When you want ideas for stories, go shopping! Yep. You read it right. Go shopping. The only difference in you and all those other people who are crowded into the mall is you are shopping for ideas. They abound there.
Take a notebook to jot down what you see and hear. Parents arguing with their child about buying some expensive toy could turn into a story about a child who must learn delayed gratification.
A family eating ice cream cones may conjure up a story about how a child shared when their friend dropped his ice cream cone.
Watching a girl shop for clothes could turn into a story about a young teen who must work at the mall and is looked down on by the richer kids who come there to shop.
Watch as people eat. A story about eating the right foods could come from observing that.
Pay attention. Ask, “What if.”
You must be diligent to observe your surroundings in light of what you do. There are stories out there waiting for you. Get out of that chair and go to the mall! Besides finding stories, you may find a great sale and who could resist that. Hmm…that could be a good story,too!
Headin’ for the mall, Gloria
4 responses so far ↓
Shirley Shibley // August 21, 2008 at 3:16 pm |
You’ve got the right idea, Gloria. And if you want even more fun, take a ‘tween granddaughter to the mall to shop for clothes!
Been there, done that Shirley
gloriastockstill // August 22, 2008 at 2:06 am |
Shirley, you are a brave soul! You must have worn a good pair of walking shoes!
Gloria
marilyn donahue // August 25, 2008 at 5:31 pm |
Gloria, I love to wear dark glasses in the mall. Then I can watch people without appearing to watch them. With a notebook in my lap, I’m all set.
Gloria McQueen Stockstill // August 25, 2008 at 7:32 pm |
Marilyn, what a great idea! I never thought of sunglasses to hide my nosiness!!
Gloria