Imposter syndrome is real. A novel idea that won’t go away. Stories that stay in drawers won’t become the next literary phenomenon. Writing can be torture. Each word feels like navigating a field of Legos barefoot in total darkness. After a few sore toes with a stream of curse words, the end is in sight. Here are a few writing exercises for those days when words seem impossible.

Hand Exercise 

The story starts with a description of hands. It could be the main characters’ hands, or someone they are watching. Maybe a lover’s, or their worst enemy. Readers can tell a lot by a character’s hands. Are they smooth or rough with fresh bruises? How are their nails? Clean and shiny? Full of dirt and grime? Is their skin soft? Do they have any calluses or cuts? It’s a more engaging way to present facts about the characters.

Social Media Account

Everyone always wonders what their favorite characters’ social media accounts might look like. Authors can create a fan page. Give the characters all of the elements that someone has on their socials.What is their username? Is there a profile picture? Describe it. The type of posts they might have on their feed? Who they might follow? Any comments on posts? It’s important to keep things current with the technology and period of your story. Letters, newspapers, magazine articles, or telegrams. This can apply to any media a character uses to communicate with other people in the story. These elements are good for bonus content or marketing posts for your book in the future.

“Chat” with Characters 

There isn’t an app or anything for the specific characters in the novel in question.However, where are the characters when they aren’t being written about? Imagine all of the characters sitting together. How do they interact with each other? Imagine their feelings about their portrayal in the story. Will they have a lot to say? Can the characters defend themselves? Who is “chatting” the most? Record it all down since it could come in handy later.

Switch Something

Another technique is to try switching an aspect of the story. Gender bend the characters, change the setting, point of view, or genre. Explore the exercise for a few pages and see what happens. It allows the writer to play a little in the world they create. Who knows what discoveries will occur?

Writing is a challenge. It’s easy to feel confusion and talentless. Have fun with the landscape of the mind. Play around in there a little. Mix things up. Good imposters can change the world with a little confidence.