When choosing a warm up topic, consider writing about something that is easy to write about. This could include a magazine image, a postcard, a line from a favorite song. After a few warm up practices you may choose as your topic an heirloom or favorite relative. Keep the pen to paper even if it feels like nothing is happening. Even a laundry list of words or phrases can, over time, be developed into a complete folktale.
Whatever you write, it’s important to remember that the goal is to warm up your writing muscles much like you would do if you were going to an exercise center. Some muscles warm up more quickly than others so allow yourself a chance to get into the habit of using those muscles. After all no one knows your family folktales like you do.
By Karen Pierce Gonzalez is the author of the newly released e-book Family Folktales: What Are Yours?
