Seven Story Scavenger Hunt
by Christine Galeone
While some writers struggle with writer’s block in the midst of a project, how many more of us struggle with concept block? Since almost every great novel, screenplay or short story is rooted in a great concept, it’s imperative that we find ways to overcome it.
Fortunately, the task is not as daunting as it seems. In fact, it can be as simple and fun as having a scavenger hunt. Ready? Grab your pens, notebooks, tablets and laptops. Put on your play pants and find the following seven items:
1. Find a magical sock. On twenty-one scraps of paper, write seven dynamic types of protagonists, seven intriguing settings and seven compelling (tangible or intangible) objects. Using the sock, choose one piece of paper from each group. Presto! You now have the primary ingredients for a unique and captivating story.
2. Find a painting that intrigues you. Let your imagination reveal the story behind it.
3. Find two songs from different genres that feature fascinating characters. Ask yourself what would happen if the character from the first song met the one from the second.
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. Find a few great quotes. Who said them? Under what circumstances were they said? Could the people or circumstances inspire a story?
5. Find one of your most cherished possessions. Build a story around it.
6. Find an episode of a reality TV show. What person on that show commands your attention? Where would he/she absolutely not be welcome? Where would that person never want to go? Send a similar character to either place and watch what happens.
7. Find a person you love and admire and one you would like to see abducted by aliens. What if they had to compete against each other? Better yet, what if they had to work together to accomplish a common goal?
Even if you only venture to take one of these challenges, you might walk away with an exciting new story. What do you have to lose? If you complete the entire seven story scavenger hunt, you can toss your concept block into your magic sock and watch it disappear!
Christine Galeone enjoys writing screenplays and freelance articles.
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