Often writers look for exercises that will help them break out of their rut, or they look for ways to come up with new ideas for books. Well, I unintentionally found the perfect way to do this.
My son is five, and instead of reading a book every night before bed, about two years ago he started asking me to make up a story. So I obliged. He's five...there was no pressure...easy-peasy. The next night he wanted another one. The next night he wanted two. By the end of the week we were at three original stories per night.
I quickly realized these stories didn't have to be perfect. They didn't even have to have a real plot. They just needed to entertain.
Once I ran out of story ideas, I began to asking him for the subject of each story, and it became an exercise in creativity. One night he wanted three stories about a suitcase. Around Christmas, each night was three stories about Mr. Grinch.
During the past two years I have told over 2000 original stories. Some nights I am truly tapped out. But forcing myself to make up something - anything - is always beneficial.
One night I decided to tell a story about a character I had come up with but had had trouble finding a plot. When I was forced to make up a story about him on the spot, suddenly I found myself telling a story that actually worked! It is now one of the books we will soon submit to editors.
So if you have a kid, or if you know a kid, make up stories for him! It will force you to find the stories that are deep inside you...sometimes bad, sometimes weird, but sometimes great!
My son is five, and instead of reading a book every night before bed, about two years ago he started asking me to make up a story. So I obliged. He's five...there was no pressure...easy-peasy. The next night he wanted another one. The next night he wanted two. By the end of the week we were at three original stories per night.
I quickly realized these stories didn't have to be perfect. They didn't even have to have a real plot. They just needed to entertain.
Once I ran out of story ideas, I began to asking him for the subject of each story, and it became an exercise in creativity. One night he wanted three stories about a suitcase. Around Christmas, each night was three stories about Mr. Grinch.
During the past two years I have told over 2000 original stories. Some nights I am truly tapped out. But forcing myself to make up something - anything - is always beneficial.
One night I decided to tell a story about a character I had come up with but had had trouble finding a plot. When I was forced to make up a story about him on the spot, suddenly I found myself telling a story that actually worked! It is now one of the books we will soon submit to editors.
So if you have a kid, or if you know a kid, make up stories for him! It will force you to find the stories that are deep inside you...sometimes bad, sometimes weird, but sometimes great!
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