Fun Day Friday: Sensational Brainstorming

Okay, so we are going to try something new on Fridays for a bit. I don't know about you, but occasionally I need to exercise my mind and get the juices flowing in order to keep my thoughts fresh.

We'll start with a word… how about sensational?

Let's try a couple of exercises. For the first one, I want you to try writing a beginning sentence with the word sensational.  Remember, this is the first sentence of your book (or at least we are pretending so for this exercise) therefore you want to hook your reader and bring as much impact as possible into the mix. These are supposed to be quick exercises, so don't spend too much time on them. With time you will get faster and better at them. So for my first example and attempt:

Lila Sinclair felt sensational as she gripped the steering wheel of her corvette and closed her eyes, letting the wind rustle through her hair.

Okay, now for a dissection. The sentence is definitely telling at the beginning (which is not always bad) but the fact that she closes her eyes while she is driving is a bit shocking and may grab the reader's attention. Now you give it a try. How would you rate your sentence? Feel free to share too.

For the last exercise, we are going to try writing a blurb with the word sensational. Here goes…

Lila Sinclair's life was sensational. Nominated for a Golden Globe, dating one of Hollywood's most eligible bachelors and next in line as America's sweetheart, she couldn't ask for more—except maybe to win the Golden Globe. Even the crazed fan letters she begins to receive can't shake her confidence. But when her date is nearly murdered on a boating expedition, Lila's bubble of happiness begins to burst. Like much of America, Jax Dawson is falling hard for Hollywood up-and-comer, Lila Sinclair. She's beautiful, sweet and one of the most talented actresses he knows. Her recent fan mail threats don't surprise him as he's had his share of run ins with crazed fans, however, he doesn't appreciate the fact that someone is trying to scare Lila and push him out of the picture. Jax is not one to run and he's determined to show Lila and this crazed fan that he's here to stay.

Okay, so the blurb's a bit corny but the point is to have fun and get better. When I think of the word sensational, I just happen to think of Hollywood superstars so that is what I wrote about.  Now you, what comes to mind? Write your first sentence and a blurb. Do you like what you came up with?  If yes, there's your next book. If not, you're warmed up to write and you'll have better luck next time.  Now back to work!

Filed under: Toni Kelly, What inspires you?, Writing Topics