Here’s what I suggested.

Writing Refresh Exercise #1: Try Everything

1. Grab a stack of blank 8 ½” x 11” paper. Put it in front of you on an empty table or desk.

2. Set a timer for 10 minutes.

3. On your first sheet of paper, write out your first idea for where the story could go. Use big handwriting. Don’t get bogged down. Think high school. Think “thesis statement”. Think movie pitch brevity. 3 or 4 sentences, max.

4. Flip the sheet over, face down.

5. On the next sheet, write your next idea.

6. And so on.

7. Keep going, as fast as you can, until the timer goes off.

8. Gather up your completed sheets of paper and slip them into a file folder or drawer.

9. Go do something else for at least 2-3 hours. Take a walk or a nap. Call a friend. Watch a movie. If you can, sleep on it.

10. Check your notes, and see which story seems the most compelling to you. That’s your winner.

What do you do with the non-winning ideas?

1. Remember that there are no bad ideas; there are simply ideas that come to you at the wrong time.

2. With that in mind, send them to Writing Castaway Island — a box, a file folder or a place on your hard drive where your castoffs can frolic until you have time to spend with them. More on this in a future post.

As for my friend — she said the exercise was helpful. She has since come up with a book concept that excites her and makes her eager to write. Send all your good writing vibes her way!