How to Write Like a Pirate

Monday (September 19) was International Talk Like a Pirate Day. So if you missed it, all I can say is, “Shiver me timbers!”

It got me thinking, what if there was a Write Like a Pirate Day?

A Google search revealed that Romance Writer’s Revenge was way ahead of me. They designated Monday as–you guessed it–Write Like a Pirate Day. And they offered write-like-a-pirate advice:

1. Wear your best pirate outfit.

2. Drink your best rum (or drink of choice).

3. Open with your best pirate swagger.

The thinking behind the above tips, of course, is that you can’t write like a pirate unless you look like a pirate, drink like a pirate, and swagger (or maybe weave because of the rum?) like a pirate.

I also liked their Captain Jack Sparrow Plot Wheel, which are suggestions for when you can’t release your inner pirate. Consider the following pirate-writing prompts:

• Stage a kidnapping
• Kiss someone
• Drink some rum
• Steal some booty
• Escape from the British Navy

I realize this is unorthodox writing advice, but it might just be the spark you need.