Writing Into the Writing Into the DayDay

ELA Narrative Writing ELA Narrative Writing ExercisesExercises

First Thoughts: In her book, First Thoughts: In her book, Writing Down the BonesWriting Down the Bones, , Natalie Goldberg says that a basic principal of writing Natalie Goldberg says that a basic principal of writing practice is the timed exercise. In order to experience it practice is the timed exercise. In order to experience it to its full extent, Goldberg says you must commit and to its full extent, Goldberg says you must commit and follow these rules:follow these rules: Keep your hand moving. (Don’t pause to reread the line you have Keep your hand moving. (Don’t pause to reread the line you have

just written. That’s stalling and trying to get control of what just written. That’s stalling and trying to get control of what you’re saying. you’re saying.

Don’t cross out. (That is editing as you write. Even if you write Don’t cross out. (That is editing as you write. Even if you write something you didn’t mean to write, leave it.)something you didn’t mean to write, leave it.)

Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation, grammar. (Don’t even Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation, grammar. (Don’t even care about staying within the margins and lines on the page.)care about staying within the margins and lines on the page.)

Lose control.Lose control. Don’t think. Don’t get logical.Don’t think. Don’t get logical. Go for the jugular. (If something comes up in your writing that is Go for the jugular. (If something comes up in your writing that is

scary or naked, dive right into it. It probably has lots of energy.) scary or naked, dive right into it. It probably has lots of energy.)

For ten minutes, ignore your “internal censor,” what you For ten minutes, ignore your “internal censor,” what you thinkthink you should say or write, and pay attention to your you should say or write, and pay attention to your first thoughtsfirst thoughts. .

Writing with DetailWriting with Detail

Without knowing anything at all about Without knowing anything at all about what it is going to be, just lift your pen and what it is going to be, just lift your pen and write a single, specific, concrete image. write a single, specific, concrete image. See it in your mind, and as fast as you can, See it in your mind, and as fast as you can, write it down. Describe it in extreme write it down. Describe it in extreme detail. The more specific and intimate, the detail. The more specific and intimate, the better. Don’t allow yourself to predict better. Don’t allow yourself to predict where it’s going. Write one detail after where it’s going. Write one detail after another. Skip around. Abandon one thing another. Skip around. Abandon one thing when another appears in your mind. Only when another appears in your mind. Only when you find a treasure will nothing else when you find a treasure will nothing else interrupt you. interrupt you. Schneider, p. 16Schneider, p. 16

Description: Making the Description: Making the Unfamiliar FamiliarUnfamiliar Familiar

Write about something you do often—Write about something you do often—shaving, mowing the lawn, walking the shaving, mowing the lawn, walking the dog, folding laundry, washing dishes, dog, folding laundry, washing dishes, cooking a favorite dish, feeding the cooking a favorite dish, feeding the animals, doing homework.animals, doing homework.

Schneider, pp. 319-Schneider, pp. 319-320320

Reconstruct a Movie Moment Reconstruct a Movie Moment --PetersonPeterson

Recall a single movie moment that was so Recall a single movie moment that was so memorable that it eclipsed the rest of the memorable that it eclipsed the rest of the film.film.

Bambi is full of darting butterflies and Bambi is full of darting butterflies and sleeping possums. Deer learned to walk in sleeping possums. Deer learned to walk in the snow and bunnies learned to thump the snow and bunnies learned to thump their feet. Children see all this, but most their feet. Children see all this, but most forget as they grow older. But they forget as they grow older. But they remember the moment Bambi’s mother is remember the moment Bambi’s mother is shot. Find a similar moment in another film shot. Find a similar moment in another film and recreate it with as much detail as you and recreate it with as much detail as you can.can.

Audience Awareness: Audience Awareness: Picturing Your Reader -Picturing Your Reader -

PetersonPeterson Imagine and describe the appearance, Imagine and describe the appearance,

habits, and values of your “ideal” habits, and values of your “ideal” reader of the following:reader of the following: your resume for your dream jobyour resume for your dream job your personal adyour personal ad your letter of complaint (make it real—your letter of complaint (make it real—

remember a time you have been ripped remember a time you have been ripped off)off)

our letter to the editor of a specialized our letter to the editor of a specialized magazine you readmagazine you read

your best friend/closest confidantyour best friend/closest confidant

ToneTone

Take something that you feel Take something that you feel strongly about, whether strongly about, whether positively or negatively, and positively or negatively, and write about it for five write about it for five minutes as if you love it. At minutes as if you love it. At the end of five minutes, write the end of five minutes, write about the same topic for five about the same topic for five minutes as if you hate it. minutes as if you hate it.

