Here to learn? You’re in the WRITE place!

Stories teach us, inspire us, and allow us to experience worlds we would not otherwise know. We learn about each other through sharing stories. We watch stories unfold on TV and in movies, read stories in books and magazines, and tell each other stories about our days, our childhoods, our travels.

Two weeks ago, I attended a panel presentation called “Storytellers: The Power of Perspective” during Chicago Ideas Week. While listening to the speakers, I was inspired by their different perspectives on storytelling—where they find inspiration, how they communicate stories, why they think stories are important and need to be told.

If you want to explore a new style of storytelling, here are six creative approaches to try:

Choosing what to write next is the most important decision you can make as a writer. If you choose poorly, you’ll finish your piece and realize no one is interested in reading what you’ve written. Worse, you might have to abandon it in the middle, realizing you never should have started it in the first place.

How do you choose the right project to work on next?

Have you ever watched children play outside? They explore every small rock, dig with their fingers through grass and dirt, run without a worry about time or purpose or direction.

Have you ever listened to children talk? They tell stories in animated tones, ask questions with wonder and curiosity, offer up fresh descriptions and details no adult would notice.

Writing from a child’s perspective pushes you to view the world differently and allows you to write freely—without doubt, without self-editing along the way. Although we have all been children earlier in our lives, it’s often difficult to capture that mindset again. Here’s how to tap into your inner child: