1. Start with a question, like "Why did the (noun referring to a person) (action)?" and ask someone to fill it in Mad-Libs style. When you have your question, begin a scene and write until you have the answer.

2. Be on the lookout for interesting bumper stickers, and write one down. Preferably, pick one that's not actually on a car, but still in the store or stuck on an item other than a car. Then when you sit down to write, imagine what sort of car the bumper sticker would be on. If you did write one down that was on an actual car, try to imagine a different car, or exchange with someone so you get one for which you didn't actually see the car. Think about the make, model, color, condition, any other personalizations besides the bumper sticker, items you can see inside the car, etc. When you have a really detailed description of the car, start on the person that owns it. If you want, move on to other things, like this now-detailed character's house, job, family, etc. This prompt can be short or as long as you want if you keep adding things like this.

3. Think of a action you would never, ever do. It doesn't have to be anything you're morally against, just something like 'wear plaid in public' is fine. If you want, make a list of actions and pick one. When you've got an action you would never do, try to think what sort of person would do it. Inhabit that person's character and ask yourself what about him or her makes her or him likely to do this. How are this person's experiences different from yours in a way that makes them do something you wouldn't?

Exercises for When You've Already Started:

1. Ask yourself questions about your main character. Start with simple things like age, gender, basic appearance, etc. and move on to more complicated things like "What is this character's biggest fear?" Even include really random things like "What did this character have for breakfast?" Here is a sample list of questions:

Name:

Nickname:

Sex:

Age:

Birth Date:

Birth Place:

Astrological Sign:

First Memory:

Birth Order/Siblings:

Height/Weight:

Eye Color:

Hair Color:

Grew Up In:

Lives In:

First Job:

Job Now:

Education:

Religion:

Shoe Size:

Bad Habits:

First Kiss:

Likes Most About Own Body:

Likes Least About Own Body:

Hobbies:

Best Friend:

Status/Money:

Marital Status:

Possessions:

Obsessions:

Beliefs:

Politics:

Ambitions/Dreams/Goals:

Superstitions:

Fears:

Character Flaws:

Character Strengths:

Pets:

Taste In Books/Music/Etc:

Talents:

Car:

Bumper Sticker:

First House:

Most Important Keepsake:

Children:

Likes To Wear:

Never Wears:

2. Ask yourself questions about the plot. What kind of twists are possible? Think of something the plot has been leading up to that seems obvious and ask yourself what would happen if this didn't take place. Think of an opportunity your character has and what would happen both if he or she does or doesn't take it. Think what would happen if something someone is keeping secret in the story were divulged.

1. Forums are not to be used to post stories.
2. All discussions, language and content, must be suitable for teens.
3. The owner/moderator(s) of this forum is solely responsible for content posted within this area.
4. All forum abuse must be reported to the moderator(s).

1. Forum admin/moderator
2. Fanatic (on site for more than 2 years)
3. Fan (on site for more than a year)
4. Regular (on site for more than 6 months)
5. Camper (on site for more than a month)
6. Apprentice (on site for more than a week)
7. Newbie (on site for less than a week)