As writers, we’re always looking for writing triggers to get those creative juices flowing.
Today, I have two books for you to consider:
The Observation Deck, A Tool Kit for Writers, by Naomi Epel, and The Pocket Muse, by Monica Wood.
The Observation Deck comes in a box with a 160 page book on writing strategies and 50 cards to help you break through writer’s block.
You can use the book and deck to help guide you through one piece of writing from beginning to end, such as a novel, or use it as a mini writing course in which you write essays, scenes, and short stories.
As the author says,
When I was feeling stuck, I’d pull a card with a phrase like Write a Letter or Ask a Question that would tell me what to do. The spontaneity of pulling cards freed me from having to be too self-directive and my writing began to flow.”
The Pocket Muse is simply a pocket-sized book with prompts, exercises, and illustrations meant to inspire your writing.
Though I own both books, I have yet to set aside the time or garner the self-control to allow them to lead and instruct me. I would love to start at the beginning of one of these books and follow it through to the end, all the while amassing a wealth of creative material to draw from later (as one does in creative writing classes).
These books, with their writing triggers, would be ideal to take on a vacation, along with a journal, a pen, and an open mind.
Happy reading.
Thanks..these books are indeed useful for a novice writer like me…The pic on the top caught my attention..love it!
Hi umapoems. These books are great creative writing (creative thinking) triggers if one sets aside the time to actually follow the exercises, which I'm afraid, takes dedication and self-dicipline. It's like taking a class and doing the assigned homework, when you know the teacher won't be collecting the work and the grade is pass or fail.
The picture at the top of this post is by mara~earth light. She produces breath-taking images, which can be found on flickr Creative Commons. Her works are mystical/spiritual and thought provoking. Two other artists with similar pictures are pareeerica and h. koppdelaney.
wow, card to help get your writing juices flowing? sounds great.
This sounds like a great tool to both structure discipline, and assist creative juices, especially for novice writers. I like that you include tips for everyone regardless of where they might be on their writing journey.
Hi Self Sagacity. Often it takes something totally new to get our creative juices going. What also works for me are "Soul Cards" created by artist Deborah Koff Chapin, which according to the back of the box, "guide participants into a living relationship with the images through silent contemplation, journal writing, storytelling, visualization, movement, and dream incubation."
Thank you anonymous reader. I try to help all writers as other writers have helped me.
I always need all the help I can get. I like the idea of the soul cards, and the pocket muse. Might have to give them a try.
Hi Lee. These resources are like matches to start a fire, but then the fire needs oxygen to keep going. That's where the work comes in.