"DRESSING UP FOR WRITING IDEAS"
by Sheridan (svali) Waldrop

Ideas are the mannequin which the writer wraps with the clothing of his or her style, to create a new work. One of the more difficult tasks for writers of every genre, is coming up with new, fresh creative ideas.

This article will be directed at helping you, the writer, find ideas that you can "try on for size". But of course only you can decide on how to use (and wear) them. Let's see if some fit!

1. Wear what Fits Best
(also known as "write what you know")
Every writer has heard this advice, and it has merit.
The better you know your subject, the more believable a writer you will be. Whether you're writing an article about how to refinish furniture, a short story on the miracle of motherhood, or a poem of life. Knowing your subject may include research. This means work: going to the library, archives on the net,or other sources, and learning all you can about the subject you want to write about.

A good fit will read more comfortably than a "fashion" that has never been tried on before, or researched.


2. What's in Vogue?
(or, the Smart Shopper knows the Market)
I am not in any way advocating plagiarism. But reading what others are writing, may spark an idea for you, the writer who needs ideas. Reading about the medical field, may trigger a memory of Aunt Vivian, who was ill, and the time you nursed her. This could be the start of a story about aging and the elderly, and how the health care system treats them; or a vignette about an aging woman.

All artists, whether writers, painters, craftspeople, learn through sharing ideas. So, be a voracious reader, and make a habit of looking through magazines for articles or poetry. Go to the local library, visit local bookstores, and see what is being written about and published.

After all, even the greatest "fashion designers" go to the fall and spring shows, to see what's new and envogue.


3.Create a quilt that you can use
(on those cold, wintery days of writer's block)
Whether in a notebook, or diary, try to collect and
save clips of articles that have sparked an idea; or
notes on ideas that may become future poetry or stories. Writers are creative people, and ideas, when they come, often flow quickly. They may also be forgotten quickly, which is tragic.

Don't let your ideas dissolve away because you can't remember what you wanted to write about. Get in the habit of having a notebook handy to keep these ideas in. As time goes on, you may have "pieced together" a quilt full of ideas that you can fall back on when you need them.


4.If it doesn't fit, take it back to the store
(don't throw away your mistakes)
These can often be rewritten at a later time,
as you develop as a writer. Very few writers create
a "perfect" work the first time through. Don't
throw away your duds; keep them, as they may
spark a rewrite, or take off. Your second, or third,
or fourth rewrite may be the one that succeeds, so
don't give up if the first draft is rough. The best
writers keep trying over and over again. They keep
"sewing" or "trying it on" until the piece fits.


5.The fashion of real life
(conversations with friends)
Sometimes conversations with friends and family members can be the start of a great story or poem idea. Remember Christmas back, when the tree fell down? That might make a great humor piece. Or, remember the Thanksgiving when Joey was in the service, and couldn't make it home? That may be the beginning of a poignant poem about missing someone during the holidays.

Maybe a conversation on ethics at work, or comments heard from friends, will be the beginning of a piece on that very subject.

Writers are good listeners; they observe the world
around themselves. This observation will then lead to writing. Weave in the conversational "threads" that you pick up into your stories, and you may find the "right fit" soon enough.


6. Join a sewing bee
(on writers groups)
The interchange between people with a common interest can often be just the catalyst to get you writing. A writing group can also be a place to get help with your writing, such as critiques, and the honest opinion of others. These groups can be an invaluable tool, both for ideas, and help as you develop your skills.

You might be surprised at the "fashionable ideas" that you get in these groups!


7. Sew, sew, sew
(keep writing, no matter what)
Every writer, especially a new one, fears how their work will be perceived, and this often keeps them from writing. Try sitting at the computer, and just type out whatever comes to mind. You will be surprised at what you may think of, as you begin typing. If this isn't enough, try giving yourself some exercises, and see what you come up with.


Some fashion (writing) ideas:
a. Create a design (character): Just for fun, create a
character. Fill in the following blanks:
hair color______________
eye color_______________
body build______________
sex_____________________
age_____________________

Now, write a short paragraph, where you describe your character.

b.Create a fashion show:(create a scene): with the
above, now put your character into a scene(prose), or into a poem (describe his thoughts, feelings, reactions). Use your imagination, this is just for fun, no grades! Some of the best writing starts out just for fun, and then takes off.

c.Take the new fashion to the ballroom:
(create a conflict) now give your character a problem he or she has to solve. Again, just have fun. Whether it's a tired single mother, trying to figure out how to pay her bills, or an aging man struggling with his decreased productivity, or even a teenager worried about whether the new boy in school will like her, life is full of conflict. If poetry is your genre, perhaps describe the ambivalence inherited in certain relationships: "parting is such sweet sorrow...."

Keep it short, as you do these exercises. Later,
they may become notes, or serve as springboard for a short story, or article, or poem. Start keeping a filewith these "mini notes", or ideas.

These are just a few thoughts, on how to generate
ideas for writing. Now, go have fun, and good luck
creating your new design!

(C)1999, svali ([email protected])