At-Home Creative Writing Exercises
Need some inspiration in your life during the stay-at-home order? Sometimes writer’s block hits and your creativity seems to vanish into thin air. For many, the way to get back into a creative spirit is by practicing different writing exercises on a regular basis, much like how we have to exercise our muscles to strengthen them.
Creative writing exercises are meant to get you out of your comfort zone and express yourself in new ways. Listed below are some examples of creative writing exercises that are fun and applicable for many different styles of writing.
Try out some different creative writing prompts. Here are some great writing prompt resources that are available online:
Write a letter to your favorite book character, historical figure, or role model
Have you ever connected with a fictional book character so much that you wish you could be friends in real life? Write a letter to them. Tell them everything you wish you could say, imagining that they’re sitting beside you. This exercise also works with historical figures or your personal role models.
Write out some of your favorite memories
One of the best writing exercises is to think of your favorite memories, reflect, and then write about them. Think back to how you felt during the memory, the setting you were in, who you were with, etc. This is a great opportunity to get descriptive in capturing your emotions! With this exercise, your writing can manifest in different forms, a short story, a poem, a letter, or other forms.
Journaling
Journaling is a simple way to make a habit of writing every day, which is so much harder than it sounds. You can write down details about your day, talk about dreams you had, or even see how creative you can be while describing your surroundings. The key to journaling is consistency so it can become habitual.
Make a playlist
Sometimes a good writing exercise is just meant to get your creative juices flowing and doesn’t involve writing at all! One of the best ways to get yourself into a creative spirit is to make (or find) a good playlist. Spotify lets you make your own playlists and follow playlists that are created and managed by other users as well.
Write a response to a work of art
Is there a work of art that you love and connect with emotionally – a painting, drawing, poem, dance? Write about your emotional response to it – how it makes you feel, what kind of messaging and interpretations you can pull from it, why it stands out to you, etc. This exercise involves personal reflection and can push you to be more intentional about your own work.
Try out different writing forms
Writing in different forms pushes you to learn how to create in different styles and genres. If you normally write poetry, try out short fiction or even creative non-fiction! Sometimes all it takes is stepping out of your comfort zone in order to grow in your talent.
Read, read, read
And of course, one of the best ways to become a better writer is to read as much as possible. Getting lost in different fictional worlds, experiencing other authors’ styles and voices, learning about other genres of writing – these shape who you are as a writer and bring inspiration, diversity, and passion into your life.
These exercises are aimed toward strengthening your creative muscles and are easy to do from home. Whether you’re hoping to start a new hobby or battling another bout of writer’s block, these are just some ideas and suggestions to help. Happy writing!