Because my students have such a wide variety of tastes, I’ve started developing either/or prompts for them. Some like gore and action. Others like world-building. Then, others of my students delight in closely observed personal interactions.
Writing that Pulls in Two Directions – By Design!
Following on from my last blog post, on the subject of ‘Floating Opposites’, (see Can Creative Writing Be Taught? Part 2,) whichever of the exercises below that you choose is a chance to put that theory into practice.
Option One
You are trying to persuade an obstinate toddler to leave the house. Take a few days on this, let it percolate, and also keep in mind dialogue – how do small children actually speak? As a rough guide, aim for three paragraphs, but let it be longer or shorter if that feels right.
Option Two
The alien in your captivity knows where your crew member is being held hostage. All you have to do is get it to talk. As with option one, let this prompt simmer, and think about world-building. Then try to let the world filter through your scene organically, resisting the temptation to explain it.
Have Fun!
Let me know how you get on in a comment and I’ll post another prompt on the 1st of next month, (a little earlier in the day, hopefully!)
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