I recently posted a comment over at
Talking Animal Addicts about writing challenges, and this made me start thinking. What is one of your writing challenges?
Me, I challenge myself to take notes, all day long. I
have to take notes, because with my job I do not always have the luxury of writing full scenes as they come to me. That has to wait until lunch break at least! But I always have post-its in my pocket, and when that little voice speaks inside my brain, I KNOW I'm going to regret it if I don't write a note down and capture the essence of the idea. If I leave it and try to commit it to memory alone, I know that little gem of an idea will go away and ne'er return. I have piles and piles of post-its that I bring home, with occasional snippets of dialogue and quick sketches of characters done while I'm on the phone and able to multi-task. These are my "scraplets." Once I get them home I input them in the computer. Some become full-fledged novel ideas. Others simmer on the back burner of the "Hmm" stove until I can decide whether they're usable or not.
Another challenge I set for myself is to always, always,
always write down my vivid dreams. I've jerked myself awake before, sitting upright and grappling for a pen before I've fully woken in order to frantically scribble down details before I forget them. I've had three fully-plotted stories come to me, and I've actually finished the manuscript for one just the other day, and it's a doozy! So, always write down your dreams.
How about you? What is your writing challenge, or goal you recommend for other writers?
Until later, God Bless!
Cat
Thanks for offering that challenge suggestion on T.A.A., Cat, I hope others come soon. It's not that I had a lack of ideas, but it's clear I was moving in a direction that overwhelmed people instead of motivating them.
ReplyDeleteWell, it got ME thinking about challenges, so thanks for that. I wasn't sure what to post for today until I commented on your blog, so we helped each other. :)
ReplyDeleteKat, taking notes is really useful for me, too. And I scribble down my dreams on the mornings after (hopeful that I remember them) and these are great sources of story inspirations. :)
ReplyDeleteCat, I have mini notebooks and a digital voice recorder in my purse at all times. Yesterday I stopped for gas and used both! LOL. You never know when those ideas are going to strike. And like you, I can't rely on my memory. I have to get them down at that moment.
ReplyDeleteI love dreams like that! Those are the best!
ReplyDelete