Short Writing Exercise
May 18th 2010 12:43
We are now halfway through the month, and thus halfway through our Dear Diary projects. While I have personally fallen behind, I'm hoping that most of you have succeeded in writing every day.
Today, I'd like to distract you from your Dear Diary project to do an unrelated writing exercise:
Write a 2000 word story about a young woman's (16-24) first day in a strange new town or city. Take the main character as she emerges throughout the story and create her a profile. Then think-could this character star in another story? What might they do that's worth writing about?
Comment with the name of your character, the first line of your story, and one thing you found really interesting about your character.
Today, I'd like to distract you from your Dear Diary project to do an unrelated writing exercise:
Write a 2000 word story about a young woman's (16-24) first day in a strange new town or city. Take the main character as she emerges throughout the story and create her a profile. Then think-could this character star in another story? What might they do that's worth writing about?
Comment with the name of your character, the first line of your story, and one thing you found really interesting about your character.
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Comment by RedParrot
Really Long Link
Then think-could this character star in another story?
Yes. Although this might have been a cheat on my part. I had the opportunity to write about the "she" that Elgin keeps going on about.
What might they do that's worth writing about?
I think in her case, the first day of University is a big deal - for many reasons most important among them being she has longed for this moment.
Comment with the name of your character,
Avis. Funky first name.
Ignatiaff. Mother's maiden name.
Carmichael. Celtic / scottish
The "right" name for me is critically important. Oddly - during nano and sfrenzy - I notoriously change character names. In my defence - they are just "drifts" not whole sale revisions. Ie Roberto becomes Ricardo. He doesn't become Fritzie.
the first line of your story,
I like the first line. Sort of old school Nancy Drew mixed with Stewie Griffin. : ) Starting with an almost-swear is spunky - who the character is.
and one thing you found really interesting about your character.
I love that she was able to create a massive "fantasy" treasure hunt ... love that. I also liked how she interfaces with people - lots of character interaction. Maybe a residual from so much SFrenzy where it's all about other people and dialogue. Funny that.
Have to say - today threw me for a loop. But I like the idea of giving Elgin a break for a day. Also - the entry is largely unedited and not quote the 2,000 requested.
Last observation - my first nano is sort of a character study of where and how everyone came to be (and I used the same cast in nano 2 and 3). Character studies are a natural part of the process - ie - one way or another, they need to be written. : )
I'm hoping we can go back to Elgin tomorrow ... I feel like I have abandonned him. : ) All for a good cause, however. : )
Cheers!
RP
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
I'm glad that you enjoyed this exercise and got to explore a character you're not as familiar with. I think it's good to shake things up once in a while-I've been known to get way too obsessed with one project and completely abandon the others on many occasions.
I really enjoy studying my characters and learning who they are by writing different stories. It gives me a chance to explore their past, their voice, and to switch up the PoV I'm working in.
Tomorrow we'll go back to our usual characters-the Demon is swearing at me from a corner at the moment.
~Dianna