How To Use Story Sticks To Break Through Writer's Block
By Matthew L. Hart
Writer & Humorist
Author of:
Uncle Matty's Halloween: Jokes, Bits & Anecdotes
Simply choose a First Sentence Stick at random, write it at the top of the page, flip the three minute sand timer and start writing about what happens next.
You'll also notice how fun the experience is to actually retrieve the wooden popsicle sticks from the box and shuffle them in your hands. You get to feel the texture of the wood and the weight of the thing.
In a world where there's an app for just about everything,
this simple act of getting your hands on something tangible just might be the thing that sparks your creativity.
Someone once said,
"Writer's Block is when your imaginary friends stop talking to you."
So, let's get your friends talking to you again!
I found The Writer's Toolbox in 2007 and, I must say, writer's block has been a thing of the past for me.
That's because the concepts and tools make writing fun.
Remember when writing used to be fun?
Long before thoughts of becoming a well known author or famous screenwriter or whatever dream, goal or ambition you started to cultivate once someone first complimented your work, we used to write just for the hell of it.
That's what The Writer's Toolbox hopes to accomplish for you.
A few days ago, we discovered the Sixth-Sense Cards in The Writer's Toolbox and I showed you how they would improve your descriptive writing.
You can find that post here:
Today, I'm going to show you how The Story Sticks will help you defeat the blank page and sprout some story structure through conflict.
How do the Story Sticks work?
There are three different types of story sticks. Each story stick is used in it's turn with the aid of a three minute sand timer (Included in The Writer's Toolbox) to get you writing about something right away.
The three types of Story Sticks are:
- First Sentence
- Non Sequitur
- Last Straw
The First Sentence Stick destroys the blank page because you don't have to come up with something to write.
You'll also notice how fun the experience is to actually retrieve the wooden popsicle sticks from the box and shuffle them in your hands. You get to feel the texture of the wood and the weight of the thing.
In a world where there's an app for just about everything,
this simple act of getting your hands on something tangible just might be the thing that sparks your creativity.
Now say "Goodbye" to writer's block!
I'll show you.
My First Sentence Story Sick reads:
"There I was, just standing there, when what I wanted to do was forbidden."
Before I start thinking about this sentence too much, I'm going to flip the three minute sand timer and write from my stream of consciousness.
Feel free to write with me. Now,
GO!
"There I was, just standing there, when what I wanted to do was forbidden. It was Friday! I just wanted hang out with my friends. It wasn't even like it was a school night or anything. I mean, sure, mom wasn't happy that I forged her signature on my mid-term grade report but, she shouldn't have been going through my bag in the first place! I can't wait to get out of here. This is so unfair!"
Pens down, you're done!
Now that the First Sentence has been written, we've got some characters interacting and a situation developing, we're going to draw the next story stick.
The Non Sequitur creates a twist in the plot to surprise our reader.
It's easier to explain by just showing you.
Let's draw a Non Sequitur Story Stick now.
My Non Sequitur Story Stick reads:
"Tom lost 25 bucks at the races."
Now, picking up from where we left off, we're going to drop this Non Sequitur somewhere in the next paragraph.
Just flip the timer and
GO!
"I stormed to my room and slammed the door shut. No sooner had I done that when the front door opened and slammed shut as well. I could hear the conversation through the thin walls of our trailer. Mom started yelling. Tom lost 25 bucks at the races. "She sure knows how to pick'em." I thought. They would be up all night fighting and I couldn't stand to hear my mom cry. The window screen popped out easily with the screwdriver. The notch on the window sill was well-worn. They won't even notice I'm gone."
Time's up!
I think that the hardest part at this point is not to go back and read what you've written. It's so important not to be the editor right now. We just want to generate the raw material as fast as possible.
Let's keep going and draw The Last Straw Story Stick.
The Last Straw Story Stick expresses a small, mundane moment that suggests a greater underlining conflict.
We use The Last Straw to add deeper conflict between the characters that will push them forward towards some satisfying resolution.
Follow along if you'd like.
My Last Straw Story Stick reads:
"the last time they saw a movie"
Now, don't think, just write. We'll flip the timer and
GO!
"I met Angela at the park near my house. It was a typical Friday night for us but, Rob was going to be there, too. We'd only been seeing each other for a week and I was already mad at him, and Angela, that skank! She knew I liked him. Why is she even here? "How about a movie tonight?" Angela, asked. "Ew! No way." I said, hopping off the picnic table. That was it! I wasn't going to put myself through that again. The last time they saw a movie together I was surprised she didn't end up pregnant. It should have been me! "Why don't you and Rob just go together since you like each other so much!"
AND...WE'RE DONE!
Now, we can take a moment to go back and read what we just wrote.
If you want, make changes and edit how you see fit.
But, really take the time to see what you were able to write in about 15 minutes.
Not bad, huh?
Mastering writer's block is the first step to mastering a daily writing routine.
Do you think that the Story Sticks will be an effective way for you to break through your writer's block?
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