Proverbs

So, I came up with this idea to sock writer's block right in the jaw, and I thought I'd share it with you.

• Step 1
• Figure out the location of your story. The country or land where that country currently resides or the country that most closely resembles the culture in your story will do.
• Step 2
• Look up proverbs from that country. World Proverbs is a great place to begin your search. Bonus: that site is just fascinating to leaf through.
• Step 3 
• Choose a proverb that sounds like something one of your characters would say. Or maybe choose a character that would normally never say something like your proverb and have them deliver that line. Zing!
• Step 4
• Write a scene that involves that proverb. When would your character say something like that proverb and to whom would they say it? Has something profound or silly or devastating or frightening or happy just occurred? What was that thing? Does that thing exist in your story already? Write about that event, too.
• Step 5
• Enjoy! You've just kicked the crap out of your writer's block. You now have a scene and maybe a new character or event! As Charlie Sheen would say, "duh, WINNING!"

May the 4th be with you!

Exercise Your Ears

This is a Grooveshark playlist.
According to Grooveshark's wikipedia entry, Grooveshark is "an internationally available online music search engine, music streaming service and music recommendation web software application, allowing users to search for, stream, and upload music free of charge that can be played immediately or added to a playlist."

Grooveshark headquarters are located in my native Gainesville, Florida, which makes them even more awesome. I tend to make lengthy playlists on Grooveshark that coincide with whatever the tone of a scene I'm working on is. It can be really helpful, I think. Try it out!

So, I put this playlist up here not to impress you with my awesome music, but to allow you to experience something new (hopefully) that will enhance your writing. If you're having writer's block, pick a song from the playlist, listen to it, and write down whatever you're feeling while you listen. It could be a scene, a list of adjectives, tone, a character, etc. Anything you want. This tactic has rescued me many times, and I think it could help you, too.

I will be posting new playlists or single songs intermittently. If this has been of use to you, or if you'd like to share the ideas you've had from these songs, or you have suggestions for other songs that inspire, hit me up in the comments section.