Character Development: Writing Exercise

Create a list of people and then add an adjective.  You might have woman, man, child and then adding the adjective have: sleazy man, woeful child, lunatic woman.  Try on professions for size: timid garbage man, boastful weight lifter, etc.  Once you have a list (keep it for future reference) pick two characters and decide what one wants from the other. 

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Workshop Saturday, June 14th

Location: Empire Coffee Shop, Orange Street
Time: 9:30-11:30A.M.
Date: Saturday, June 14th, 2008
RSVP: kathie dot blog at gmail dot com or 530-521-4264 by Thursday, June 12th, 2008
Guests: Open to anyone in the Chico/Paradise/Oroville/Hamilton City/Orland area (or those who can make it to our meeting place!)
Facebook: We’re on Facebook!

New Format!

9:30 - 10:00 AM
Share and Discuss Assigned Writing Exercise: (Either email a copy to everyone, be prepared to read outloud or bring enough copies for everyone.  Contact Kathie for further information and instructions.)

“Create a narrative voice that is distinctly different from your own by changing a key element of the character. If you’re a woman, write in a man’s voice. If you’re under thirty, create the voice of a character over sixty. Make a change in appearance or education or background.”

10:00 - 10:30 AM Craft Chat: Voice

Each writer has a distinct personality. Hemingway, for example, would never write like Mark Twain. How does a writer develop her/his voice? What is the difference between voice and style? A writer must master narrative voice. How is it done, and what exactly is it? A story’s voice is created by some fundamental tools a writer must have in their “writer’s toolbox.” We will discuss these and look at how this all works.

10:30 - 11:30 AM Manuscript Critique: Piece by Kathie Leung [download copy here].  Critique will be lead by N. D. Austin whom will use the following Critique Worksheet (please use this sheet to help guide the critique):

Author Name / Title of Piece
Concept (Scope/Originality)
Plot (Conflict/Crisis/Resolution)
Characterization (Action/Appearance/Thought)
Dialog (Tension/Rhythm/Diction)
Setting (Time and Place/Concrete Detail)
Tone (Language/Style)
Additional Comments

 

 

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Reminder: Manuscripts Due Tomorrow

Just a quick reminder that manuscripts are due tomorrow, Saturday, May 10th for the workshop Saturday, May 17th.

For more information, click on the title link or read the entry below.

Critique Workshop

Critique Group Sat. May 17th

Chico Writer’s Group Critique Workshop

Location: Empire Coffee Shop, Orange Street
Time: 9:30-11:30A.M.
Date: Saturday, May 17th, 2008
RSVP: kathie dot blog at gmail dot com or 530-521-4264 by Monday, May 12th, 2008
Guests: Open to anyone in the Chico/Paradise/Oroville/Hamilton City/Orland area (or those who can make it to our meeting place!)
Facebook: We’re on Facebook!

Manuscripts are due on or before midnight, Saturday, May 10th. Email your manuscript, 20 pages or less with title, your name, and preferably with page numbers in one of the following formats (.rtf, .txt, .doc, .pdf) to kathie dot blog at gmail dot com. If there is anything specific you wish to have reviewed, please include that with your email.

New Rule: We’re finding we have to tighten our deadlines out of fairness to all participants. If your piece is not in by the group established deadline, it may not be critiqued in depth during our next meeting. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us or simply click on the “comment” link and leave your question here.

Please take time to read the information provided on this site regarding critiquing, editing and proofing. While we are fairly casual, having a good understanding of these areas will make the experience that much more enjoyable and rewarding.