« Writing Resources - Interview 2 with Louis de Bernieres | BLOG HOME | Writing Resources - Interview 3 with Louis de Bernieres »
Creative Writing Exercises: Road Signs
By Deb Gallardo
As drivers we are trained to see and follow road signs. At some point it becomes automatic. We see, respond and move on almost without giving it a lot of thought. But when we encounter road signs out of context, they sometimes take on new meaning or gain in significance.
Below are some examples of actual road signs. I don’t expect that each of these will resonate with everyone, but if you don’t view them with a driver’s eyes, but instead look at them as normal phrases, a new meaning may emerge.
Gas Food Lodging
Opportunity Next Right
The Sidewalk Ends Here
Resume Legal Speed
Slow School Zone
Slow Children at Play
No Right on Red
Cross Walk
Next Rest Area 50 Miles
Merging Traffic
Exit Now
Keep Right
Slow Traffic Keep Right
Stay in Lane
Road Construction Ahead
End Construction
One Way
One Way Do Not Enter
Let one or more of these phrases “marinate” in your mind. Roll them over your tongue. Emphasize a different word. Read them as questions. Keep “playing” with the words until something clicks in your mind. It will happen if you don’t give up too soon.
You can think of these as potential titles to inspire a story. You could write a story about road signs — all kinds of road signs. Let your imagination run amok and have fun. If you have more sign ideas, please comment below.
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Related Posts
- Story Ideas from Journaling
- Story Idea Tips to Get Your Writing Started
- Story Ideas - Seasonal Story Prompts
- Story Ideas - I Don’t Think We’re in Middle Earth Anymore, Frodo
- Story Ideas - From an Old School’s Demise