Creating an Idea Box

James Scott Bell, in his book, Plot and Structure, advises writers to "come up with hundreds of ideas, toss out the ones that don't grab you, and then nurture and develop what's left."

Creating an idea box for all these ideas, or even just a notebook, will help you save the things that spark your imagination for times when you suffer from writer's block.

Writers are by nature magpies. Don't feel bad about taking things from life. Scribble down whatever inspires you and store it away. Accumulate as many ideas as possible, both as you go about your daily life and through creative writing exercises. Then, when you're stuck, you'll always have a place to turn.

Want to get started today? There are a number of exercises that will get the short story ideas rolling:

• How to Freewrite
• Secrets -- A Writing Exercise
• Dictionary Writing Prompts