Blogging Distarcted alt header image with evolved logo and alternative site text.

Gaining proficiency in any skill requires practice, and writing is no different.

Social Writing Exercise writers sitting around a table

There are numerous exercise techniques for writers out there, I see efforts posted in writers’ groups all the time.

  • Describe this…
  • Caption that…
  • Continue the story….

They all offer opportunities to practice. And as I mentioned, practice is important. Unfortunately, many writers believe that working on their current project is all the practice they need. For most, that is sadly not true. Admittedly, I reads through those social writing posts but rarely participates. It’s not that I don’t practice or think these posts are a great idea, I just never cared for this social writing approach, which is odd as I love tabletop RPGs.

For me, telling a shared story with a group of friends at the table is the ultimate form of exercise for the imagination, and is, in my humble opinion, one of the best social writing exercises available. I build settings, create characters, and tell a variety of stories across numerous genres. And talk about improv – if you’ve ever run or participated in a game, you know that players at the table rarely follow the story as designed.

social writing at the table

Their reactions force me to adapt the story in new and often better ways, giving me a variety of different perspectives, while pointing out or taking advantage of plot holes. If you want to be humbled, try running a mystery for a group of friends – they’ll overlook clues you think are obvious and latch onto a random plot point that you included only to enhance the atmosphere.

And I love it.

Another fun social writing exercise I enjoy is making up endings for things I see in public. Every day, people you don’t know pass through your life – walking down the sidewalk, at the grocery store, in line for coffee, wherever. Just because you don’t know their story, doesn’t mean you can’t make one up. And it’s even better when your wife/partner/friend or whomever, asks what you’re thinking about. That question then gives you permission to share the story you just made up about the big grumpy guy in camouflage out buying a box of Twinkies for a feathery creature his daughter found out in the woods that apparently has sweet tooth.

Social WritingThe expression of regret on their face for asking makes it so much more fun.

Writing is by and large a solo experience – sitting alone at the keyboard, putting words to the page. Practice doesn’t have to be and can be much more effective when done socially.

Whether you’re participating in social writing exercises, making up silly stories to entertain children, torturing players at the gaming table, or enthralling friends, family, or your impossibly patient wife with wild tales of random people, find a way to be social and practice your craft, it will make you a better writer.

Note Thank you all for your wonderful support, this Writing Blog is going on hiatus for a bit so I can finish up some other projects, but it will return. The Story Blog will continue.

If you enjoyed this writing blog, please share in your favorite social media platform.

And subscribe below for news and new content alerts.