The last time I discussed writer’s block, I mentioned that the best cure is to simply write. To expand on that, I have created a list of 100 random jump-starters to get your writing juices flowing again. You can pick any that suit you, or close your eyes and point to one on the screen; it doesn’t matter which ones you do, just as long as you’re working that creative brain of yours.

And yes, you professional writers out there, you will benefit from these exercises as well. After all, you’re a writer, aren’t you?

Get your motor running — general ideas

1. Write about something unusual you saw yesterday.
2. Describe the first time you did something (ride a bike, do a cartwheel, etc.).
3. Imagine how your parents met and write the story.
4. Write about the worst date you ever had.
5. Write about a beauty pageant without using stereotypes.
6. Tell a story in the form of a love letter.
7. Make up your own fairy tale (and be sure to start with “Once upon a time…”)
8. Write in stream of consciousness.
9. Summarize the plot of your favorite novel, movie, or TV show in your own words.
10. Watch strangers and make up stories about what they’re doing.
11. Read an obscure feature story in a small-town newspaper and write about the object of that feature.
12. Write a letter to a friend.
13. Describe the view from your window.
14. Randomly select an object from the room you’re in and write about it. Include its physical description and any memories associated with the object.
15. Write about the best date you ever had.
16. Describe something you love to do.
17. Imagine that the thing you fear most actually happens, and write it.
18. What would your life be like if it were perfect?
19. Write out the words to your favorite songs.
20. Write about football.
21. Write from the perspective of a two-year-old.
22. Start a story about a dare.
23. Write about the best vacation you ever took.
24. Get in the mind of a pharmacist who hands out drugs to people with all sorts of wacky health problems.
25. Write a story about a protagonist whom no one likes.

Key words — use one to spark your imagination

1. Fire
2. Ice
3. Gold
4. Picture frame
5. Shadow
6. Asleep
7. Deadline
8. Bad hair day
9. Virus
10. Forbidden
11. Autograph
12. Clown
13. Construction
14. Tumble
15. Fever
16. Pacifier
17. Politics
18. Flirt
19. Polygamy
20. Spider
21. Secret
22. In-laws
23. Boss
24. Gambling
25. Coffee

First lines — start your story with one of these phrases

1. I was five years old when I first realized…
2. My mother never…
3. My husband/wife always says that I…
4. I will never forget the day that…
5. Marriage should be…
6. The product recall…
7. It’s not what he said, it’s what he…
8. I’m so…
9. Like a butterfly, she magically…
10. My favorite book is ___, because…
11. She is the worst ___ I’ve ever known…
12. His chair was…
13. Republicans are…
14. It hasn’t been the best day, but…
15. Children hate him because…
16. The wine dripped on the floor as…
17. I could hear my neighbor’s dog barking as I…
18. The sound of an ice cream truck always makes me…
19. Her hair looked simply…
20. Beauty is not the eye of the beholder, but…
21. She walked into the room, and I…
22. I didn’t mean to…
23. Mud was smeared all over my face as I tried to…
24. I didn’t realize the light bulb had burnt out until…
25. The mirror was covered with…

Random series — fill in one of these sets and use all your choices in a story

1. Five colors
2. Three smells
3. Two flowers
4. Three cities
5. Four currently popular songs
6. Five swear words
7. Two children’s toys
8. Seven clichés
9. Three cartoon characters
10. Four animals
11. Two constellations
12. Three states
13. Three different “cliques” in a high school
14. Four common allergies
15. Three colors of nail polish
16. Four brown things
17. Three yellow things
18. Five green things
19. Two fashion designer labels
20. Three currently popular TV shows
21. Two common fears
22. Four insects
23. Three common condiments
24. Four music terms
25. Five things normally associated with Christmas

This article was written by Jennifer Roach http://jennifermroach.com Jennifer is a fiction writer, blogger, and freelance editor/proofreader. You can follow her on Twitter @jennifermroach or on MySpace . To see more posts click here

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