Stream of Consciousness "Seeds" Step # 3 Once you have experimented with different styles, activities and prompts, you are ready to find "seeds" to assemble into a final piece. A seed is an idea that you may want to take further-- perhaps into a finished story or poem. Don't hesitate to add to what you have in your notebook before you find seeds! Step # 1: Look through your notebook and highlight specific words, sentances or phrases that you think can be expanded upon. Put Post-Its on entries as well. Step # 2: If you find a story that you want to write more about right away, skip to step # 4. If you've found a poem that you want to develop, go to step 5. If you don't have either, keep reading. Take a few of the places that you highlighted and free write on them. Write about every aspect of the topic. Step # 3: Once you have done a great deal of writing, pick out your favorite pieces. Which one of these can you work with for a long time? Can you devise a story or poem or other finished work from these? Step # 4: If you want to write a story: Will your story have a plot? It might help to brainstorm plots if you don't already have one. Do a rough outline of how you want the story to flow. Will your story have developed or un developed characters? Continue on to 6 if you're writing a story Step # 5: If you want to form a poem, just write. That is the only advice we can give you because everyone is different. Try thinking and meditating. What do you want your poem to be like? Do you want a rhythm, a rhyme scheme? Think, the words will just seem to come.... Step # 6: Make sure to include an amount of detail that will suit your piece the best. The book "The Old Man and the Sea" by Hemmingway uses small, seemingly simple words to convey such a strong action. However, there are other books that use large words, with colorful language and details. Find a scheme of detail and words that will best fit your story   Step 7: Do several drafts of your story. Read it over. Before you show it to anyone else, make sure you like it! You are the writer, which means you get to decide the direction and tone of the story! Try to develop your story, and even if you want to begin to finalize it, it's a good idea to keep it as " a work in progress!"   Step # 4: ~> Editing and Publishing General tips for writing Activities, Prompts and Exercises Back to workshops home Editing and publishing Writer to writer message board Links Read | Write | Respond | Book Reviews | Site Reviews | Home