The Squawking that changed how I write

Because I didn't know what to write about, I stalled as long as I could and focused instead on gathering my thoughts, finding some scratch paper, stationery, a pen, getting a sip of water, and figuring out where to sit.

It wasn't the first time I'd been stumped trying to figure out what to write. That day it was a letter.

It was the day I heard the neighbor's chickens squawking. And it was the day that changed everything.

The squawking was so loud I couldn't ignore it.

I stopped procrastinating (well, not so much) to look out the window to be sure they weren't under attack.

And that's when I knew what to write about ... the chickens.

I wrote about how the neighbor's chicken coop sits at the low end of the backyard. How we like to sit on the back porch and watch them ... as if we're watching a documentary ... chicken TV, I scribbled.

How when one chicken goes in the coop, they all go in. When one comes out, they all come out. And how they peck, peck peck. All day long ... peck, peck, pecking.

No more ruffled feathers

Those chickens changed everything for me. That day I figured out not only what to write about, but what makes better writing.

Stories. Your stories and my stories. One at a time.

It's impossible to cover everything in one story, so you have to choose one thing to write about.

And then make it relevant.

What's the story behind:

- How you learned  ________.
- When you figured out _______.
- What happens when you _______.

Can I help you write, edit, or develop a story? Let's talk.

And in the meantime, download your free copy of the Story Inventory and start writing.