How short can a story be?
Whilst Ernest Hemingway has been attributed to writing the flash fiction ‘For sale: baby shoes, never worn.’ It is a reminder that stories can be short.
Some of you may remember the ‘love is…’ cartoons that were around in the 1970s and ‘80s. Trying to find these was not as easy as I thought. Google did not offer me an answer. Perhaps I put in the wrong search words?
Fortunately, I was directed to a similarly themed site lastlemon.com. This site has a variety of themed quotes (or short stories), which was close enough to my memories of the ‘love is…’ cartoons.
However, what has this to do with writing a book?
Personally, I find short quotes, as found on lastlemon.com, help me to see thoughts, ideas and opinions from another perspective. This often provides inspired thinking around ideas I am trying to cultivate and assists in creating new thoughts.
What helps you to cultivate ideas?
When did you last feel that spark of inspiration when you saw someone else’s creative works?
Do words or pictures, assist with creating new ideas?
Regardless of what inspires you to think, you need to sit and write or stand and talk (if you are inclined to dictate and walk) to keep your words flowing.
Regularly exercise your mind; it is a mental muscle.
Perhaps some words or an image will assist to trigger your mental weightlifting.
What phrase or image gets you inspired or reminds you to focus?
Whatever it is keep it close.