Cheryl:
It’s been a long time since I have attempted any writing exercises, so this past week I tried writing a “six word story.” Here are a few of my attempts:
“Sorry, no discount on child-sized coffins.”
Home from fighting, not from war.
Like a turtle, she sheltered herself.
They’re harder than you might imagine. I’ve found that the most difficult thing is that each can be interpreted in so many different ways. I feel I’m not effectively translating the story in my head to that of you, the reader. And after all, that transfer is what good writing is all about, right?
Try it! Post your results in the comments, I’d love to see what others came up with.
Brenda:
Trying to think of an idea for today’s blog, I looked at the oldest item in my “To Read” file — mostly old copies of Writers Digest Online saved for later inspiration. My oldest (which SHOULD have been a journal entry) included a note from Staci, real estate agent and friend, trying to sell my condo so I could move back to SLC. The memories it brought back made me laugh — besides, now it’s June!
Dec 12, 2009
Staci: I would like to show your home please at 10 am Tuesday . . . Let me know if this is ok. . . . Thanks!
Brenda: Tuesday would be fine EXCEPT. . . (then I listed details like):
. . . in my 4th day of frozen pipes — absolutely NO water
. . . unable to do laundry
. . . dishes (hidden in dishwasher — mostly eating out)
. . . run to the club house to use the bathroom
. . . signed up for a seven-day trial at a fitness place so I can take a shower
. . . cleaning lady scheduled Monday
. . . if water’s still frozen, I’ll tell her to wait
. . . guy from (condo) Management came tonight (thanks to neighbor)
. . . put a space heater up in garage ceiling where pipes are
. . . last time, I think it took a couple days to thaw out after space heater installed
. . . later, they added more insulation
. . . extreme cold this week: it evidently isn’t enough
. . . call me late tomorrow — I’ll possibly know more
. . . this would NOT be a good “selling point”
You MUST have similar “nightmare” memories? What are they? How could you put them into your novel? How would your characters react? Will it be an angst-ridden scene in your book, or will it be comic? Any one? AnnDee?
Me:
Change is afoot at Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers (www.wifyr.com). An announcement about Things To Come will occur on the last day of the conference. I’m overwhelmed. No, wait! I’m excited about what we’ll soon be offering with this conference to help people be better writers. And get published!
Shhh! Don’t say you heard it here! I’m letting the cat out of the bag a little early.
🙂
PS Yahoo for cliches!
Throwing Up Words 