Fiction Writer's Notebook - Using Lists
A Useful Writing Exercise For Crafting Short Stories
Just as a painter's sketchbook is a work book where the artist does sketches and drawings to develop compositional elements for a painting, the writer's notebook is an ideal place to incubate and amend ideas when beginning and fleshing out a short story. Working with lists in a notebook can be an essential aid for a writer while he or she reflects on story elements such as character, setting, and plot.
Use Lists to Develop Character
When attempting to develop and flesh out a character, jot down a list of details about that character. These can be clothes the character might wear, memories they have, or quirks of their personality. Simply jot down words or phrases or that come to mind regarding that particular character. Such a list might read:
-blue raincoat
-eats Raisin Bran every morning for breakfast
-is fond of the phrase "Isn't it lovely weather for ducks?"
-is fearful when the wind blows
-can't pronounce the word "essential"
-dachshunds
A particular sort of person comes to mind when reading over this list. These are the sorts of details that, when worked into a story, will quickly and efficiently evoke the character in the reader's mind.
Use Lists to Develop Setting
In the same way, lists can be used as a way to sketch out details of place. For example:
-rooster wall clock
-muddy dog footprints on linoleum
-a stack of yellowed newspapers with curling edges
-stove top splattered with tomato soup
-the scent of lemons
Such details can be worked into a story to evoke a specific and vivid kitchen in a reader's mind.
Use Lists to Organize Plot Elements
Perhaps the writer has a vague notion of what may happen in the story he or she plans to write, but doesn't yet know how those elements connect. Jotting down what is known can be essential in helping the story to incubate in one's subconscious. For example:
-she had been walking home from the market when she heard the baby cry
-she pulls open a kitchen drawer and removes three twenty dollar bills
-that evening, a thunderstorm moved in
Use Lists as an Incubation Place For Stories
Make a list that includes one or two of the words or phrases from each of the lists. Look at this list several times throughout the day, and jot down new words or phrases or re-order the list when moved to do so. Copying the list onto an index card makes it portable. Such a list might read something like:
-a stove top splattered with tomato soup
-can't pronounce the word ["essential" ]"Worcestershire sauce"
-she pulls open a kitchen drawer and removes three twenty dollar bills
-a stack of yellowed newspapers with curling edges
-that evening, [a thunderstorm moved in] the wind began
-dachshunds - Edmund & Fritz?
-a blue raincoat
-three pennies on the sidewalk
Working with lists this way can be an effective tool for fleshing out a story idea, allowing the writer's subconscious to make necessary connections effortlessly.
list in writer's notebook
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