The Bottomless Notebook
Reading through a writer's notebook or journal is like
discovering pearls, rubies and diamonds amidst a pile of rubble.
That little notebook is a powerhouse of ideas for every writer:
The more you write down bits and pieces of your thoughts and
observations, the more you are adding into the well of ideas for
future works.
Here are a few things you can record in your notebook or
journal, so that in case you run out of ideas to write about,
you can refer to it:
Your Shoeboxed Life: Write what you know, feel and experience.
Jot down snippets of events in your life. Write a sentence or a
paragraph about a funny, embarrassing, happy or infuriating
experience.
The Interesting People. Scribble descriptions of people you meet
every day. How do they react in certain situations? How do their
names fit their image?
A Word a Day. Whenever an interesting word catches your
attention, write it down. It may have a different meaning for
you a month or a year from now. If you keep a list of words in
your notebook, these words can serve as story starters for you.
Those Quotable Quotes. A meaningful quote can start you off to
writing. Collect quotes you come across that interest you.
Ordinary People with their One-Liners. Overheard lines in a
conversation can sometimes spark your creative mind. Write down
these one-liners in your notebook. They can be great story
starters.
Something You Read. Read good books. Keep a file of memorable
lines or quotes. Write down quirky billboard ads. Scan the
papers for one-liners. These are good idea stimulators.
Emotions. Describe what you feel at any given moment. If you
feel angry right now, write what your anger feels like.
Descriibe it. Use vivid words.
Writers are similar to store owners. Store owners stock their
supplies in their shelves, while you stock ideas between the
pages of your little writer's notebook.
You can make your stock endless, bottomless. You can reach down
again and again for inspiration without exhausting your notebook
of reserve.
So start stocking your writer's notebook today. A week from now,
take a peek in it and you just might find something there that
could connect your pen to paper.
Copyright (c) 2003-2004 Shery Ma Belle Arrieta-Russ