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Monday, March 28, 2011

Need a New Story Idea? Play with Puppets!

I wasn't planning on writing the other day when I was spending time with my little guy. We were busy playing. We got out the puppets. Then he sat back and said, "okay Mom, go."

"But I don't know any stories right now," I said. It was early and I am not a morning person. (Read, I have absolutely no meaningful thoughts until at least 10 a.m.) But, when your little person is waiting for you to tell them a story and you have all these cute little characters like red monkeys, fairies with rainbow hair, blue and lime dragons, and a crazy orange guy with fuzzy hair to choose from...you tend to get ideas.

So I put on a little puppet show. "Do another one!" he said. (I guess I did okay, but I had a pretty lenient audience.) I did another. And another. And another. You know what? I was starting to get ideas. Lots of ideas. Some even worthy of fleshing out in a manuscript.

I got out a notepad and jotted some notes. I put on lots and lots of puppet plays. I had fun, my little guy was happy, and I guess I was working too. Can't beat that!

If you're looking for a way to come up with some new ideas try playing with some puppets. You never know what you'll come up with! It helps to have a little person around to put on a show for, but kids love puppet shows so I suspect that you'll be able to find someone to appreciate your puppetry if you look around.

Warning: Playing with puppets can cause the user to act extremely silly! Use without caution.
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5 comments:

  1. Corey SchwartzMarch 28, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    Oh, I always need a new idea. Not sure that would work for me though. I am not good under pressure! (even if it is a lenient audience :)

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  2. Dana CareyMarch 29, 2011 at 12:47 AM

    Fun stuff, Heather. Must be a good way to test dialogue too. I know we've got puppets around here somewhere...

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  3. Puppet ShowsMarch 29, 2011 at 2:53 AM

    This is really fun. We're always working hard on rehearsals and forget to play!

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  4. Kelly HashwayMarch 29, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    What a great idea! I'm definitely going to try this.

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  5. Heather Ayris BurnellMarch 29, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    I know Corey, pressure! We were just having fun though, really.

    You're right Dana, that would be a great way to try out dialogue. I'm gonna try it with the WIP!

    Puppet Shows, how can you forget to play when you're using puppets? I guess even when you work with something fun it can still turn into work. Glad I reminded you to play!

    Hi Kelly! I hope you find some great ideas while you're playing!

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