Rainy Day
Welcome back. Nice to see you. Did your writing muscles ache a bit after the last workout? Do you have somewhere to keep your field notes? Time to get stuck in. Enjoy the session.
Field Notes:
Today we are going to have fun in the wet — something I always enjoy. Experience it if possible. If not, watch the gutters after some rain and add the rest.
In this scene, a grandparent, with a grandchild, is floating leaves and sticks in rainwater running down the gutter after a rainfall. Both fun and a nostalgic presence can be felt in the scene.
WARM UP
5 minutes
As you prepare, remember you are not recording an isolated event, but a scene from a story.
The pair are the glue for your scene and all its parts. Your piece must be focussed on them, the thrill of the moment, the joy of each other's company and their interaction with the immediate surroundings. This is a happy scene that has a glimpse of sad reminiscence.
How will you plant clues to leave your reader with something to wonder about?
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to create this scene, pull your reader into it and leave them wanting to figure out what may happen after they leave this scene. They must feel some attachment to the players.
WRITING
20 minutes
Write for 20 minutes and stop. Aim for 200-250 words.
It does not matter if you don't get it all down. Whatever you planned in your Field Notes during the warm up, let it come out onto the page. Try not to be slowed by worrying too much about presentation.
COOL DOWN
5 minutes
Time to sit back and enjoy a read through your brilliant words.
Were the grandparent, grandchild and rainwater in the gutter absolutely central to the interpretation of the scene?
Was our mind triggered to discover that sadness?
How do you think your readers will react to that small element of sadness in your few paragraphs here?
What was it about the words that would draw them in?
Write down what you want your reader to feel at the end of this passage.
Did you work up a sweat? Did the words tumble freely? Could this be part of a blockbuster novel?
Let the exercises do their work. Get into them and reap the benefits.
As always, feel free to share your feedback, share your work if you want to. Both are welcome.
We wish you all the success with your current project.
See you soon.
Damon