ToneTone

Write about “leaving.” Write about “leaving.” Approach it from any angle Approach it from any angle you like. Write about divorce, you like. Write about divorce, death, the end of a school death, the end of a school year, or leaving the house year, or leaving the house this morning.this morning. Practice tone--Practice tone--Capture two completely opposite Capture two completely opposite emotions when “leaving”.emotions when “leaving”.

Goldberg says, “Writers end up Goldberg says, “Writers end up writing about their obsessions. writing about their obsessions. Things that haunt them; things Things that haunt them; things they can’t forget; stories they they can’t forget; stories they carry in their bodies waiting to carry in their bodies waiting to be released.” be released.”

What are your obsessions? What What are your obsessions? What do they say about you?do they say about you?

SettingSetting Visualize a place you really love. Visualize a place you really love.

Imagine every detail. It may be a Imagine every detail. It may be a beach far away, your bedroom, your beach far away, your bedroom, your grandmother’s house…Now write grandmother’s house…Now write about it. When someone else reads about it. When someone else reads about it, they should know what it’s about it, they should know what it’s like to be there. They should know like to be there. They should know that you love it, not because you’ve that you love it, not because you’ve said you love it, but by your details. said you love it, but by your details.

SettingSettingWrite a description of a place. You can Write a description of a place. You can

use any and all sensory descriptions use any and all sensory descriptions but sight: you can describe what it but sight: you can describe what it feels like, sounds like, smells like and feels like, sounds like, smells like and even tastes like. Try to write the even tastes like. Try to write the description in such a way that people description in such a way that people will not miss the visual details.will not miss the visual details.

http://www.poewar.com/fifteen-craft-exercises-for-writers/

Begin with the line "I Begin with the line "I remember" (or "I don't remember" (or "I don't remember"), and write for remember"), and write for fifteen minutes.fifteen minutes.

http://www.6ftferrets.com/exercise-content.html

Capturing a Scene— Capturing a Scene— “In This One…”“In This One…”

Call up from your memory a mental Call up from your memory a mental snapshot or actual photograph of someone snapshot or actual photograph of someone important to you. It is a good idea to take important to you. It is a good idea to take the first one that comes to mind. If you feel the first one that comes to mind. If you feel resistance to one, it may be an indication resistance to one, it may be an indication that there is a “knot” to be unraveled. that there is a “knot” to be unraveled. When you have the picture, begin writing When you have the picture, begin writing with these words: “In this one, you are…” with these words: “In this one, you are…” (You are writing to the person in the (You are writing to the person in the photograph.) p. 36, photograph.) p. 36, SchneiderSchneider

Scene It!Scene It!

You’re babysitting. Storms have You’re babysitting. Storms have knocked out the power. You find the knocked out the power. You find the flashlight and make shadow bunnies flashlight and make shadow bunnies on the wall, but you can tell the kids on the wall, but you can tell the kids are not amused. So instead, you are not amused. So instead, you decide to tell a scary story. Create a decide to tell a scary story. Create a story that would scare even the story that would scare even the toughest of teenagers. toughest of teenagers.

Scene It!Scene It!

You are given the opportunity to talk You are given the opportunity to talk to one deceased person and tell to one deceased person and tell him/her one thing that you didn't get him/her one thing that you didn't get to before he/she passed away. Who to before he/she passed away. Who would you pick and what would you would you pick and what would you tell?tell?

Scene It!Scene It!

You arrive at home to find You arrive at home to find all the items in your room all the items in your room packed up in a box. packed up in a box. There's no note and you There's no note and you have no idea what is going have no idea what is going on. Write this scene.on. Write this scene.

Scene It!Scene It!

