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IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: Oh God, Why Me? (Version 4)
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: Prepared by: Rhéal Nadeau
Posted on: September 14, 2003
Reposted on: September 26, 2004
Reposted on: October 2, 2005
Revised and reposted on: February 25, 2007
Reposted on: May 28, 2008
Revised and reposted on: May 17, 2009
Revised and reposted on: August 23, 2015
Reposted on: September 30, 2018
Reposted on: July 4, 2021
____________
In 400 words, write a scene with someone faced with a series of
unfortunate events that creates a worsening situation. This continues
to build until a crisis demands action or reaction from the main
character.
____________
A necessary element in fiction, as in life, is conflict. Conflict
creates tension, raises challenges, and adds suspense to a story. In
short stories, the focus will usually be on a single type of conflict. In
longer works, we'll usually find a mixture of conflicts.
In your work, you should build a series of conflicts that become an
obstacle for the character. The chain of catastrophes might be told as
a grim history, or could even be shared as a humorous tale.
Think of a series of failures that lead to a train derailment or
hazardous waste spill, a progression of miscommunications that lead to
fistfight or warfare, or the calamity of a badly planned wedding or
funeral. How does the character react to these events? Does the
character feel anger or self-pity? Does the character persevere or change
direction?
____________
When critiquing, look at what forces are at play, and how the events
unfold. Does the character react in a credible - and interesting - way? If
anything stretches credibility, say so. On the other hand, also point out
the things that work well.
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Gayle Surrette.
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