|
|
|
IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: SOS
These exercises were written
by IWW members and administrators to provide structured practice opportunities for its members. You are welcome to use them for practice as well. Please mention that you found them at the Internet Writers Workshop(http://www.internetwritingworkshop.org/).
Prepared by: Alice Folkart
Posted on: Sun, November 2, 2014
Reposted on: Sun, November 13, 2016
Reposted on: Sun, February 21, 2021
____________
In 400 words or fewer write a scene in which we see someone
who needs to be rescued. You might want to show us the physical
surroundings, briefly set up the situation, and give us a peek
into the character’s emotional state.
____________
Ships sinking, planes crashing, floodwaters rising, wild beasts
circling for the kill, cars breaking down in the night on lonely
highways, burglars, kidnappers, your mother-in-law, your neighbor’s
dog, a boring blind date, shots in the night, street riots – any of
these could trap and/or threaten a character or characters leaving
someone needing to be rescued. Is this happening in present reality,
in the historical past, or in a far galaxy? Is this story realistic or
magical?
Your vignette could be gripping, frightening or funny. Perhaps a
friend has been cornered by a geeky bore at a party, and she signals
with her eyes a plea for someone to rescue her. Or maybe a boy is
taking an important college exam, and is stuck, hit by questions that
he never expected – how is he rescued?
____________
When critiquing, consider whether or not you were hooked by the
opening, whether or not you would have read further eager to know
what would happen. Are the characters three-dimensional or flat.
Is the piece about character or are plot and action more important?
And of course, consider the quality of the writing.
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Gayle Surrette.
| | |