The Word for Writers

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Have you ever experienced that anxious constipated state when you want to write but the words just will not come? Obstreperous voices fill your mind, each clamoring for your undivided attention. You struggle to put the words in some kind of obedient order yet they look like a puzzle just dumped out of the box with pieces all askew. Or worse yet, the words do not come at all?

Here is a fun exercise that helps get the creative juices flowing. The idea for this exercise came from a Momalisa DeGross book my ten year old son was reading, entitled Donovan’s Word Jar. In the story the little boy collects words in a jar. He later finds that the words have the ability to change people’s lives or at least give them a new perspective on their current situation.

My son and I have since started our own word jar. It is a fun and educational adventure for us. As a student the word jar helps to build his vocabulary. As a writer it provides me much needed material. When I encounter the writers struggle, I reach into our word jar and pull out three words. Then for the next ten minutes I write, using those three words in the first paragraph. Today’s three words are constipated, obstreperous, and askew. Do you see them in the first paragraph?

Like the characters in my son’s book these three words from the jar changed my current situation. When I could not find the words from within, I reached into the jar and everything changed. Won’t you try it and tell me how it works for you? You can e-mail me your experience at [email protected].

You do not need a word jar, just three words to begin. I will share three of the words from our jar to get you started. Ready? Here they are; Intervention, Humble, and Girdle. Happy writing!

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