One week after attending the One week after attending the funeral of a close friend, you funeral of a close friend, you receive a postcard in the mail receive a postcard in the mail with the words, "I'm not with the words, "I'm not dead. Meet me tonight at dead. Meet me tonight at Apollo's Pizzeria. Tell no Apollo's Pizzeria. Tell no one." one."

Scene It!Scene It!

A knock at the door catches you off-A knock at the door catches you off-guard. Upon answering it, you're guard. Upon answering it, you're greeted by a man who says he's from greeted by a man who says he's from the future—and he can prove it. the future—and he can prove it. More important, he says he has More important, he says he has information that will save your life. information that will save your life. Write this scene.Write this scene.

Scene It!Scene It!

You're at school and you print You're at school and you print something personal (and sensitive). something personal (and sensitive). Unfortunately, you've sent it to the Unfortunately, you've sent it to the wrong printer, and by the time you wrong printer, and by the time you realize it, someone else has already realize it, someone else has already scooped it up. Write this scene.scooped it up. Write this scene.

Creating a SceneCreating a SceneTo get you thinking:Who is she?Why is she alone?What is she thinking?What is she feeling?What happened to her?What does she hope/dream?Who is watching her?

Create her storyline.

Setting a SceneSetting a Scene

Write about your favorite childhood Write about your favorite childhood memory of playing in the snow. Fill the memory of playing in the snow. Fill the scene with sensory images—the snow, scene with sensory images—the snow, the air, the cold, the environment the air, the cold, the environment around you, sights, sounds, etc.around you, sights, sounds, etc.

If you've never been around snow, If you've never been around snow, write about what you dream it'd be like. write about what you dream it'd be like.

Imagine!Imagine!

You're standing outside a restaurant You're standing outside a restaurant next to a phone booth when, next to a phone booth when, suddenly, it rings. Your gut tells you suddenly, it rings. Your gut tells you not to answer it, but with each ring not to answer it, but with each ring you can't resist. Finally you pick up you can't resist. Finally you pick up the phone—and the events that the phone—and the events that follow change the rest of your life. follow change the rest of your life.

Imagine!Imagine!

Your plane crashes on a deserted Your plane crashes on a deserted island. You and two other island. You and two other passengers survive. The only passengers survive. The only salvageable items from the plane are salvageable items from the plane are pair of scissors, a stopwatch and an pair of scissors, a stopwatch and an electric keyboard. Use these items electric keyboard. Use these items creatively to get off the island. creatively to get off the island.

Novel ConclusionNovel Conclusion

Write the last line to an unwritten Write the last line to an unwritten novel that's so intriguing that others novel that's so intriguing that others won't help but want to read the book won't help but want to read the book

Imagine!Imagine!

You wake up one day with an You wake up one day with an unusual super power that seems unusual super power that seems pretty worthless—until you are pretty worthless—until you are caught in a situation that requires caught in a situation that requires that specific "talent." that specific "talent."

Show Don’t Tell: Show Don’t Tell: CharacterizationCharacterization

Practice writing about a character.Practice writing about a character. Make a list of characteristics such as Make a list of characteristics such as pompous, nervous, happy and see if pompous, nervous, happy and see if you can embody those you can embody those characteristics in writing that does characteristics in writing that does not name the characteristic. Use not name the characteristic. Use description and show the description and show the characteristic in the character’s characteristic in the character’s body posture, gesture, action. (p. 77 body posture, gesture, action. (p. 77 Schneider)Schneider)

CharacterizationCharacterization

Imagine sitting in your car or on a Imagine sitting in your car or on a public bench and observe the people public bench and observe the people going in and out of a store or public going in and out of a store or public building. Pick out one who catches building. Pick out one who catches your attention, and write about who your attention, and write about who you imagine that person is– where you imagine that person is– where do they live? What are they like? do they live? What are they like? Where are they going next?Where are they going next?

