Reading the contents in a writer's notebook or journal is
like opening and discovering a chest full of pearls, rubies
and diamonds amidst a pile of rubble and discarded things.
That little notebook is a powerhouse of ideas for every
writer: The more you write down bits and pieces of your
thoughts and observations, the more you are adding into the
well of ideas for future works.
In case you run out of ideas to write about, you can always
look within the pages of your writer's notebook or journal.
So here are several things you can record in your notebook:
A SHOEBOXED LIFE
Write what you know, feel and experience, right? So jot
down snippets of events in your life. Write a sentence or
a paragraph about a funny, embarrassing, happy, or
infuriating experience.
PEOPLE PROFILES
Write down descriptions of the people you meet each day. How
do they react in certain situations? How do their names fit
their image?
WORD ESTATE
Whenever an interesting word catches your attention, write
it down. It may have a different meaning for you a month or
a year from now. If you keep a list of words in your
notebook, the words can serve as story starters for you.
CANDID QUOTES AND ONE-LINERS
Kids say the most unexpected things, and people say the most
interesting, surprising or even shocking lines when we least
expect to hear them say these lines. Overheard lines in a
conversation can sometimes spark your creative mind. Write
down these one-liners in your notebook. They can be great
story starters.
GOOD BOOKS AND QUIRKY ADS
Read good books. Keep a file of memorable lines or quotes.
Write down quirky billboard ads. Scan the papers for
one-liners. These are good idea stimulators.
EMOTIONS AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT
Describe what you feel at any given moment. If you feel
angry right now, write what your anger feels like. Describe
it. Use vivid words. Don't skimp on adjectives.
Writers are like store owners: Store owners stock supplies
in their shelves, while we writers stock ideas between the
pages of our notebooks.
It's endless. It's bottomless. You can reach down again and
again for inspiration without exhausting your notebook of
reserve.
So take a peek in your notebook and you just might find
something there that could connect your pen to the paper
on your desk.
Shery Ma Belle Arrieta
mailto:publisher@ewritersplace.com
Shery is the creator and author of the exciting
new series of ebooks for writers, SEEDS: Ideas for the Everyday
(Non-Fiction) Writer. You can download a FREE sampler at
http://ewritersplace.com/seeds.html. The July SEEDS ebook
contains 82 idea seeds, all based on historical events.
Visit http://www.thepublishedwriter.com/report1002.html.
