Creative Writing Is A Lot Like Improv

Writing is a lot like improv at times. Do you remember that show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” Those performers went along with anything the other said, and the scenes they built from it were legendary. 

Similarly, you can approach your fiction this way. Have you ever gotten stuck in a scene or a point in the storyline where you don’t know what’s supposed to happen next? Trying asking yourself this:

Yes, and?

Like your fellow improv performers, throw out an idea and then roll with it. Neighbor’s cat runs away? Yes, and also you saw the other neighbor steal him! Your main character discovers he/she is allergic to ice cream ? Yes, AND they work at an ice cream store where they have to come up with custom flavors and they can’t even taste the prototypes…

See the chaos that ensues? The cause and effect? The conflict and resolution? 

Try it the next time you’re feeling stuck, I bet you’ll see a big change in progress and momentum!

If you want to test out the “yes, and” theory with me, join me at a writing sprint! They’re every Wednesday morning at 10:30 AM PST and Friday evening at 5:30 PM PST.