I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one. Writing exercises have, for years, simply annoyed me; annoyed me, made me a little angry, and felt useless. What was the point? I wasn’t writing something I would actually use. It felt like the people giving me the writing exercises were just playing games with me. Who am I kidding? Sometimes, it still feels like that.
That being said, I’d like to let those who might be struggling with this know, you’re not alone. It happens.
How many people actually like increasing their exercise regimen? You’re wanting to get into shape for whatever reason. You might want to increase muscle tone or get rid of those few clinging pounds. What if you simply want to have more energy, feel physically stronger, faster, more powerful? You either increase an existing regimen or start a new regimen. It is never fun. This is because the point is to push yourself out of your comfort zone. If it’s comfortable it’s not helping you become stronger. You are going to break a little bit of a sweat or you might break quite a sweat.
It’s the same with writing exercises. You are pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, broadening your way of thinking, honing skills. So, no. It isn’t going to be comfortable. In fact, if it is comfortable, you probably need to find a more difficult exercise, mix things up and do something different. The point is to be constantly pushing yourself to think differently, to press on to more and more challenging works. That way you are always growing and honing your skills.
Do you think the greats, out of the blue, simply decided to put pen to paper and created their masterpieces which are still considered classics and impressive works of the art of writing. Some… maybe. Yes, there is natural talent, but often, it is called raw talent because even a diamond or other gem in its natural state must be cut and polished for it to take on its valued shine. The raw diamond looks very little like the cut and polished object. Also, in order to create those gems, they must undergo pressure. The raw materials are there, but it takes hard work to produce that gem.
The same is true with the raw materials in people. While they might have the natural talent, it must be put under pressure, honed, and polished for it to become a true piece of art; a true gem.
Now that I have given reasons for using writing exercisers, I’m going to come right out and say it. I have avoided writing exercises. I just about despise them, with a tightening in my stomach that makes me nauseous, a constricting of the throat, clenching of jaws and pursing of the lips. It might not be the whole nine yards, but it does get close. Yes, grumbling is included. Why am I discussing the negatives? Just saying it comes with the territory.
Now that I have told you some reasons writing exercises are distasteful and some reasons writing exercises are desirable. Let me talk to you about what made me go from avoiding writing exercises like a closed-in, metal, amusement park ride in Arizona, to acknowledging that, yes, writing exercises are something I should take part in.
I took a writing course about the basics of novel writing. I wanted to make sure I was doing my best work at this time. I feel it is of benefit to review the basics on, at least, a semi-regular basis for whatever skill you are working on, because each time you go through the basics you are at a different place in your skill and you are likely to view whatever you are reading, hearing, watching, or practicing in a different light and it will make a different type of “Aha” moment then before. There could, also, be things you missed the first time around that, with you being further along in your journey, seem to click better the second, third, or further times.
Even though I have read books, blog posts, and magazines, even watched videos on writing, I decided, “Sure. I’ll take a course on the basics. Why not? It is a different persons perspective, and I might see something different.” Nothing seemed to click better in particular, except that nearly every lesson had an assignment. I chafed under it. I saw no purpose in many of the assignments. However, as I progressed, I figured I might as well attempt to take whatever benefit I could from them.
I have read short stories, especially those by well known authors. I have been fascinated with them and amazed how these authors can have a whole, well drawn out plot, tension, crisis and sometimes resolution; sometime a cliffhanger where the reader is allowed to come up with their own conclusion.
For me, this was never something easy. I have had a tendency to feel more comfortable trying my hand at longer works, giving room for my characters and plot to build. “Give me room, lots of room under starry skies above. Don’t fence me in.”
These short stories seemed something just a bit out of reach, something that I wasn’t cut out for.
For one lesson, I was given a writing prompt, which was the climax for a story, and instructed to create an inciting incident, and show the progression from the inciting incident to the climax.
What I wound up with was a short story. It was my first full attempt and I thought it was good considering that fact.
Part two of the assignment was for me to come up with a different inciting incident and the progression to the same climax. Since I wound up with a short story the first time, it was only natural that by the end of the assignment, I had two short stories.
I have seen something from a different viewpoint and to me, it now seems that short stories might be possible for me to manage. Therefore, if nothing else, I have gained confidence in a different area of writing. This is what the writing exercises are supposed to do, help you process differently, help you learn a different skill, or the same skill deeper.
I have provided a link to a separate page. On this page, will be my two short stories. I would love to hear my readers’ opinions. Do you like the stories? Do you like one more than the other? Which do you like more? Do you like both? Are there any aspects of my stories where would you like to see more effort? Do you think I should try my hand at more short stories or do you think I should leave them off altogether? Is it neither here nor there? Please, no trolling. I want honest opinions, and honest opinions do not require hostility or malice.
I will have a poll, and to anyone who would like, you can leave comments or email me. I would like to hear from you.
In conclusion, yes, writing exercises are a pain in the neck, a pain in the head, and a pain in the hands, whether you opt to type or put pen to paper. They are aggravating, but are they good for writers. So, look for some writing exercises, even if you hate them. Look at it as a means to an end; you are building and honing skills. Then, as you skills improve, remember; enjoy the wonder.
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