I've had a very stuck period after Nano when I haven't written anything, not even a "thank you" letter. (Guilt strikes me. I must get some letters out today.)
Then today I found OneTwoFiver and I've got the start of a new story going! I don't think that particular story is going anywhere but the important thing is I'm writing again.
The OneTwoFiver webpage gets you to write just one word. Then two. Then five, ten, twenty, fifty... By the time you get to a hundred, the words are flowing. It's a great idea, because anyone can write just one word. What's interesting to me is that I ended up writing something totally different from my usual stuff: about a guy waking up in a wood after a party and not knowing how he got there.
16 COMMENTS:
Hi, FH.
This is a good post. I'm glad you're writing. I know how it feels when I'm writing (as opposed to blogging).
You have gone and made me feel guilty, however. It's been a while since I've actually written anything. (I don't count the blog.)
I've rationalized myself because I have been involved in massive editing, but now I'm not even doing that.
I took a look at OneTwoFiver. I liked my first word. My next two told me I should probably wait until I complete my blog rounds.
The first word that popped into my head was "love". How did you begin, if I may ask?
happy
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absolute zero
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climbing up a gum tree
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It wasn't the kangaroo that was the problem. Geoff started
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the day badly but waking up with his head in a sack.
The story took off from there! There's no kangaroo, no absolute zero and I think the sack is going to go but it got me started.
I had 'gift' — oh what a weird time of year this is.
Bananowrimo.
Bananowrimo! You're always funny, Whirl.
Did you really only have one word?
I did a similar exercise when I studied surrealism at university many years ago: we had to just write without trying to make any kind of sense. It wasn't as easy in French, though.
Oh FH thank you. I too have not written a word on the WIP since November and although I am feeling like I'd like to write I just couldn't get myself started. I've already written around 100 words and the scene is starting to take shape.
However now I have to take Daughter out so I hope the muse is still with me when I get back.
You are my Angel of the day!
I don't think I've ever been called an Angel. Thank you!
Hello again.
I just wanted to repeat my thank you by tellling you I just completed all 888 words. What I wound up writing (it almost felt like autowriting, although I was controlling it) is pointing me in a direction I would never have dreamed (consciously).
Thanks again for the direction.
That's really a cool idea. Glad to see you writing again!
I love the tools you find to help with writing. Thanks for this link!
Glad you all liked it.
Another thumbs up for the link!
Sx
I love the idea of studying surrealism. It's a kind of academic oxymoron.
Thanks scarlet!
It could be said to be oxymoronic. I'm not sure about the 'oxy' though.
Oooh, that's a neat site! I've been thinking about a scene and trying to decide whether to cut it or expand it. I started with the setting:
coast
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icy cold
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wind ripping through stunted trees
And then I brought in the main character and let her ramble.
Although I ended up with 888 words of telling (and lots of whinging, she's a moody thing), I did eventually hit on three issues that should be brought into the story, two of which will fit into that scene I was thinking about.
Neat stuff. Will try it for non-fiction next.
And I can't wait to hear more about Geoff !
Hi Sylvia! It's good fun, isn't it? I wouldn't hold your breath while you wait to find out about Geoff though. I seem to be better at starting than I am at finishing.
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