YOUR BEST WRITING PROMPTS! (An invitation)
Hi Everyone,
Last week we hit the milestone of 50 writing prompts since Las Dos Brujas newsletter started late last March.
Today, I want to say thanks—and extend an invitation—for all of you who’ve been following along and, hopefully, getting ideas (and new pages) from these exercises.
Now I’d like to ask you to write down a favorite prompt of yours in the comments section. Something of your own (I know many of you are teachers, too) or by another writer you’ve worked with.
Let’s spread the wealth—and some early holiday cheer!
Abrazos,
Cristina
Lastly, here are a couple of short exercises based on short stories I love:
1. Write a scene in which the main character’s moment of change, epiphany, transformation, or discovery is subtly seeded in the opening lines or paragraphs and then described, in scene, at some point early in the story.
Inspired by: “The Upstairs People” by Laura van den Berg.
https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/books/a31000241/laura-van-den-berg-short-story-upstairs-people/
2. Write a scene or paragraph in which a metaphor is used to describe a character’s realization that something has changed irrevocably. Be patient when rendering the moment, and be tender enough to allow it to develop with a single, sweet organic voice that says this has happened, and I am unable to explain it except like this. In essence, you are creating a metaphor to convey that which cannot be said outright.
Inspired by: “The Moths” by Helena María Viramontes
http://rwwsoundings.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/The-Moths-Viramontes.pdf
Unlike the previous exercise I posted, this one is about expansion. It's set up to help us add detail and description to lackluster sentences.
"Exploding & Exploring the Moment
"Exploding & Exploring a moment" is a tool that can really add depth to writing. The following exercise demonstrates how “Exploring the Moment” forces us to show, not tell, use descriptive details, use active voice, and take our time when crafting narrative passages.
Procedure:
1. Read the following paragraph:
I woke up late this morning--as usual. I had no clean clothes and the fridge was next to bare. Traffic was heavy as I sped to work. Some jerk cut me off and I almost had a wreck. At work I went to my desk and there was a note to go and see the boss. I waited outside her office for a while before she called me in. I couldn’t figure out why she wanted to see me. I went inside and sat down. My boss handed me an envelope. She told me that my services were no longer needed and that I was free to go. I got my belongings from my desk and left. The drive home was quick. I am now unemployed.
2. Note the lack of details in this paragraph. Notice that it lacks life. It’s all telling (exposition) and no showing (scene, details). But also notice how any one of these sentences could be "exploded" to create an interesting story.
Example:
“Some jerk cut me off and I almost had a wreck. I hate people who can’t drive. I decided to teach him a little lesson by playing near bumper cars with his bright red 300 ZX. He kept hitting his brakes, and eventually even shook a fist of rage at me. I giggled gleefully—kind of like that lady in Fried Green Tomatoes who got immense pleasure from repeatedly rear ending the car of the person who had stolen her parking space. Space is crucial, and that jerk will probably think twice before he cuts into mine again.”
Notice how this “explosion” gives us a sense of voice, uses vivid detail, and provides insight into the speaker’s personality, past, and like and dislikes. By taking the time to slow down the action and provide sensory detail, the world in the passage is brought to life.
Now it’s your turn:
3. Choose one sentence to explode and make up the most interesting details you can—as long as your additions will still fit in the facts of the original paragraph. We’re still describing an individual who’s late, gets called in by the boss, and is fired.
4. Once we’ve all had time to write, let’s read the original paragraph out lout, one sentence at a time, and have volunteers share their explosions as the sentence they chose is read aloud.
5. Note the differences between the bare bones of the first paragraph and the rich details of the explosions: This is something you can do with all of your papers to ensure your reader in engaged and informed."