Intro and first prompt for the 2007 workshop series, "Believable Fiction". |
Believable Fiction Workshop The information, prompts, and exercises in this workshop are borrowed from two books in the Write Great Fiction Series, published by "Writer's Digest". Description and Setting by Ron Rozelle Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint by Nancy Kress The only requirements for this workshop are reading the prompt, and writing for about 10 or 20 or 30 minutes in response to the prompt. If you write with pen and paper, you might want to use a spiral notebook so that you can keep all you writing for this workshop together. Your writing response to each month's prompt should be created as a Writing.com item (with its unique number), and file it in two places: One copy should be filed in your own portfolio, in a folder you need to create by the name of "UWW2 Writings"; A second copy of your writing should be posted in our group's forum so that the teacher and other interested parties can locate and read your work. Please post your work here, and read what others have written..........
Our focus this month is on description and setting. I suggest you set a timer for 10, or 20, or 30 minutes--how ever much time you can afford to spend writing. When the timer goes off, finish your thought, and place the last period. Then look back over your work to catch any typos.. The prompts are designed for you to write a section of fiction focusing on a specific aspect of the creative process, rather than getting you to write an entire short story in response to each prompt. You don't need to purchase the book by Ron Rozelle unless it holds some special writing treasures you must possess. This week: Details! Details!! Details!!! Be as specific as you can when responding to the prompt (one, or more if you like) from the list below. Remember about the five senses, colors, textures, and any other aspects you are particularly good at describing. First, pick one (or more) topic(s) from the list below. 1. A trip to the dentist 2. A farm 3. Riding mass transit (bus, train, subway) 4. Saturday chores 5. A busy street Make a list of items or phrases you could use in describing this situation. Second, choose one of the topics (or more) and give examples for each sense.: smell, taste, touch, seeing, hearing Third, set your timer and begin writing a descriptive passage using the brainstorm materials you've generated. Your purpose is to be as descriptive as possible. Don't try to write a complete short story. Post your work in the forum through this link
If you have questions or need help send an e-mail to patrice@writing.com. I'm looking forward to us becoming an active and creative group. ~Patrice Lauren, AKA a sunflower in Texas and former English, ESL, and history teacher for 13 lucky years |