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April 05, 2007

Writing Prompts & Exercises: Are They Worth the Effort?

How do you feel about writing exercises? Have you ever written to the daily Writing Prompts at WritersDigest.com? Or how about last month's "Idols of March Writing Contest" hosted by Miss Snark, the mysterious blogging literary agent? Did you participate? Would you?

I remember a couple of years back when I was teaching at the annual "Remember the Magic" conference at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY sponsored by the International Women’s Writing Guild. I was responsible for teaching a nuts-and-bolts class on writing personal essays. While there, however, the instructors were able and encouraged to participate in any of the classes (they usually have around 70 speakers, so there’s definitely something for everyone).

In addition to the nuts-and-bolts classes, they offered others of a more touchy-feely nature -- you know, like role playing, releasing the muse, and the like. I figured I’d fill my schedule by attending the nut-and-bolts lectures about writing book proposals and perfecting the query letter. In those classes, I wrote out the homework every night, all related to improving and marketing my then-work-in-progress that eventually became The Frantic Woman’s Guide to Life (Warner Books).

One afternoon, however, I had an open slot, with no nuts-and-bolts classes to attend. And I, being the killer conference attendee who never skipped a session, found myself opening the door to one of the touchy-feely classes. When I walked in, I noticed the desks were situated in a large circle, unlike the more traditional classroom settings of the others I had taught and taken.

Even before finding a seat, I was asked to place something personal by the candle in the middle of the room. All I had on me was a notebook, a pencil, and the clothes I was wearing. Reluctant to offer my shoes or my skirt, I remembered my sunglasses were atop my head. So off they went to be placed by the candle for, I don’t know, energy or inspiration or something. My Oakleys leaned against one woman’s journal , someone else’s crystal, and a couple of stones, pieces of jewelry, etc. I took a seat across the room, as there were no unoccupied desks near the door. I guessed I wouldn’t be slipping out of this one. Right away, we were told to stand, feet shoulder-length apart, close our eyes, and allow whatever came to mind to work its way to the front of our consciousnesses, or whatever. Here goes, I thought. I guess I have to do this.

I stood a moment and didn’t close my eyes. But I was soon caught by the instructor and succumbed to the exercise. Okay, eyes closed, I waited for something to pop into my brain. Instead, I saw nothing, a big gray blob of nothing. Come on, I encouraged my whatever-it-was that needed the nudging. Give me something.

Then, it came. A rock. I had received a rock. The blob of gray had transformed itself to a boulder on the edge of a construction site next to an abandoned building, an old psychiatric hospital, to be exact. This was great. I was doing an exercise unrelated to my nonfiction book idea. I had grown and broadened my horizons. Yippee!

As it turned out, the setting I envisioned in that circle of women (complete with inspriational candle) worked its way into the climax of a novel draft I wrote a couple of years later. Like the gray globule in my mind that day, I was transformed -- from a non-exercise participator to one who recognized the value of such activities.

After that experience at Skidmore, I have gone on to participate in other exercises I might have previously viewed as a waste of time. I’ve made picture collages of my characters, including how they morph from beginning to end. I have been known to drive around town for at least two days snapping photos of homes in which my characters might live. I've also photographed their fictitious workplaces and even their cars. Not only did it feel like sleuthing fun, the photos provided a visual reference for my characters' personalities and environments, that in turn helped to complicate their lives and further the plot.

What about you? How do you feel about writing prompts and exercises? Do you use them? Has any such exercise ever led to something truly productive for you?

I’ll leave you with a prompt that you can do with what you will:
Name one of your personality traits you would change, if you could (with little or no effort). Write a brief paragraph about how your life would be different without the burden of that trait. Can you use this new you to enhance your writing productivity? Or might you introduce such a trait in your protagonist or, better yet, your antagonist?

Best wishes to all during these Easter and Passover seasons! Enjoy!

Posted by Judy at April 5, 2007 10:56 AM

Comments

I enjoyed reading your post, Judy. Your experience at the writing conference sounds amazing and truly uplifting.

As for writing exercises, I tend to skip them. I'm more of a nuts-and-bolts person. I like lectures. I like taking notes. When it comes to exercises, though, I draw a blank. I think they are most definitely worthwhile, if I could just train myself to put the time into doing them.

Posted by: Kristine at April 6, 2007 03:29 AM

Well, you just encouraged me to give these a try! I have a book on writing character emotions, and I've been jumping over the exercises...maybe I'll go back and give it a whirl.

