15 Octobertoday's thought: There's a reason 'men' is how the word 'menial' begins, and that's the extent of my sexism.
If you're in danger of hurtling into November plotless, and if you're one of those persons who would not want to go into battle unarmed, then I have two (or three) exercises for you. I might only get to describing two in this entry. I didn't invent these exercises. I read about them and practice them.
1. You'll need: pen, paper or notebook, and an alarm clock.
First, early morning writing. Set your alarm earlier than usual, and while still groggy, write. Before you pee, talk to anyone, check your mobile for Facebook updates, pick up a pen and write. Write until you 'wake up.' Julia Cameron, an Alcoholics Anonymous alumna, prescribes three pages. That's up to you, but write whatever crosses your mind during this sleepy state: memories of your dream, what you plan to do today, what bugs you, what your hopes and dreams are. No set theme but just write stream-of-consciousness. Let the pages accumulate. Don't reread these morning's pages until the eve of 30th October. In recurring complaints, gripes, themes, you'll find a germ idea that's personal to you that you can turn into a plot/storyline.
First, early morning writing. Set your alarm earlier than usual, and while still groggy, write. Before you pee, talk to anyone, check your mobile for Facebook updates, pick up a pen and write. Write until you 'wake up.' Julia Cameron, an Alcoholics Anonymous alumna, prescribes three pages. That's up to you, but write whatever crosses your mind during this sleepy state: memories of your dream, what you plan to do today, what bugs you, what your hopes and dreams are. No set theme but just write stream-of-consciousness. Let the pages accumulate. Don't reread these morning's pages until the eve of 30th October. In recurring complaints, gripes, themes, you'll find a germ idea that's personal to you that you can turn into a plot/storyline.
2. You'll need: rubber gloves, brush, detergent of choice
Second exercise. Get down on all fours and scrub your floor clean. If your living room is already spotless do the bathroom, the bedroom, the windows. Any repetitive activity can become a meditative activity, and may induce a state where a plot may arise from your creative mind.
Second exercise. Get down on all fours and scrub your floor clean. If your living room is already spotless do the bathroom, the bedroom, the windows. Any repetitive activity can become a meditative activity, and may induce a state where a plot may arise from your creative mind.
I did this this morning and found a plot idea already. It's quite different from what I plan for NaNo 2015, so I am reserving it for later writing.
