Below are some quick writing exercises to help get that inner muse working with you. I enjoy doing writing exercises, particularly in times of "crisis" - that writer's block that just won't loosen it's grip. Simple exercises seem to be able to shake it loose when I follow a few self-imposed "rules".

I suggest not taking to long to analyze a writing exercise. Sit down in a place where you will be uninterupted for at least 15 minutes. Choose an exercise and as the catchy slogan says "just do it", don't think about it, don't try to make it the next prize-winning writing etc. The goal here is just to write in general, not to criticize yourself into deeper writer's block peril.

I also suggest making writing exercises a daily habit. If you only engage in them when you are feeling blocked etc. it tells your brain "hey I can't do this on my own". Also, try various types of writing exercises. It doesn't matter if they sound dumb - really. Noone will read them but you, unless you're crazy like me and do a website and share them ;). Who knows you may even enjoy a good laugh, or cry - whatever. Engaging in different styles opens up doors to new areas of creativity. Sometimes, just making the mind work in unique ways unleashes a flood of creative ideas. Don't accept limitations. Try a little of everything on your plate, as grandma used to say "If you really don't like it you don't have to try it again."

Enjoy the exercises posted here. For more exercises please join the Free writer's forum.

Writing Exercise 1:

You are an inanimate object of your choice, (select something in your room with you like your computer or a painting or whatever). Without saying what you are, write a descriptive paragraph about yourself that helps others to discover what you are as they read. Speak from first person, bringing yourself "to life". You can't say in the piece what it is that you are. Be creative and incorporate all the senses. You can make this a poem, paragraph, short story whatever you like. Have fun!

Writing Exercise 2:

This is a more serious exercise that can be used as a journal entry or as a start to another piece. In this exercise in 500 words or less write of a grief experience. For those of us that have lost loved ones in the past choose one person and bring him/her to life through your writing. What are your fondest memories, or difficult memories you still need to deal with? What reminds you most of this person? If you could speak to this person again what one thing would you want to tell them about your life since they have crossed?

These are just some ideas of things you can ask yourself to bring the writing forward. You can do this as a journal entry, or write an essay or poem in memory of this person, or even a letter. The point is to keep it at 500 words or less, yet still make it heartfelt and descriptive. Don't just skim the surface really go deep into the feelings, memories etc associated with this person.

Writing Exercise 3:

This is a word association exercise:

On top of the page list each season going across the page.
Spring Summer Fall Winter

Under each season come up with one color, emotion, scent or flavor, and sound to correspond to each. Incorporate all of these into a sensory descriptive piece on the seasons. It can be an essay or poem, even a journal entry explaining why you chose the associations that you did.

Writing Exercise 4:

Challenging but fun, take the following list of seemingly unrelated words and combine all of them into a short story.

bird
highway
restaraunt
forest
home
laughter
snake
calendar
holiday
lake

Writing Exercise 5:

Write a "backwards story" starting from the ending and working back to the beginning. This way you've already finished writing your story and you can return to it later to fill in the details. ©2001-2007 Christin Snyder All Rights Reserved