Prepared by: Rhéal Nadeau
Posted on: March 24, 2002
Reposted on: May 1, 2005
This exercise is part of our "Remembering"
series. The basic concept
of
these exercises is that our own memories form our most authentic source
of
material. We do learn from research, of course, and from reading the
words
of others - but how can we truly express fear, for example, if we don't
remember being afraid ourselves? Too often, we see writers trying to
report emotions second-hand, not trusting their own experiences and
their
imagination to extrapolate from them, with the result that their
writing
feels, well, second-hand rather than fresh.
These exercises, therefore, ask us to
remember a moment when we felt
a
particular emotion, or experienced a particular sensation. We must then
describe that moment honestly, without trying to "improve" it or
embellish
it. The key is being honest to the moment, to how we truly felt. At the
same time, of course, we need to express that as clearly, as vividly as
we
can - we need to try to truly share that moment with others. So all the
usual writing techniques apply: involving the senses, using strong
words,
avoiding generalities and clichés.
One of the key emotions in life - and thus
in writing - is
anticipation. Life - and writing - is a matter of wanting or needing
something, then of trying to get it. Usually, this means waiting - a
wish
or goal granted instantly would not seem as valuable, or important, as
one
that was deferred.
In addition, anticipation is a
double-edged emotion. We may
anticipate
(hope for) something favourable, of course, but also anticipate (fear)
something unfavourable. Anticipation can apply to the child eagerly
awaiting Christmas, and opening presents, or the child sitting in the
principal's office, fearing punishment for a misdeed. And both times of
anticipation may turn out unexpectedly: the first child may not get the
desired present, the second may not be punished at all, or receive a
lighter punishment than feared. (And the difference between what we, or
our characters, expect, and what occurs, is part of what makes things
interesting!)
So here's the exercise: in 300 to 400
words, describe a time (a
moment, or
months or even years) when you anticipated something, favourable or
not. Take the time to remember how you felt, how you reacted. Were you
nervous, excited, joyful, stressed? How did those emotions manifest
themselves, physically and in your actions? What did you do, or not do,
that was different than usual?
Optionally, you can show how things turned
out - but don't let the
outcome
distract you (and your readers) from the prior anticipation. Don't rush
through to the conclusion, take the time to share the anticipation that
preceded it fully. Remember Hitchcock's comment about an exploding bomb
creating a shock, but an unexploded bomb is what creates suspense, and
thus
ongoing interest...
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Gayle Surrette.