Take a moment in a calm place to think about what troubles or inspires you. Jot down a few thoughts or words about the subject. It is often said that writers like “shiny things,” a similar characteristic of crows. The birds are known for their intelligence and playfulness, and stashing interesting items in hidden spots. Curiosity, learning and a need for social bonding are part of their personality. What shiny subjects do you value or enjoy? What ideas can you collect? What can you learn from the experience of those ideas and words?
Begin with a single phrase or image and build from there. My colleague Lisa Dale Norton calls them Shimmering Images, the title of her little guide to writing memoir. She teaches the aspiring memoirist how to locate key memories using her techniques for finding, linking and flushing out those vibrant moments. Whether you are writing a memoir, essay or a fictional novel, look for ideas that tug at you and keep glinting in the landscape of your mind.
It takes a heap of practice to be a good writer. Keep practicing until you refine your story.