Posted by: Christy at April 6, 2007 12:55 PM

Hi Judy, I don't know how to categorize myself in terms of exercises. I can get bogged down in any sort of "class" and whatever "lesson" is at hand. I over do and get tangled in how what I learned intellectually should play out in my work. There's a huge disconnect for me, no matter what the topic. I love learning about the topic and I wrestle with whatever concept it is but then I have to step back and just let the writing happen without a lot of interference from any structured use of tools. Now, I do a lot of the touchy feely stuff all the time in my normal life, searching for seeds of life that might expand my thinking, my ability. I don't know, I'm not anti-anything--I'm open to trying just about anything, but then I have to remove myself from that and just write. Or, I'm in denial...Have a great weekend!

Posted by: kathie at April 6, 2007 12:56 PM

Like you, Kristine & Christy, I am usually reluctant to spend valuable time on exercises that aren't directly related to my work. In fact, Christy, your experience reminded me of one I had when reading Elizabeth George's book Write Away (the book is a great writing tool, by the way). As I read her advice about detailing character profiles and writing first what scenes would be about, before actually writing them, I didn't pull out the pen. "I know my characters," I thought.

A while later (after I had written myself into a brick wall), I went back and wrote several pages for each character, including the minor ones. Wow! After writing those 75 pages or so and rereading them, plot twists and subplot ideas came sprouting forth!

I can't wait to see how things go for you, Christy, after writing out those character emotions. And Kristine, I'm sure all the knowledge from those lecture notes will fill in any cracks in your next draft!

Kathie, it's great you're open to all types of explorative tools! I am becoming moreso as the years progress. And you are better than you think at applying what you know. Often, we writers are quite hard on ourselves, thinking we should be producing Steinbeck-quality material after once or twice through it! It's easier said than done, I think, but we should lighten up and let it flow (a tough task for us over-thinkers)!

Best to all of you! Thanks for your support and your insightful thoughts!

Posted by: Judy Schneider at April 6, 2007 06:52 PM

There's no one here to prompt, or offer exercise. The muse is silent.

Posted by: TC at April 6, 2007 08:47 PM

I'm usually game to try new things (although I think the candle may have scared me away!), and I've tried a few writing prompts for fun. Ideas pop into my head when I least expect it, with or without prompts - when my mind is engaged in some activity it already knows how to do (driving,cleaning, walking, etc. - most often NOT when I'm writing :) I'll look for more prompts. Happy Easter, Judy!

Posted by: Susan at April 7, 2007 10:26 AM

TC, TC, where is that muse? Try reading over some of my past blog entries to stir her from her slumber! Or how about reading over the 365 prompts on the Writers Digest Website? We must shake her up again! You might even try placing your sunglasses near a candle, standing with feet shoulder-lenghth apart, and closing your eyes. What came to mind? Let us know!

Susan, you are right about great things popping into your head when you're busy doing other things. In the morning shower and when I should be sleeping in the middle of the night are my two most fruitful times!

Happy Easter and Passover!

Posted by: Judy Schneider at April 7, 2007 11:06 AM

As always, Judy--you inspired me. I am definitely a nuts-and-bolts, make the list and highlight what gets done, task-oriented kind of gal. I am not necessarily put-off by the touchy-feely exercises when faced with them, but I don't seek them out. I "did" your prompt, albeit in my head instead of on paper. I envisioned a less detail-oriented, more spontaneous me, especially pertaining to a writing project which is dear to my heart. Who knows--maybe your prompt will propel me forward. Stay tuned, and thanks. I hope your Easter was wonderful.

Posted by: Mary at April 9, 2007 12:07 AM

Thanks, Mary! I'm delighted to hear I inspired you! Your post reminds me of a quote by Johannes Brahms who said, "Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind."

So Mary, the time has come to stop shaking that reed. Pluck it and craft it into a basket worth sharing! Good luck!

Posted by: Judy Schneider at April 9, 2007 09:48 AM

I don't like the canned prompts in books or articles, but I do like to run with things that pop unexpectedly into my day. Recently I've been into keeping other people's grocery lists. Every time I find one in the bottom of a cart or in the parking lot I stick it in a folder. I try to imagine the person who would buy the list. It is quirky, but I like it!

Thanks for sharing your inspiration too Judy!

Kathy

Posted by: Kathy at April 11, 2007 09:28 AM

Ohmygosh, Kathy, I love the idea of treasuring the grocery lists of others. I'm usually so annoyed by them that I pick them up with a tissue and discard!

I have an idea for you, Kathy! Please contact me off the board so we can discuss it. judy@fatplum.com

Thanks for the comment!

Posted by: Judy Schneider at April 12, 2007 09:08 AM