CharacterizationCharacterization

Write a character sketch of a family member or Write a character sketch of a family member or friend NOT AT THIS SCHOOL. friend NOT AT THIS SCHOOL.      1. Begin with a physical description. Try      1. Begin with a physical description. Try to include more senses than just the visual--to include more senses than just the visual--how the person sounds, smells, the texture of how the person sounds, smells, the texture of their hair and skin, etc. their hair and skin, etc.      2. Next, write a little about what you can't      2. Next, write a little about what you can't observe about the person from the outside. observe about the person from the outside. How do they move? Walk? Talk? Add some How do they move? Walk? Talk? Add some facts--job, where the person lives, favorite facts--job, where the person lives, favorite movie, type of music, etc.movie, type of music, etc.     3. Finally, drilling deeper, write some      3. Finally, drilling deeper, write some secret or dream of the person--something secret or dream of the person--something that perhaps no one knows. that perhaps no one knows.

Imagine!Imagine!

You wake up shackled to a chair and You wake up shackled to a chair and can't remember how you got there. can't remember how you got there. Two voices are talking. You Two voices are talking. You recognize one of them. recognize one of them.

Imagine!Imagine!

You've been waiting in a line for You've been waiting in a line for days to get concert tickets to your days to get concert tickets to your favorite band's upcoming show. favorite band's upcoming show. You're keeping track of your You're keeping track of your experience in a journal. What does it experience in a journal. What does it say? say?

Dialogue!Dialogue!

You've accidentally dialed the wrong You've accidentally dialed the wrong phone number, but the person who phone number, but the person who answers sounds familiar. answers sounds familiar. Immediately he/she recognizes you, Immediately he/she recognizes you, but because made the call you're too but because made the call you're too embarrassed to ask who it is. Using embarrassed to ask who it is. Using only dialogue, figure out who the only dialogue, figure out who the person is. person is.

Dialogue!Dialogue!

Using only dialogue, write Using only dialogue, write about a heated argument you about a heated argument you had with your parents or a had with your parents or a sibling (real or fictitious).sibling (real or fictitious).

Dialogue!Dialogue!

You roll through your favorite fast-You roll through your favorite fast-food drive-thru, order your usual, food drive-thru, order your usual, and wait for the cashier to repeat it and wait for the cashier to repeat it back to you. Only, he doesn't repeat back to you. Only, he doesn't repeat it. Instead, through the speaker, you it. Instead, through the speaker, you hear a very unsettling conversation. hear a very unsettling conversation. Write the dialogue of this Write the dialogue of this conversation.conversation.

Dialogue—Revealing Dialogue—Revealing Conflict!Conflict!

Write a dialogue in which two people Write a dialogue in which two people are discussing something very are discussing something very ordinary--what movie to see, who is ordinary--what movie to see, who is going to win the championship-- but going to win the championship-- but underlying the seemingly underlying the seemingly meaningless discussion is some meaningless discussion is some serious conflict between them. Show serious conflict between them. Show what is going on under the surface.what is going on under the surface.

Point of View!Point of View!

Write a paragraph revealing the Write a paragraph revealing the thoughts of the bird. Then write a thoughts of the bird. Then write a paragraph revealing the thoughts of paragraph revealing the thoughts of the cat. the cat.

Point of View!Point of View!

Write a real life memory of a time you Write a real life memory of a time you had a conflict with someone else. This had a conflict with someone else. This might have been you with one of your might have been you with one of your parents, or you with a sibling, or any parents, or you with a sibling, or any other conflict that comes to mind. other conflict that comes to mind.

Write the same scene again, but this Write the same scene again, but this time from the point of view of the time from the point of view of the other person.other person.

Point of ViewPoint of View

Write about a cell phone Write about a cell phone conversation from the perspective of conversation from the perspective of phone. phone.

Point of ViewPoint of View Take a brief, straightforward, first person narrative paragraph that you already have and Take a brief, straightforward, first person narrative paragraph that you already have and

play with it in a few ways.play with it in a few ways. The autobiographical note:The autobiographical note: I went to the post office this morning, go distracted, ate a I went to the post office this morning, go distracted, ate a

bagel, and read the NY Times. Should have been writing.bagel, and read the NY Times. Should have been writing. Third Person, Past Tense:Third Person, Past Tense: The woman started to the post office. Her intentions were The woman started to the post office. Her intentions were

good, but there was a bagel shop on the corner, and the door opened just as she good, but there was a bagel shop on the corner, and the door opened just as she approached. The smell that wafted out was fresh cinnamon-raisin…approached. The smell that wafted out was fresh cinnamon-raisin…

Third Person, Present Tense:Third Person, Present Tense: The woman starts to the post office. Her intentions are The woman starts to the post office. Her intentions are pure—she will go straight to the P.O. and straight back to her writing. The walk will do pure—she will go straight to the P.O. and straight back to her writing. The walk will do her good. She walks briskly to the corner, past the flower shop and the hair salon, but her good. She walks briskly to the corner, past the flower shop and the hair salon, but slows just a bit when she sees the sign: Bagels.slows just a bit when she sees the sign: Bagels.

