Abstract Writing Exercises

Abstract writing exercises give you less information than other exercises.

These exercises take the smallest of situations as a starting point and allow your imagination to expand from there.

Think of abstract writing exercises as visual triggers.

For example, think about this sentence for a moment: ‘The scraping sound grew louder.’

Try and hear the scraping sound and follow it in your imagination to its origins.

Begin to ask yourself questions and remember – write down your answers immediately.

Key Tip – Do not mentally edit your thoughts.

ASK CREATIVE QUESTIONS

• Was it a butcher’s knife being sharpened?
• Is somebody having their teeth scraped by a dentist?
• Could it be a cat sharpening its claws on a tree stump?
• Somebody scraping the remains of dried up pizza from a plate?

Think of as many scraping sounds as you can, write them down and choose one.

So, if you chose the sound of  ‘somebody scraping the remains of dried up pizza from a plate,’ your next step is to begin a process of asking yourself more questions.

Who is doing the scraping? Where are they? Are they in a good or bad mood?  Why? What could have happened to them? What is about to happen to them?

You can see how a story is beginning to emerge.

ABSTRACT WRITING EXERCISES

Apply this process to the following writing sentences.

1.  The scraping sound grew louder.
2. The painting was familiar.
3. The stone was covered in a fine green moss.
4. A small mound of stones.
5. The outline of a small building
6. The liquid was dark.
7. The fine sand stuck between his/her toes.
8. The coat was shabby.
9. The light shone directly on to the boat.
10. The pavement was cracked.
11. The buildings were tall.
12. Rain.
13. A slow blink.
14. The scent of rosemary.
15. The bottles clanked.
16. The white daisies were outlined in black.
17. His hand was freckled.
18. The tree was bare, black against the orange sky.
19. She took a deep breath.
20. The seat was warm.
21. The wind blew directly into his face.
22. The mug was stained.
23. Just an ordinary toothbrush.
24. The corners of her mouth turned down a little.
25. A torn coat.
26. A dead dog.
27. A bare tree.
28. Old files.
29. A chipped cup.
30. Freshly cut grass.
31. Rules and Regulations.
32. Lost at sea.
33. The storm.
34. An overgrown garden.
35. A wig.
36. Small feet.
37. Fruit.
38. Dumped.
39. Bad Temper.
40. The candle went out.
41. A sunny day.
42. Wet grass.
43. One email.
44. Broken helmet.
45. Sharp.
46. A wooden bird table.
47. Fell
48. A sharp cut.
49. The smell of grass.
50. Unplugged.

I hope you enjoyed these exercises – best of luck with your writing.

Grace

P.S.

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Many writers will say that the hardest thing to face is that blank page.

But not if the page isn’t blank!

PRACTICAL CREATIVE WRITING EXERCISES

Leave the blank page behind and become a productive writer.

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