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Writing Resource: “Meme” Creative Writing Exercises for Writers
By Deb Gallardo
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I’m encountering the term “meme” with greater frequency these days (like the term “blog” a few years ago). New vocabulary words with obscure etymology fascinate me. I found myself having to do Google searches for the definition every few days. (Boomer Brain Syndrome…) Now that I’ve looked it up enough times, although I’m not confessing just how many times, I finally “get” it, and it’s actually pretty cool.
Whatis.com shows this definition:
“A meme is an idea that is passed on from one human generation to another. It’s the cultural equivalent of a gene, the basic element of biological inheritance.”
They also add this seeming contradiction:
“Today, the word is sometimes applied ironically to ideas deemed to be [only] of passing value.”
Does this mean there are enduring memes and then there are short-lived memes? Hmmm.
Read entire Whatis definition ยป
A weekly “meme” blog for writers (you’ll have to draw your own conclusions about which definition applies…) at The Eavesdrop Writer is an interesting exercise in taking an actual conversation and using it as a story inspiration.
The blog’s content at this point is uneven in its quality, but I mention it here because why couldn’t any writer do this as his/her own exercise? Go to lunch or out for a beverage - warm if you’re in the northern hemisphere, chilled if you live in the southern hemisphere where I’d like to be right about now - and just listen. Don’t forget to take notes unless you have perfect recall. Then go home and write what happens next.
Taking down the exact conversation is important to capturing the flavor, nuances and character of the speakers. You can do the same thing while walking at the mall, but the opportunity to take notes isn’t there. How about sitting on a mall bench with a pad and paper and eavesdropping. Be surreptitious about this, unless you want people thinking you’re spying (lots of paranoid people out there with something to hide). I’d put “GIFT LIST” at the top of the page in big, bold letters, in case anyone is looking over your shoulder. This ruse will likely only work during peak shopping seasons.
CAUTION
Since these are real conversations, there is no guarantee the language or subject matter is suitable for children. Parents are advised to pre-screen all posts on this blog.
I thought the quality of the following were the best of the lot as of this writing:
Or click here for the home page.
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