The Things

 Explore the people, places, years and things in your life.  For example, explore this sentence and further develop the "thing" story line.   "I received this piece of jewelry from Grandma as a gift when I was eighteen and she was 80. She received it as a present when she was 18."   

What made it special?  What did I feel like when she gave it to me?  What did I feel like when I wore it?  Do I remember wearing it?  Where? Where did I keep it?  Did it have a special place? If it was kept in a certain place what did it look like, smell like?  Did the box have a velvety feel?  Where is it today and what is its significance?  Has the role it played in my life changed?  Has the item changed over the years?  Explore all the senses in your mind, feeling or touching, hearing, smelling, seeing, tasting.   

Who, What, Where, and the When of Chronology

Who, what, where and when is necessary to a good story, says Journalism 101. It can be incorporated into the story so it isn't apparent it is there. For example:

Mom and Dad were living in the second story rooms in her parent's home. There were two bedrooms with no plumbing or running water. Dad was working days as a carpenter apprentice and going to school at nights. He was hoping I would be born on a weekend. Money was tight, as tight as his daily schedule. Missing school would be difficult. Missing income would be monumental. Seems, I knew nothing of their plans. I did not wait for an invitation to enter the world on a Tuesday........

Sometimes Do What's Not Recommended

How often have you heard,"Don't write chronologically?" While that is mostly true, writing chronologically does have its place. Sometimes writing a chronological list helps spark ideas. With those ideas, a story can be developed. When I hear certain years mentioned, memories instantly begin. Most of us remember the year of a birth or death of someone dear to us or some other important event. With the mention or remembrance of that year, recessed stories emerge.

The significance of a date can bring back the story of an event, but if you don’t remember what was happening in the world at the time, look it up. That too, might spark ideas an provide needed details that will bring your story to a time and place that seems real to the reader.