As writers, we always look for ways to hook and excite the reader. We want to engage the audience and keep them intrigued by the story from start to finish. Whether it’s a murder mystery, an action sequence, or a knitting contest, our goal is to keep our readers turning to the next page.
And while creating excitement, conflict, and tension are built into certain events, I wondered this weekend if mundane, day-to-day activities could be written similarly.
- Pick a mundane task that everyone does (laundry, dishes, paying bills, getting gas or charging your car, etc.).
- Write it in the first-person POV.
- Take some time to write out the steps involved in the task in the order that works best for you.
- Examine the list. Are there any places where you can add excitement, conflict, or tension? Where could a problem occur that might prevent you from completing the task?
- When you set out to write the scene, be as descriptive as possible, making sure to use all five senses to transport the reader to the location and make them feel they are there with you while you undertake this seemingly tedious task.
- The task should be completed by you as the character by the end of the scene.
- See if you can write it in 500-words or less.
By taking day-to-day events and finding creative ways to twist them into a compelling narrative, you can enhance your stories and deliver page-turning narratives to your readers.
If you are working on a story, are there ways to add moments with your character doing day-to-day things that can give us insight into who they are as a person? Are there ways you can give this run-of-the-mill task a boost by having the character do it uniquely?
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
