Lately I’ve had some impromptu teaching gigs and I’ve never been more thankful for my writer’s toolbox (which I lovingly call the ORACLE). The ORACLE contains tons of writing games and exercises and as you can see from the picture, it’s already overflowing. Even so, I can never seem to have enough writing exercises. There’s always room for more.
The ORACLE includes:
- Image file
- Kaleidescope
- Dice
- Postcards
- Writing Block Book (my own design)
- Mini plastic take-out container with random words in it
- Fairytale cards
- Paint chips
- Creative Whack Pack by Roger Von Oech
- Brain Book
The ORACLE Annex (AKA the bookshelf) stores additional items that don’t fit in the ORACLE.
These are:
- The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg
- Faces by François and Jean Robert
- The 3 A.M. Epiphany and The 4 A.M. Breakthrough by Brian Kiteley
- Now Write! edited by Sherry Ellis
Searching through my writer’s toolbox and scrounging around for good exercises got me thinking. I began to wonder: what’s in everybody’s writer’s toolbox?
Call me Gabi (pronounced gah-BEE). I'm a writer, freelance teacher, and a lover of books and words. I'm also the instigator of DIY MFA. iggi's my sidekick, but he thinks he's the brains behind this operation.
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Comments on this post
Oracle is a great word. Love that! Dice…nice idea. Hadn't thought of that one. One of my favorite toolbox items can't be stuffed into a box. It's my inspiration board. I plaster it with innumerable items that tickle my fancy, make me cry or think, or simply move me in any way.
Enjoy your weekend.
2. July - 1:14 pmI have a little jam jar filled with lines or ideas I think of but don't know quite where or when to use. It's perfect for when you're stuck and need some inspiration or a plot change! My online toolbox includes NaNoWriMo dares (http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3264019, for example) and short fiction on Twitter. @arjunbasu, @veryshortstory, etc–great to get your brain working again.
24. July - 4:25 am