  Short Stories
This week: Edited by: Mavis Moog  
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| This month I write about seeking inspiration. I hope you find it helpful. |
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Inspiration
We all have creative lulls in our writing lives. Periods when the nitty-gritty of our existence drags us down from the creative hill-tops. Many writers find these periods upsetting and feel something has been taken away from them. I firmly believe we can take control of our creative libidos, and power-up the fiction fountains. Here are my top tips for finding inspiration.
Enter WDC Contests
I have to admit, I'm not too keen on very limiting prompts, but some of the broader contest ideas are excellent and send me on a creative roller-coaster. A current contest, which doesn't close until 31st August, is based on reminiscences. It inspired me to write about a period of my life I had never considered using before. Now, I can almost feel a full-length book coming on.
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Do Something Different
Remember, life informs art. The more we experience the more material we can draw on for our writing. If you feel your creativity is becoming lethargic, change a routine. Take a different route to work, travel on a train, visit an art gallery. There is a host of opportunities to help you see a fresh angle. I once found myself at a fair-ground with our foster son, Shane. If someone had asked me what I was likely to be doing that afternoon, I would never have guessed the correct answer. I was bamboozled by young Shane to join him in a bungee jump. Yes, I know, complete madness, but I'm so glad I did it. The experience spawned much vivid characterisation of fear and thrill.
Watch Some people
I am sure many of you do this fairly regularly anyway. Characters are the bread and butter of all fiction. You can watch people anywhere, anytime. I find trains are good, because a train journey gives you time to really study a few people quite closely, without being arrested for stalking. I love to watch small groups of people, having a conversation. I like to be too far away to actually hear what they're saying, but close enough to watch their mannerisms and interactions. Very often it only takes one person to spark off a full and exciting fictional journey. One of the first pieces I ever wrote was about a rather unpleasant character, who irritated me with his bragging, over-production of saliva and serious dandruff problem on a short train journey.
Read
Newspapers, novels, magazines and short stories can all take your mind away from the prosaic and lift you to a new plane of creativity. Tiny stories tucked away on page five of the local paper can often be the inspiration you've been looking for.
Meditate
Not everything new and exciting is to be found outside yourself. Taking a long, critical look inside can also be invigorating. I love to use meditation techniques to quieten my mind sometimes. Meditation will often open new areas of interest for me, and give me the insight to write meaningfully about them. One of my writing friends often heads her blog entries; "What I think about...." I love the way she allows herself to explore an idea, writing what occurs to her in an uninhibited flow of images and ideas. This is a rich source of inspiration for her, and for those with whom she shares her thoughts.
Set Yourself Limits
Sometimes, when free writing, for practice, I set myself some ludicrous limit. It can be anything really, something completely arbitrary, like only write about red things, or every sentence must be only six words long. This does not usually produce any magnificent work of literary art, but it does release a kind of vision which is very useful in other writing. I can only assume that the limit cuts down the distractions, which often interrupt our thoughts. I think it's a bit like writing poetry, the structure helps the poet to crystallise his ideas. Try it for yourself and you'll see what I mean.
Try Writing Parodies
If you have not already had a go at this, I urge you to do it soon. A parody is an exaggerated imitation of a style. I choose a favourite, but quite distinctive writer, read a few passages, and then endeavour to capture the style in a piece of my own writing. Not only does this exercise give you great insight into writing techniques, it also helps to draw ideas out into the open. I have parodied Shakespeare, and discovered some wonderful, untold stories. Mark Twain, Jane Austen, Edgar Allen Poe etc... all lend themselves beautifully to this treatment.
I hope at least one of these tips helps release your creative tiger. Don't forget to send me any short stories he brings to you. I'd love to feature them in Editor's Picks.
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I was not able to write a newsletter last month because I was moving house. It was a very hard and frantic weekend.
Thank you, darkin for stepping into the breech and giving us a great newsletter about keeping a journal.
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I actually cried while I was reading this - call me a softy, but I bet you will too.
A clever little twist made this story very entertaining.
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Excellent description of a seedy strip-club - that should get you interested  .
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This must be one of the most well-read stories on this site, but just in case you've not read it yet, let me point you in the right direction.
This story has a bigger picture to present.
This extremely distressing story is so well written, I want you all to read it. Be prepared to be shocked though.
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My last newsletter was about Honesty in writing. These comments were sent in response to that edition.
Nighala a.k.a. Doxie Do-Right
MM
Thanks for a great newsletter (yet again) about honesty. So often, I read a story that is tackling a big issue and it just glides over it. Giving us the gloss and none of the substance. But it's the works that delve into the emotions that stick with us. We all know about gloss, we do it when we answer "How are you?" everyday, it's what's going underneath that really makes for an excellent story.
Thanks again,
Nighala
Diane
Great advice, Mavis. Exploration of our fears and opinions is what writing should be  .
tinman
Mavis Moog: Your editorial Honesty in Fiction is perfect primer. It is going in my reference file so I can consult it as I need it.
Thank You
demor
I don't think it's possible to completely conceal yourself in a short story or novel. Some part of you will show.
Zeke
Ms Kimmie
I sit here in my little corner of Writing.Com and read your newsletter. It's always intelligent, useful, and entertaining. I never say as much, though. Instead, I appreciate it and move on. Today I thought I ought to stop for a second and just say thank you. So, thank you, Mavis Moog, for your thoughtful and insightful newsletters.
Thank you everyone who sends a comment. It's great to hear from you, even if you want to be critical, don't be nervous, send your comment now. ~ MM |
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Short Stories: July 26, 2006 Issue [#1163]
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