I want to start some writing. Options

[ImperialSnob]

Any tips or tricks of the trade?

[Renee]

I like to keep my mind open to real-life situations and people who intrigue me. Situations in real-life sometimes trigger inspirations inside my head, and I'll often wind up working some of these inspirations into my stories, sometimes subconsciously. Having a daughter who is still in that cute 'story phase' (she still likes it when I read her stories) also helps. She'll be in this stage until she's about 10, and then she'll probably grow out of it. But for now, a lot of the things I do to make stories more lively to her get used as I tell stories here.

Go for walks. Go to a park, maybe. Listen to the people you pass by. There might be a couple arguing, and you'll catch a part of this argument. I'll usually mull on this if I'm walking alone. I'll mull it over in my head, and wonder how this argument came to be. Again, it's a creative side of the brain that's getting stimulated. You'd be surprised how little things like this can make a difference.