For the next little while, I'll be posting writing prompts taken from Victoria Hanley's Seize the Story. We bought two copies of this book, because one isn't enough for the aspiring writers in our home. I noticed great growth in Sarah's and Meg's writing thanks to this book, which is why I am now going through the exercises myself. (Because, frankly, it's a little humbling to do Nano with your daughters and discover to your delight and distress that they are now writing experts and you, gasp, need to work on it).
When I'm done these exercises, I plan to listen to Brandon Sanderson and others' podcast Writing Excuses, because, again, it's been so good for Sarah and Meg. But first, today's exercise.
So, from Seize the Story, today's prompt is:
Think of something you wish you had the nerve to say. Now imagine a character who could easily say this thing you can't. Think about the character for a few minutes. Try to see him/her with your mind's eye. Now interview him or her. Like you would if you were a talk-show host. You don't have to ask him/her about that thing you wish you could say, because, of course, then we would all know what you're wishing you could say and that might be personal. Probably is. Or you would have no trouble saying it. Just ask them whatever you want. Get to know them. For 1/2 an hour. Post the interview here.
Question: Does it have to be a actual character from a/your book?
ReplyDeleteNope. It can be a brand new character.
DeleteMe: Miss Adelaide Anderson, thanks for joining us today.
ReplyDeleteAddie: You're welcome. Or you would be, if you'd call me Addie.
Me: You don't like Adelaide?
Addie: Do you?
Me: Well... I've never really thought about it.
Addie: I have. It's a terrible name. No offense meant to my grandmother.
Me: I see. So you were named for your grandmother.
Addie: Yes. And she was a good woman. Level-headed. Energetic. Always laughing. And she made the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever tasted. But her name just, well, it doesn't translate very well into the 21st Century.
Me: Why's that?
Addie: As a matter of fact, I think it's time to talk about something else.
Me: Okay. Let's talk about Rigo.
Addie: Rigo?
Me: Your partner in the Isaiah contest.
Addie: Oh, right. What about him?
Me: Why'd you pair up with him?
Addie: Because he's safe. And Alan was headed my way.
Me: Oh. You don't like Alan?
Addie: I don't know Alan. He seems nice enough. But he's definitely not safe?
Me: How's that?
Addie: Didn't you see the look in his eyes? It's been there since I explained about Lehi murmuring. I had to hightale it out of there as soon as Institute was over, or he'd have asked me out that night.
Me: Would that be so terrible?
Addie: Yeah. It would.
Me: Because?
Addie: Because Alan wants something serious. It would just be frustrating all around.
Me: And Rigo?
Addie: Rigo's not looking for anything. He's quiet. He's never looked at me twice. I think we'll get along just fine.
Me: But what do you think of him?
Addie: I just told you. He's quiet. I think we'll get along.
Me: What do you think of how he looks?
Addie: Uh, is there any way Rigo could hear about this?
Me: No. This interview is only going to be posted in the real world. There's no way that Rigo will ever see it or hear about it.
Addie: Okay then. I think he's cute. Way cute. He reminds me of Pancho from CHIPS.
Me: No way. You've watched CHIPS? That was one of my favourites when I was growing up.
Addie: My mom too. That's why I've watched it. Last year, she bought Seasons one and two on DVD and we watched them together.
Me: You and your mom are pretty close, then?
Addie: We were. Mom and Dad died in a car accident 6 months ago.
Me: Ouch. I'm sorry to hear that.
Addie: Thanks.
Me: So, are you all alone now? Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Addie: I have a sister. In Oregon. She has five little kids and a demanding husband. She's pretty busy.
Me: How long have you been in Arizona?
Addie: A month now. I love this place.
Me: And what brought you here?
Addie: I got a job teaching math and coaching debate at Camelback High.
Me: Speaking of debate, do you really believe what you said about the writing on the Liahona?
Addie: Absolutely. It's the only thing that makes sense.
Me: But it's total speculation.
Addie: It's reading between the lines.
Me: But it's not the only explanation.
Addie: No. It's just the best one.
Me: You can't say that. How do you know there isn't a better one?
Addie: I already told you. I've thought it through and it's the only thing that really makes sense, that fits all the pieces. Look, if you're putting a puzzle together, how do you know if you're doing it right?
Me: The pieces fit. They physically fit together. And the image they make when you put them together fits the big picture on the box.
Addie: Exactly. I rest my case.
Oh, Addie. You are so special. Ha ha.
DeleteGreat work, Mom. I love it.
Interview with Tex.
DeleteME: Thank you for joining us today, Tex.
TEX: Uh, sure. You said you had some questions?
ME: Yes, we do indeed. (flipping through file) It says here you’ve been with the Multi-National Paranormal Organization for two years; what we wonder is, where were you before this.
TEX: I was living solo in the Rockies.
ME: And this was because you were driven from your home?
TEX: Not really. I hadn’t shared my mutation with anyone, a part of me wasn’t even sure I wasn’t just seeing things. But towns feel… confined, while the mountains’ breath of freedom. I guess it was this—joined with peoples’ general dislike of anything abnormal—that finally made me leave.
ME: If settlements disturb you so, why not leave the hideout?
TEX: The camp isn’t an established settlement. It still has that independent feel. I guess it also has to do with how I can leave without anyone protesting. No one has the impression that they can control me.
I like! Tex sounds real.
ReplyDeleteThank you, though I'm not sure I agree.
ReplyDelete