Second Person, Present Tense:Second Person, Present Tense: You pick up the mail from your desk, check the You pick up the mail from your desk, check the postage on three letters and one wrapped birthday gift for Paul. Yep. All okay. You put postage on three letters and one wrapped birthday gift for Paul. Yep. All okay. You put on your gray sweater, grab your billfold, and head out. It’s a perfect day. You’ll come on your gray sweater, grab your billfold, and head out. It’s a perfect day. You’ll come right back and write. But—there’s the bagel shop….”right back and write. But—there’s the bagel shop….”

Dialogue without a Narrator (as in a script):Dialogue without a Narrator (as in a script): ““I went to the post office this morning.”I went to the post office this morning.”““Yes, you damned fool. And then you bought the New York Times and went to Yes, you damned fool. And then you bought the New York Times and went to

the Class é Café and the Class é Café and ate a bagel.”ate a bagel.”““So?”So?”““You should have been writing on your book.”You should have been writing on your book.”““I need my exercise! Dr. Chandran said if I don’t walk I’ll get osteoporosis!”I need my exercise! Dr. Chandran said if I don’t walk I’ll get osteoporosis!”Sneering) “And I suppose Dr. Chandran told you to eat that cinnamon-raisin Sneering) “And I suppose Dr. Chandran told you to eat that cinnamon-raisin

bagel slathered with bagel slathered with cream cheese too?”cream cheese too?”““Bug off!”Bug off!”““Write!”Write!”““All right already!”All right already!” p. 80 Schneiderp. 80 Schneider

Show Don’t Tell: Point of Show Don’t Tell: Point of ViewView

Write with concrete images Write with concrete images a poem or a scene a poem or a scene that does not name any emotional state, feeling, that does not name any emotional state, feeling, or interpretation, but reveals something beyond or interpretation, but reveals something beyond the images themselves. For example; describe the images themselves. For example; describe a house from the perspective of a young couple a house from the perspective of a young couple just about to buy it; then describe it again from just about to buy it; then describe it again from the point of view of a man whose wife left him the point of view of a man whose wife left him in a bitter divorce involving the ownership of in a bitter divorce involving the ownership of the house. Then describe it from the point of the house. Then describe it from the point of view of a woman whose grandmother used to view of a woman whose grandmother used to live in it. How do the windows, the doors, the live in it. How do the windows, the doors, the paint, the gardens, differ in each piece. (p. 77 paint, the gardens, differ in each piece. (p. 77 Schneider)Schneider)

Point of ViewPoint of View Think of a situation in which a long-Think of a situation in which a long-

held fear or anxiety that you have held fear or anxiety that you have comes true (this should be a situation comes true (this should be a situation which could, but has not yet which could, but has not yet happened). Now, using the third-happened). Now, using the third-person mode of narration, write a person mode of narration, write a scene – or a very short story – scene – or a very short story – describing a fictional version of describing a fictional version of yourself dealing with the situation. yourself dealing with the situation.

http://www.uiowa.edu/~writingc/handouts/fictionexercises.htm

Halloween!Halloween!

You arrive at an annual Halloween You arrive at an annual Halloween party only to discover that someone party only to discover that someone else is dressed in the same costume else is dressed in the same costume as you. Bad things start happening as you. Bad things start happening to you throughout the night and you to you throughout the night and you suspect this person has something to suspect this person has something to do with it. do with it.

Halloween!Halloween!

You're 13 years old and have You're 13 years old and have entered a school Halloween costume entered a school Halloween costume contest. There's stiff competition, contest. There's stiff competition, though you're confident you'll win—though you're confident you'll win—until you find out someone has until you find out someone has bribed the judge. Write this scene. bribed the judge. Write this scene.