| archives - creativity
For those of you who've missed some of the changing items at the Scriptorium, they're collected here for browsing. Click on the section you're interested in reviewing.
quotes | on writing | reading | creativity | end of page
freewriting | pictures | homework
freewriting
Write a 250-word story about finding the perfect gift.
* * * * *
Write a 250-word story in which a magic spell goes wrong.
* * * * *
Write a 250-word story in which someone is fired.
* * * * *
Write for ten minutes, describing your personal writing space in as much detail as you can.
* * * * *
Write for ten minutes on the subject of "goodbyes".
* * * * *
Write a one-page scene, at least half dialogue, containing the following elements: a coffee shop, a man and a woman, and an argument.
* * * * *
Test your word power! Quickly jot down the definition for each of the following words - if you aren't sure, guess. Then check your answers in the dictionary. How did you do?
rapproachement
otiose
jeremiad
solecism
desideratum
* * * * *
Choose a common word and quickly list as many rhymes for it as possible. Now compose a poem, using as many of the rhymes as you can.
* * * * *
Make a list of five interesting personality qualities for a protagonist to possess. Now write a short scene in which he or she demonstrates at least one of those qualities.
* * * * *
Make a list of several things that frighten you as an adult. Now choose one and write on it for fifteen minutes.
* * * * *
Consider the following:
"A room without books is like a body without soul."
-Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 B.C.)
Write for ten minutes and describe a character who would agree with this sentiment. Now write for ten more and describe his or her favorite room.
* * * * *
Make a list of several things that frightened you as a child. Now choose one and write on it for fifteen minutes
* * * * *
If you could have fifty pounds of anything (except money) what would it be? Why?
- From The Conversation Piece, by Bret Nicholaus and Paul Lowrie, Ballantine Books, 1996
* * * * *
Write for ten minutes, in answer to the following question:
If you could be one inch tall for a day, what place would you most like to explore?
- From The Conversation Piece, by Bret Nicholaus and Paul Lowrie, Ballantine Books, 1996
* * * * *
Write for ten minutes, in answer to the following question:
If you were given a potion of invisibility that would last for one hour, what would you do in the time you were invisible?
- From The Conversation Piece, by Bret Nicholaus and Paul Lowrie, Ballantine Books, 1996
* * * * *
Write for fifteen minutes in answer to this question:
If you could create the ultimate vacation destination, what would it be like and where would it be located?
* * * * *
Write a story about a set of keys lying on a step. You have ten minutes.
(Remember that a story has a beginning, middle & end.)
* * * * *
Write for ten minutes, beginning with the following sentence:
When I saw him, the word evil whispered in the back of my mind.
* * * * *
Invent a definition for each of the following imaginary words. State what type of word each is (noun, verb, etc.) and use each one in a sample sentence.
1. swage
2. ectorthic
3. rabelate
4. corple
5. mander
* * * * *
Try to discover a "found" poem. Found poetry exists in prose that has already been written - news stories, bulletins, advertisements, road signs, menus, non-fiction works - but not written as poetry. Your job is to find a piece of written material that comments on the complexities of life, then structure it as poetry (lines and stanzas) to enhance its meaning.
* * * * *
Think of a character from myth or legend. Write a page from their diary or jounal (you can write for fifteen minutes).
* * * * *
Open a dictionary to a random page. Compose a poem, any style, using as many words on that page as possible.
* * * * *
Go to a place you are familiar with; the mall, library, a friend's house, your backyard. Observe the place closely, jotting down notes and ideas for 5-10 minutes. Then write a detailed description from your notes. Are you surprised at what you noticed?
* * * * *
Brainstorm on the following topic, writing down all ideas and associations, for 10 minutes. Then choose an idea and freewrite on it for another 10 minutes. Topic: Practical jokes.
* * * * *
Invent a definition for each of the following imaginary words. State what type of word each is (noun, verb, etc.) and use each one in a sample sentence.
1. contority
2. sarmenish
3. onderage
4. barble
5. trummer
* * * * *
Write several Haiku (limit yourself to five minutes apiece).
(If you've forgotten your Haiku rules, here's what we followed. The poem must consist of exactly 17 syllables, usually divided into three lines of 5/7/5. It should contain three things: a seasonal reference, a moment of enlightenment, and a reflection of the author's feelings.)
* * * * *
Write for ten minutes on the following topic: My favorite room.
* * * * *
Write for ten minutes on the following topic: Rain.
* * * * *
Write for ten minutes, starting with the following sentence:
A scorching wind moaned around the dunes, stirring tiny dust devils to life under the noonday sun.
* * * * *
Below are one list of nouns and one list of verbs. Pair each noun with one of the verbs and write a sentence using the noun/verb combination. Nouns: book, pen, truck, dog, flower, clown. Verbs: run, jump, jerk, tear, scuttle, fly.
* * * * *
Write for ten minutes on the following topic: Sunshine.
* * * * *
Writer for ten minutes of the following topic: School.
* * * * *
Write for ten minutes, starting with the following sentence:
Sally sat nervously in the cramped kitchen, toying with the sheaf of papers balanced on her lap.
* * * * *
Visualize a room where you spent a lot of time as a child. Write for ten minutes, and describe the room, recalling as many details as you can.
* * * * *
Write the worst possible opening sentence for a story or novel.
* * * * *
Starting with your bad sentence, write the opening page. Try to turn it into something good.
freewriting | pictures | homework | top of page
pictures
Every holiday comes with its own visual images, from candycanes to dreidels to stuffed turkeys. Invent a holiday for the following greeting card and then write the card copy (and let's avoid "Horseshoe Day"):
The man on the left is copying your work. Write for fifteen minutes about the conversation you're about to have with him:
You're writing copy for a tourist brochure. Describe this tourist attraction in 200 words:
Your son came home today with a new look. Write ten minutes of dialogue:
Write for ten minutes on the following image:
This man is trying to sell this parrot. Write ten minutes of dialogue:
You are on vacation with these people. Write for fifteen minutes about what it is like:
Write for ten minutes about the people who live in this house:
Write for fifteen minutes about the discovery of this artifact:
Imagine each of the following images is a picture you took on a recent vacation. Write for 15 minutes, describing the day on which each picture was taken:
 
