When my husband, Jack, handed me the comics and pointed out
“Monty” from a couple of weeks ago, he said, “Here’s you and your writer’s
block.” Okay, but it really isn’t that bad! However, I did get a chuckle out of
the comic.
Of course, the humor is really in the irony. Monty is
looking around for inspiration for his future screenplay masterpiece, when
behind him a very interesting situation is taking place. He looks out the
window and sees a taco vendor stepping in a puddle of slosh. Isn’t it really a
matter of genre though?
Monty may be missing a chance to write a science fiction
thriller about an android changing his head! Is he a robot spy putting on a new
disguise? There are lots of questions to answer there. On the other hand, he
writes about the guy he sees through the window.
Monty Comic Strip, March 16, 2014 on GoComics.com
The beauty of stories or even memories can be found in the
simplest things. I wrote about finding writing prompts in a snowflake back in
December. I might have a blind spot to something seemingly amazing, but what if
I see something as simple as a disheveled young woman stepping into a puddle, wearing boots that look
too big? I may write something like this: Amanda
didn’t care as the water sloshed up over her feet. She wiggled her toes in the dry warmth of the cast off boots she found in the dumpster. Even better, there was
room for socks if they were giving them away at the homeless shelter. But if
she went back there, she might run into him again. She wasn’t ready for the way
his piercing blue eyes studied her from across the dark, crowded soup kitchen.
It’s not the most literary piece of writing, but you get the
point. I’ve introduced a protagonist and set her in a difficult situation and
planted questions. What seems small and unexciting can turn into an interesting
story. The limit is only in the writer’s imagination.
Take a few minutes to watch the simple or spectacular. Write
a paragraph of your thoughts. What are some ways you recommend finding new or
different ideas to write about?
This week I’m celebrating my 100th blog post!
Follow or leave a comment or both, each for a chance to win a $15 Amazon gift
card. Follow and/or leave your comment by Sunday, April 13th and
leave your email addy in the form of name[at]domain[dot]com to qualify for the
drawing.
