Five Ways to Sharpen your Writing on a Dull Day

by Maureen L. Bonatch 

Time. 

Most of us are in search a way to make the most out of the twenty-four hours we’re allotted. Despite how we might like to spend our day, our time is often filled with things we need or have to do.

So what do you do when you’d rather be writing (or escaping into a good story) but you’re obligated to physically be somewhere else? Then once you sit down to write you don’t know where to start.

No worries.

There are no chains on your imagination. Harness this time to exercise your muse and save your ideas and inspiration for later.

Think of that meeting – conference – event – boring task, as Multitasking or…Research.

1. Eavesdrop

·      Now don’t be creepy and hover for the whole conversation. Snagging a snippet of conversation and making a story from there or developing an interesting character makes it more fun!

As much as you’re tempted to stay to find out the rest of the conversation- don’t! Make it up for yourself. The muse loves to be challenged.

Here are a few interesting comments I heard over the last 24 hours: “You’re my unicorn.” (Seriously- you can’t make this stuff up) and “It started at breakfast.”

 2. What if?

·      What do you do when you’re ‘bored out of your gourd’ but obligated to stay? Play the “What if…” game and escape the ordinary with your imagination.

Just Imagine: What if the speaker had wings? Or What if while I was folding laundry that noise in the garage was the start of the zombie apocalypse? Or How would people respond if I ran screaming out of the meeting?

  

3. What’s their story?

·      This is a game I’ve played with my girls while on vacation at a busy boardwalk, or in a mall. Pick someone and study the person intently-but not enough to freak them out.

Then decide –What’s their story? What are they doing here? What are they thinking?

4. Body language

·      Close your eyes and listen to the speaker’s voice, or the people talking around you.  How would you describe their voice? Take a look around. Can you jot down some interesting body language or gestures for a future character?

Me: A lady nearby sneezed with the sound of a squeaky toy. I thought my dog had somehow interrupted the meeting to lure me out to play.

5. Appearance

·      When you’re around a large group of people, this is the perfect time to compare the various colors of blue or…

The texture and style of a woman’s hair- or a man lacking hair. The plethora of body builds. Clothing styles. Mannerisms.

Go ahead, ‘draw’ your characters in your mind.

Make sure you write down all your great ideas and writing prompts.

Do you have any creativity games you do while you multitask that you’d like to share?

About the Author:

Maureen writes stories in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania that boast laughter, light suspense and something magical in the hope of sharing her love of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary world. She writes Paranormal Romance and Fantasy.

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