They say editing is an art, and, whether you’re editing yourself or someone else, I believe it. Saying too much can come so easily, written or spoken, that it affects just about every genre! Though writing dialogue can be hard, I guess the dialogue between writer and audience bears some of the same challenges.
Category Archives: Writing Exercises
Lent Writing Opportunity
I posted one opportunity for writing in Lent and happily discovered another. Below is our first guest post, by Ruth Hanley, on behalf of “Spirit to Spirit: A Writer’s Community.” Nothing encourages writing quite like opportunities to do so!
Filed under As Christian Writers, Writing Exercises
Fat Tuesday Collect
Part of the history of Fat Tuesday involves going through the house to collect things. Fat, in particular, but also other rich, rather luxurious, ingredients were gathered up for pancakes or other feasting that could use up what would otherwise tempt during the Lenten fast. Or so I was taught.
Without going into the benefits and biblical encouragement toward fasting and other forms of discipline, I’ll simply offer you this one. That’s right, here is an idea for a Lenten writing exercise. Continue reading
Filed under As Christian Writers, Writing Exercises
Valentines and Imaginary Audiences
It’s getting close to Valentine’s Day, but remember the Reformation hymn contest is still going on. You have most of the month of February to work on it! I’m trying, too, but with limited success. I’ll probably post a few ideas as I, at least temporarily, give up on them.
For now it seems, my mind is more geared toward imaginary audiences. Have you considered that? Writing what you know you’ll never send/submit/seriously stand behind? It doesn’t seem like a super practical exercise, but sometimes that’s just where I am.
So here is a Valentine poem I would never send with a few writing questions following:
Filed under As Christian Writers, Writer's Life, Writing Exercises
Uninspired Poetry
Inspiration is something I hope to write about here every now and again. It seems to me that people who believe in the inspiration of Scripture can explore the lesser inspiration toward writing and the arts in a wide variety of ways. I mean, when God Himself can inspire, in addition to His creation, inspiration can become an incredibly intricate, multi-tiered concept!
Having said that, I’ve been writing lately much more from habit than from any sort of inner passion. Continue reading
Filed under Hymns, Poetry, Writing Exercises, Writing Tips
Poetry Exercises
Poetry is more than a form. It is a tool. Are you bored? Try some rhymes. Are you stuck? Feel the rhythm of a single expression; move it a little faster until you can gain a little momentum for yourself with it.
As an exercise, you can brainstorm off a single word or thought. You can work on your pacing by taking one scene and writing a single couplet, a stanza, a half-page, etc. You can step out of any problematic piece you may be working on to work on dialogue, intensity, or asides. Continue reading
Filed under Hymns, Poetry, Writing Exercises
Simply an Exercise
A person’s head can be full of inner voices as a writer. There may be characters, scenarios, and expressions jumbled on top of a personal to do list, grocery list, and the conversation you happen to be having at any particular moment.
Of course, there are the worries and self-doubt too. Maybe even nagging criticisms (from yourself and others). Let me remind you of a beautiful, beautiful expression, “Simply an exercise.” Continue reading
Filed under Wordplay, Writing Exercises