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.