Creativity Blog 1

3 - Word Story Spark

What to do:
Someone (or you) says three unrelated words (like “moon,” “stapler,” and “whisper”). You have 3 minutes to come up with a short story idea, scenario, or product concept that includes all three.

Purpose:
Strengthens improvisational storytelling and creative synthesis.

Three Words:

Earring, Desk, Picture Frame

Short Story Idea

She sat at her desk, twiddling her earrings. Starting at the picture frame hanging on her wall, where a photo of an old friend used to hang. She became lost in the photo, remembering all of the laughs, they shared and the times that friend was there. Now the picture frame held a sunset, just to fill the space. But nothing can really replace all the memories they made. Its funny, and sad.. you hear about people mourning relationships all of the time. Yet she started to realize, mourning a friendship was so much harder than any romantic relationship she ever shared. 

Sometimes giving yourself a prompt or simple instructions and a timer can really set things off. It can turn into word vomit, or art. I decided to use a writing exercise because I have just been feeling blocked lately and they always help me get going. Its also easier to write about personal experiences or things that are familiar to you. I looked around my room and the first 3 things popped into my head is what I used. Short simple projects like this can help you not only get started, and out of a rut, but really give you perspective that its not as big as it feels. Take small steps and you will still get there.