Writer's Toolbox

I found my "Writer's Toolbox" and it has some fun stuff, so I figure if anyone wants to do some of the suggestions to get started on writing something just to start writing, I'll put down how the book says to use the items. There are some popsicle-stick-esque items with First Sentences, Non-Sequiters, and the Last Straw, some Sixth-Sense cards, and the "Protagonist Game" complete with spinning-wheels. There's also a sand timer, but I'm sure clocks can be used instead.

Since there are three of us, I'll pick three times as many of everything and you can pick from there. If you want to comment on which ones you've chosen, we can do a fist come/first serve method, or if we do this again we can just have one set of everything and everybody writes. Anyways, this is just a trial method, do whatever works best for you. You can use all, none, or just some of these "techniques" says the book, as well as me, I just know that when I have some people to write about it's easier to create for me. This might not turn into some epic book of great proportions, but I think it will give a good starting point and some ideas to go to when things get hard in the epic novel of great proportions. :)

First Sentence choices
1. There I was, just standing there, when what I wanted to do was forbidden.
2. Charlotte ate green peppers all day long.
3. There were 17 cats living in Larry's basement.
Choose one and write for 3-6 minutes.
Next is the non-sequiter sticks, it says to use as many as you need, but I'll just put six up for now and you can use them at your leisure. Whether you only use two, three, or all six, but they're meant to keep the story flowing and going to interesting placesas you write.
1. On Tuesday she asked me the most peculiar question.
2. She may be young, but she's not stupid.
3. Tom lost 25 bucks at the races.
4. The plane was two hours late.
5. "If you don't take chances." said the main in striped pajamas, "you might as well not be alive."
6. She was standing behind the counter, giving him this root beer-float kind of smile.
Choose one at a time and write for 3-6 minutes.
The Last Straw is for creating story arcs and fueling conflict and emotion.
1. the last time they saw a movie
2. the day I loaned Morgan 400 bucks
3. the tear in her dress
Use this to help you to get to a point of resolution.


Sixth-Sense Cards, pick one, and write for three minutes. Use up to three of the cards, or more. These remind you to be descriptive and to give the reader more of a feel of what's going on, and you're showing your readers instead of telling them.
1. a yellow bus
2. yesterday's Wall Street Journal
3. the last of the toothpaste
4. a beekeeper's outfit
5. a child with wings
6. a can of Easy Cheese
7. Paris in August
8. Berlin last summer
9. an old letter from Amsterdam
Sixth-Sense Cards, pick one, and write for three minutes. Repeat as needed.

The Protagonist Game

"The Protagonist Game gives you a road map to create plot, dramatic tension and structure. Your job is to accept the challenge and just write. And remember, as Natalie Goldberg suggests: "Don't think, Just Write."

Protagonist Wheel Choices
1. Leora, who loves to visit Israel.
2. Frank, the painter.
3. Liz, who reviews books.

Goal Wheel Choices
1. to be wild and free
2. to be king of the heap
3. to be the great seducer

Obstacle Wheel Choices
1. Irene, the temptress
2. the Cat Lady
3. Fred, the monster

Action Wheel Choices
1. does research at the library
2. learns to foresee the future
3. learns to drive


So there you have it; characters, actions, conflicts, goals, obstacles, and more, all the parts of the making of a great (or interesting) story. Use them at your own discretion, but just write, and share, and be creative.