Unlike real physical exercise, I love writing exercises. And I especially love writing prompts. Those few words or sentence gives me a freedom to write about anything, without my own creative restrictions, precisely because I didn't come up with the writing prompt. Weird, but that works well for me.
I also like coming up with book openers. You know, the way the first couple of sentences look on the first page -- sentences that are supposed to hook you immediately.
I try to do this frequently, just for fun, but I really try to do this on genres that I don't typically write in.
For example:
Murder is tricky. Sometimes, it takes the victim by surprise and other times, the victim knows it's coming from miles away. Kind of like the sound of a train whistle on a train not yet visible. But when Matthew Sasson murdered me, I'd heard that train whistle for months.
-paranormal mystery
I don't write paranormal. But, it would probably be pretty fun. This is a small way for me to be a paranormal writer, without writing a book.
Another example:
Her blond wig was far too big for her face. Her fake tan and giant sunglasses were glaringly obvious as a hasty disguise. But here on the Florida coast, no one seemed to give her appearance a second thought, because Carrie Tran looked just like every other woman there.
-thriller
I don't write thrillers. They aren't my style, and honestly, I haven't read many of them. But, does that matter?
As a writer, it's kind of like being an actor. You should know how to write in different genres, like acting a good guy, bad guy, nerd, jock, etc, because it's fantastic exercise.
-H