Writing Training, strategies & exercises to help us finish Options

[percival]

This thread was inspired by a recent post from Robert on the Settings thread ...

The question is: how can we achieve a mean output of 1500 words per day?

Robert describes an interesting training exercise:
He tried to conoct a fic based on three words randomly picked from a dictionary.

That exercise sounds very difficult, especially when one looks at the words Robert picked

What I've started doing is post 15-minute-fics in my LiveJournal. The idea is simple: you get a word (provided by the LJ community 15minuteficlets), and you have 15 minutes to write. I usually get 100-200 words done.

Or just write flow-of-consciousness like in a notebook for 15 or 30 minutes - don't backtrack, don't edit, just write. That's one of Natalie Goldberg's favourite methods.

What are your ideas?

percival

[nome]

5... 4... 3... 2... 1! Tally-HO!

RECANT.

"You're forbidding me to ever have even a friendship with anything male?" she asked, raising her eyebrows incredulously. Realizing what he had just said, he rapidly backpedaled.

"No, no... not friendships... it's just that you seem to be so close to him, and you never spend enough time with me--"

She didn't look happier. "I spend a few hours EVERY DAY with you. Are you expecting me to follow you around like a lost puppy, wagging my tail when you deign to scratch my head? I don't lick anyone's boots, Eric, especially not yours."

His temper began to rise, and he spoke without thinking. "Oh, but you'd be happy to lick Steve's, wouldn't you? Do you fetch his newspaper in your mouth like a good dog?"

The slap echoed off the hall tile, but the tears were in her eyes, not his.

"How could you say something like that?" Her voice began at a whisper, and slowly rose. "How could you? Every time you do this, you come to my apartment with flowers or chocolates and apologize. I forgive you. Then, hardly a month later, you're at it again! Do you enjoy hurting people, Eric? Does it make you feel powerful? Do you watch me cry and feel content? Are you so insecure that you can't handle my having friends? You don't own me, Eric!"

She wasn't listening, she wasn't going to be quiet and let him speak, she wouldn't shut up... he shook his head hard, and his fist shot out. When his mind cleared a moment later and he saw her leaning on the door behind her, red blossoming over her cheekbone, he realized what he'd done. Wiping angrily at the tears running over the bruise, she left. He stepped forward, tried to catch her. "No! No, I didn't mean that, Dani... wait..."

But she slammed the door behind her, and he was left alone.



Okaay... odd thing to come out. I gave myself two minutes less that 15, actually, but it's okay. lessee, word count... 318.

Not terrible.

Nome.