Challenge #4

Three weeks ago I made October “Challenge Month” and we’re now heading to the home stretch in this month full of challenges. If you’re just joining us, we’re working on challenges that can help us grow as writers.

Last week you went to a place, a location that you felt could inspire you to create a story, and you observed. You disappeared into the scene, you avoided contact with others, you took pictures and notes, and then you took a break—I encouraged you to take a walk before arriving at this fourth challenge.

Today you get to write—and not just notes, you get to brainstorm ideas. I did it myself this morning and here’s what I got…

I went to Boston Common, a large park in the middle of Boston. I saw many things that could inspire stories and took notes on them. Here’s some of the stories that were inspired by my hour in the park:

• I saw a bunch of dogs in the area where dogs are allowed to run free. And there was one dog that wouldn’t run—kind of just stayed near its owner. Made me wonder if dogs could feel like they don’t belong, just like we humans sometimes do. Which made me think of a story from the POV of a dog who didn’t feel like she could fit in with the other dogs. An animated dog adventure with a heart.
• I saw a worker in the cemetery—there’s an old cemetery in Boston Common—and I wondered how he felt about his job. Made me think of a story where the guy cleans these gravestones year in, year out, so really knows the names…hmmm, what if he felt like he had a personal relationship with some of these people? What if, in his mind, he’d made them characters, friends even, in his life? What if he asked their advice? And what if they responded? And then, what if he fell in love with one of them??? An otherworldly love story.
• I saw a peanut vendor—you know, those guys that have a small cart and sell warm nuts? But what if he wasn’t the normal vendor? What if I walked through the Common every day on my way to work and passed this vendor? So I noticed it wasn’t the same guy. And as I got closer to him, I noticed he was attaching something to the bottom of his cart when he thought no one was looking? And what if, being the savvy person that I am, I realized he was planting a bomb there? An action adventure thriller.

Take some time while you’re still in your chosen location to brainstorm. And you don’t have to come up with fully realized stories—just the impetus for each story. And jot down as many as you can—10 at least—then buy yourself an ice cream cone or a cappuccino and smile with satisfaction at a job well done.

We’ll get to the final installment in our 5-part challenge next week!

Copyright © Diane Lake

22Oct17

Email Diane a question to Diane@DianeLake.com