Tag: writing about current events

Check the News

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

Politics makes good fodder for storytelling. Think about what’s happening in the news right now.  There must be something intriguing that you can turn into a story.

For example, if writing about war and conflict is your thing, choose any of the war-torn countries as the setting. You will most likely need to do some research to sort out the issues, but once you have an understanding of what’s going on, create some characters and put them in action.

If natural disasters interest you, then seek reports that cover those topics. For example, right now parts of the United States are being pounded by storms that are causing flooding, road collapse and fallen trees. Think about the stories you can tell!

Your task is to find something that piques your interest. Do some basic research. Then write a short story that has your characters responding to or causing whatever storm you have brewing!

Have fun with this one.

Creative Nonfiction: Important Events

On By Terry ConnellyIn Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

Creative nonfiction requires observation. It is more concerned with what is being observed than with imagination. When we write stories from our life, we try to reconstruct events, to the best of our ability, as we remember them happening.

The catalyst for writing does not have to be a tragic loss. What is necessary is to explore the significance of specific events and our reaction to them. Readers want to know how the event affected the writer and whether or not those effects still permeate the writer’s life well after the conclusion of the event.

To find things to rewrite, begin by skimming a newspaper or informational website. Stop when a headline speaks to you. Read, looking to see what resonates with you. If nothing does, then search some more.

Your task, after reading an interesting article, is to write. You might begin with a free write in which you put into words anything that comes to mind.

Go back and search for information that raises specific questions. Imagine scenarios that you could expand into story.

Write a simple sketch of the story that comes to mind. Reread, looking for places where you can add detail and emotion. Reread again. Add more detail.

Have fun with this one.