Imagine each of the following two images is to be used in an advertising campaign. Decide what product each is promoting and write the ad copy:
 
Write for ten minutes on each of the following pictures:
 
Write for ten minutes on each of the following pictures:
 
Write for ten minutes on each of the following pictures:
 
Write a conversation for each picture. Write for ten minutes on each.
 
Write for ten minutes on each of the following pictures:
 
freewriting | pictures | homework | top of page
homework
(No time limit on Homework assignments)
Write what happened prior to this line:
"So I told them to go ahead, bury it wherever they wanted, and the company could foot the bill."
* * * * *
Write a two-page scene in which someone defends their decision to shave their head.
* * * * *
Write a two-page conversation between two policemen who have just discovered a crime.
* * * * *
Create a heroic character and write a page of background information for him or her.
* * * * *
Write 250 words describing any room. Be sure to incorporate all five senses.
* * * * *
Answer these questions in 50 words or less: What is the most difficult and demanding profession? Why?
Now write a character sketch for someone in that profession, showing why they chose it.
* * * * *
Write a 250-word story about a mistake.
* * * * *
Write a 250-word story about desire (not necessarily the sexual variety).
* * * * *
Write a 250-word story about cheating.
* * * * *
Write a 150-word story titled, "How The Dog Ate My Wedding Ring".
* * * * *
Imagine you are going to interview a local person who has done something heroic. What five questions would you ask?
Now imagine the answers to your questions, jot them down, and write your profile piece. Even better, get a friend to pretend to be your interviewee, and write your piece from his answers.
* * * * *
Write a 200-word description of where you live.
* * * * *
Write a 100-word description of an extrememly beautiful or handsome character.
* * * * *
Write a 100-word description of a peculiar weather phenomenon.
* * * * *
Continue writing the opening you did for homework last time. Write to the end of the first scene.
* * * * *
Write the first 100 words of a novel or short story. Try to make it so interesting that no reader will be able to put it down.
* * * * *
Write a 100-word romantic scene.
* * * * *
Write a 100-word description of a truly ugly character.
* * * * *
Write ten fortunes you would not want to find in a fortune cookie.
* * * * *
Write a 100-word short story using only one-syllable words.
* * * * *
Write a one-page book or movie review.
* * * * *
Open a dictionary to a random page and jot down the first word you read. Do this ten times. Now compose a poem, any style, using as many of the ten words as possible.
* * * * *
Open a novel to a random page and choose a mid-length paragraph (8 lines minimum). Now write a new paragraph using only the words contained within the one you chose (word repetitions permitted).
* * * * *
Write a character sketch for the protagonist of a story. Mention motivations, strengths, weaknesses, secrets, fears, desires, and anything else relevant.
* * * * *
Write a character sketch for the antagonist of a story. Mention motivations, strengths, weaknesses, secrets, fears, desires, and anything else relevant.
* * * * *
Write a 100-word short story without using the letter "e".
* * * * *
Write a 100-word scene from a horror story. Try to make it truly frightening.
* * * * *
Come up with an idea for a creativity exercise. E-mail it to scriptorium@geocities.com
* * * * *
Write a poem, any style, about Christmas shopping.
top of page
home | editorial | on writing | creativity | reading | toolbox | articles | software | young
writers | links
news | workshops | archives | submissions | advertise
The Scriptorium E-Zine for Writers
ISSN 1492-949X
Editor and Publisher: Sherry D. Ramsey, sherry@thescriptorium.net
Associate Editor: Julie A. Serroul,
julie@thescriptorium.net
Site Design: Sherry D. Ramsey
Web Hosting courtesy of GRiM
Software
All material copyright Sherry D. Ramsey unless otherwise
noted.
Visit Sherry's author site, Dry Mars
Heresy
Please report any viewing/navigation difficulties
 
This page hosted by
"Creativity
tools for writers"
| 
