Writers write. You shouldn't wait around for inspiration to
come. But sometimes, there are days you can't get anything
written down. Or you're at a loss for words. You can't think
of anything to write. You don't have any idea what to write
about.
And then you end up believing you're having writer's block.
You end up believing it too much that you stop writing
altogether. You might even think of yourself as not a real
writer.
And all because of what? You think your muse deserted you?
You think you have a 7-year writer's block plague?
Think again!
There's no such thing as writer's block. And you sure as
heck don't need inspiration to write!
What you do need are prompts to help get your writer's mind
working and your hands writing or typing.
I call these prompts SEEDS. They are your beginnings; the
glimmer; the little sparks that you can shape and fashion
into stories, articles, essays and features.
You don't need inspiration. All you need is an idea. A SEED.
And here are a dozen seeds you can try out for yourself --
1. The first typewriter was patented on July 23, 1829.
Interview some of the writers in your group and find
out how they write. You can develop this into a light-
hearted articles about writers.
2. Many fictional characters are not fictional at all.
Write about one real person who has been fictionalized.
3. Electricity is a recent discovery. Think of 10
things to do when there's no power.
4. Pirates no longer just refer to the highwaymen of
the seas. There are different breeds of pirates today.
Write about today's pirates and what they're pirating.
5. Many words in the English language come from the
names of people -- such as mesmerize (from Mesmer,
a hypnotist). Find out more words from people's names
and write the story behind the words.
6. The US Declaration of Independence begins with this
line: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that
all men are created equal..." Write you own Declaration
of Independence by using the same line as your starting
point.
7. How do you start a fan club? Write a how-to on
organizing a fan club for a favorite author, singer,
actor or sports figure.
8. How do planets die?
9. Expound or dispute this: "Where science ends,
religion begins."
10. Take a look at your bookshelf. Pick one book
and write a review of it.
11. How is privacy invaded on the Internet?
12. Write an article on how to choose a pet. Target
your piece for kids aged 7-10.
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.
