Quick Writing Exercises You Can Do On The Go

When it comes to writing, we should all be open to learning more, whether we’ve been writing for years or we are just starting out. Learning new techniques, experimenting with new ideas and trying to absorb as much as we can about writing will help shape us to become better writers in the future.

However, for many writers finding the time actually to write is challenging enough, let alone having time to school themselves of the finer art of writing itself. We want to learn, but there just aren’t enough hours in the day.

That’s why we’ve got to find ways of dedicating ourselves to improving our writing without committing long periods of time to doing so.

These writing exercises are therefore the ideal compromise. They are quick and easy to do and perfect for writers with busy lives who feel as though they are always on the go.

Let’s take a look at some of them:

When you’ve got some time spend a few minutes writing down character names, places, actions, and motivations. Then pick, at random, one of each and put them together to see what you’ve got. Do this a few times and write any ideas down that seem to inspire you.

Write down your characters name. Now you have to pick character traits that they have by using words starting with each letter of their name. For example, Anne might be, antagonistic, naughty, nervous, elusive. Do it with each of the characters in your book to get to know them better.

On a piece of paper write down ten verbs in a list. Draw a line down the middle of the paper and then write down ten nouns. Then pair up the two to make some unusual and exciting descriptions that you can save to use in your writing later.

If your travelling somewhere (except in a car!) pick a person, you can see and firstly describe what they look like. Then describe who they are, where are they going, why are they going there and so on. Make up little stories for different people you can see as you continue your journey.

Have a go at word association. Write down any word you think of, and then write another word that links to it and keep going. Really let your mind be free and allow yourself the write the absolute first thing that comes into your head. Do this for five minutes without stopping and then read back over what you have written, picking out any unusual or arresting phrases or links which you can use at a later date.

Allow yourself to look around for 30 seconds, wherever you are. Then, without looking up, write down everything you saw, being as descriptive and detailed as you can. This exercise is excellent for training yourself to pay attention to what’s going on around you and to notice the little things.

These quick and simple writing exercises are great to do when you are short on time and can keep your creative brain engaged as well as inspire you to write more. So next time you have a spare 5 minutes, why not give them a go?

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

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