Writing is a daunting task. Even a short story can stop a writer in their tracks. Nothing is original. Every plot is a collection of derivatives from various sources.  Most source material comes from mythology, and oral fables from around the world. The beautiful part of creating a tale lies in the approach the author uses to tell the narrative. This article contains a few creative exercises that may generate ideas to get words on the page.

Hands Exercise

One of my first homework assignments in my creative writing program is to start a scene by describing a character’s hands. This seems like an odd choice, but a person’s hands can reveal various facts about them. What texture is the skin? Smooth or full of calluses? How are their nails? Clean and trim?  Bitten to the edge with bloody cuticles? Any tattoos? Scars? Jewelry? Notes written in pen?

Imagine, the cute server at the protagonist’s favorite diner wrote a phone number on the palm of the main character’s hand. The phone number smudges, either from the relentless downpour outside, or a quick attempt to get rid of the number before a significant other jumps to conclusions. An alternative approach is someone finds a bookbag, purse, or phone. The movie A Cinderella Story is a good example of getting to know a stranger from a personal item.

Appropriated Forms

Appropriated forms are when authors take something with a format and use said format to structure a novel. TTYL by Lauren Myracle is a brilliant example because the entire book is a group chat between three best friends. The goal is to use the “rules” of whatever medium the creator chooses to implement.For instance, a budding office romance saga told through corporate emails utilizes the jargon and style of a typical communication between business associates. A break up told through Venmo notes means that emojis and 180 character limits influence the parameters of the situation.

Photo/ Art Story

Photo stories are when the author tells the event leading up to the moments    a photo is taken. Objects can also be a good option. Books, sculptures, and pieces of art. Songs work too. A young woman listening to “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus to mourn a recent break up while she is putting away items from the old relationship. Let whatever direction inspiration comes from guide the project. Surprises come from any variety of different places, and lead to the best novels.

Don’t stop writing because of a lack of solutions to an age old problem.These three exercises help produce ideas. Be open to the possibilities, and a new approach may reveal itself.

Editor: Claudia Cramer