As far as writing goes, there is always a need for that new idea to help unclog the blockage in your mind. Here's a little idea I got from a game called Mythic, vastly simplified.
Ask a question that can be answered with a yes or no then take a standard six sided dice, (You have one of those don't you?) and roll it. Note the number and consult the following chart.
1. Definitely not!
2. No.
3. Probably not.
4. Probably.
5. Yes.
6. Absolutely!
For example...
"Will something bad happen to Susan when she goes through the door?"
A roll resulting in a five tells you yes, something will. You hadn't thought of that had you? Well what could happen?
"She falls down?"
Roll the dice again. A one means definitely not. Well I guess she not only doesn't get hurt but, she manages to stay completely rigid. Why?
"Does something scare her?"
Four means probably. Well then, maybe she thinks she sees something that may or may not be there?
You get the idea. Obviously I'm not telling you to let luck be your guide in your writing, or to use this as a crutch. Most often I find myself turning to this method merely to get myself thinking about possibilities I hadn't considered. It's amazing how one tracked our minds can be when coming up with things to write about. How we can let ourselves fall into a pattern, and never once consider an alternative event or outcome. This way you can practice the process of letting the unknown into your writing. You don't have to do what the dice says of course, it's just a way to get yourself to try something new, even if you end up not liking it.
Good luck!
Ask a question that can be answered with a yes or no then take a standard six sided dice, (You have one of those don't you?) and roll it. Note the number and consult the following chart.
1. Definitely not!
2. No.
3. Probably not.
4. Probably.
5. Yes.
6. Absolutely!
For example...
"Will something bad happen to Susan when she goes through the door?"
A roll resulting in a five tells you yes, something will. You hadn't thought of that had you? Well what could happen?
"She falls down?"
Roll the dice again. A one means definitely not. Well I guess she not only doesn't get hurt but, she manages to stay completely rigid. Why?
"Does something scare her?"
Four means probably. Well then, maybe she thinks she sees something that may or may not be there?
You get the idea. Obviously I'm not telling you to let luck be your guide in your writing, or to use this as a crutch. Most often I find myself turning to this method merely to get myself thinking about possibilities I hadn't considered. It's amazing how one tracked our minds can be when coming up with things to write about. How we can let ourselves fall into a pattern, and never once consider an alternative event or outcome. This way you can practice the process of letting the unknown into your writing. You don't have to do what the dice says of course, it's just a way to get yourself to try something new, even if you end up not liking it.
Good luck!
