How do you challenge yourself as a writer?

[clint_csperry-org]

I love taking a series of words, random, unrelated, sometimes offbeat words and create a story using them properly. Their use must be a natural part of the story, and it must flow smoothly.

What about you, how do you challenge yourself?

[Kate_But_Not_Kaitlyn]

I try to write sad parts into my stories. I always want to give my characters happy lives but nothing's always sunshine and rainbows. So sometimes I challenge myself and make them struggle.

[clint_csperry-org]

I try to write sad parts into my stories. I always want to give my characters happy lives but nothing's always sunshine and rainbows. So sometimes I challenge myself and make them struggle.

Some of the people in my writers group think I am a sadist. I go beyond making the characters feel sad, I throw them into the worst situation I can imagine. Then let them work out how to get back on track.

[Harley-Panda]

A few times I've tried to write a short story that fits with a song (often an instrumental piece of music so I'm not tempted to re-use any lyrics in the text). I find music very inspiring (I can't write in silence) so it's great sometimes just to get the emotions that I feel from the music onto the page.

Also, I sometimes read/write fanfiction. Often people make fun of it but I quite enjoy it. Sometimes it's good to get out of your comfort zone and pick up some characters that you haven't crafted to your own specifications. I sometimes find it difficult to have character inspiration so using someone else's can help to get the creative juices flowing rather than just waiting for an idea to come!

[Dan_Wellock]

Researching writing prompts, especially prompts that you aren’t really interested in, can help you challenge yourself as a writer. Stories written at different points of view and perspectives are also welcome challenges and can help you grow as a writer.

[DD129]

If I’m looking to challenge myself, I would do those one-word challenges. You’re given a list of words to choose from. Every day, you have to pick one and write a story/poem using it as inspiration. It’s both challenging and fun; a single word can be interpreted in any number of ways.

[Frisca]

I am working on my first book.

[Inkroverts]

I challenge myself by skipping all the adjectives and adverbs. I tend to be long-winded, so I'd rather write less descriptions.

[Chelsey Coles]

Keeping up some form of writing on a regular basis is my challenge. I promised myself I wouldn't get in that slump of not writing for long periods of time.

[Chelsey Coles]

I challenge myself by skipping all the adjectives and adverbs. I tend to be long-winded, so I'd rather write less descriptions.

Agreed, I am trying to be more concise as well.

[0723437338k]

I am yet to write anything but everyday i make sure i learn something new and try my best to improve on my flow of thought. As an aspiring writer i would like to do work on something that would leave a mark in the society like inspire are such staff.

[Andy_C]

One of the hardest exercises I've ever done involved writing a two-page biography using words of only one syllable. I found that the results were so rewarding. Certain lines had a poetic resonance that they wouldn't have, if I hadn't been forced to choose my words so carefully. It's definitely a skill I've taken forward into my writing.

But yes I agree about it being a challenge to work at it every day, to have a schedule and stick to it, although that does tend to get easier, I find, the more you get used to sitting down for a couple of hours every morning or evening or whatever.