At the July meeting, David Bingham led on INSPIRATION. He encouraged members to compile a list of prompts which could be referred to when combatting the empty page. We produced a list which appeared to go on forever. Some of the topics recorded were :-
What you hear, see, read or are told.
Spin offs from plays, films and TV drama.
The writings of others.
Conversations, particularly those overheard.
Emotions, feelings, particularly in relation to events.
Travel, walks, bus and train rides.
Colours and textures.
TV, newspapers, problem pages.
Dreams, myths, fables and fairy stories.
When you get an idea - Write it Down.
When the time arrived for us to write, it was impossible not to find a prompt which suggested a story. Members chose from :-
Newspaper problem page - a poem by David about an egg - personification - a fairy tale - agony aunt (Dear Marge) - a letter received - family history - a natural history photograph - newspaper article (a dog in space.)
We talked about the importance of THE NOTEBOOK. It should always be handy to record any idea that comes to mind, any killer first or last line, any overheard nugget. Writers need to make a habit of collecting ideas and most important - WHEN INSPIRATION COMES, YOU MUST BE WRITING.