Writing creatively: What one word can do

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Writing is a challenging job that requires creativity and commitment. 'Tell me something I don't know,' you are saying at this very minute, but hear me out.

I have met people who want to be writers, whether writers of poems, writers of books, or writers of screen plays. They know that they should be writers. They say they feel it in their bones. It is something that is calling them from deep down inside. Their calling is to be a writer because they have something to say and they must say it.

They accept the calling and sit down to write that poem, that story or that screenplay that they believe they should write. But once they have that sheet of paper or that blank word document in front of them, they draw a blank or the words they write do not capture what they intended to write. They are left frustrated.

And there are those people who know that they should be writers, but they cannot, no matter how hard they try, find the right thing to write about. 'Why can’t I find it?' they ask in frustration.

I have had my share of writer’s frustration but I have been learning to tame it by seizing inspiration whenever it pops up and twisting it into whatever form that catches my fancy at that moment.

I have written about finding inspiration to write on this blog. In that post, I share that inspiration to write is often right in front of you and show you what a little bit of ordinary inspiration can do.

The problem, I think, with getting out that first story is that instead of grabbing the inspiration that is right in front of you, you tend to be looking for that one great big idea. Why not start small, then work your way up to bigger things?

That’s what I have been doing.

One day, I was working on my yet to be finished novel, (which, thankfully, is now finished). I wanted a synonym for a word. In searching for that synonym, a word just captured my attention. I needed it.

This question came to me: 'How many words can you make from this one word?' I tried and discovered that within that one word, were many other words. And because I didn’t have anything better to do, apparently, I decided to write out all those words. After I had written out those words, another thought popped into my head: 'Why not use those words to write a poem?'

Now, I won’t tell you the word that gave me so much inspiration just yet. Have fun guessing. 

Word game is the end result of my playing with a word. It is still a work in progress.

Listen to the poem by clicking play on the video above or read the poem below:

Word game

In the game I find great courage

To be a part of a team.

Anger and rage grate in my name

And contradictions teem.


They enrage like mange on a mare

Or mace sprayed in the eyes

And mar such a beautiful word

And like a gate, the thieves surprise.


With the number ten on my gear

I ran like a cougar

Out on to the playing field.

To score, I was eager.


None of the passes came my way

No rag to wipe a tear

I rent my garment and took note

A babe in a manger.


My skills, experience to augment

Too green for an encore

Off to the acre for a run

My meagre frame to tone.


A mere teen with a mane of hair

A tremor in the wind

Ready to trace my teenaged dreams

Those I have defined.


My booming tenor rings out loud

Not a grunt, not a hum

A blast that sweeps away all dross

A sign of things to come.


I hop back on the tram of life

More life is yet to live

A new norm I will engrain

I still have lots to give.


A ram is in the thicket there

An omen loud and clear

My arm is strong and I can work

For everything that’s dear.


I came, I saw, I conquered all

A distant crag, a rock

That crushes every obstacle.

Anticipate the aftershock.


Five hundred sheets make up a ream

Fish roe make up caviar

An orange glow flows over me

I have made it this far.


I break the walls of every cage

Cement isn’t strong enough

To hold me in captivity

And iron I will break up.


There’re many things that can stunt age

Our world is filled with them

Nonsense I will not tolerate

And so I chant amen.


What word do you think gave me all those words to write those verses? The answer is... ENCOURAGEMENT. Spend some time identifying some of the words that I derived from this words and wove into this poem.

Before you go, spend a few minutes to browse the blog and do subscribe to get posts as soon as they are published. 

About the Author

Janette B. Fuller is a ghost writer and author of four books. 

When you are ready to write your story and/or after you have written your story, make contact with her at writingwisdomtree@gmail.com. She'll help you write your best story by helping you arrange your thoughts and/or edit your work. Check out her books here. 



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