An Example of Very Creative Writing

In answer to your question that will surely arise at the end of this tale, yes, this did come from an email; one of those chain-letter style emails.  However, it was beautifully done and a shining example of good creative writing.  See if you can write a short one like it and if it comes out well, send it along to your friends and see if it ever comes back - a true sign that the hungry masses enjoyed it!

A blonde decides to try horseback riding, even though she has had no lessons, nor prior experience. She mounts the horse unassisted, and the horse immediately springs into motion. It gallops along at a steady and rhythmic pace, but the blonde begins to slide from the saddle. In terror, she grabs for the horse's mane, but cannot seem to get a firm grip. She tries to throw her arms around the horse's neck, but she slides down the horse's side anyway.

The horse gallops along, seemingly impervious to its slipping rider. Finally, giving up her frail grip, the blonde attempts to leap away from the horse and throw herself to safety.

Unfortunately, her foot has become entangled in the stirrup. She is now at the mercy of the horse's pounding hooves, and her head strikes the ground over and over.

As her head is battered against the ground, she is mere moments away from unconsciousness when to her great fortune, Frank, the Wal-mart greeter sees her dilemma and unplugs the horse.

And you thought all they did was say Hello.

Describe This

Here are just a few pictures snagged from Flickr.com of living rooms.  You can check out more by going here.  Your assignment is to write a description of the room you pick.  Try to evoke some emotion as you describe it.  Remember to include two to three senses when you describe the room (touch, taste, scent, sight, sound). 

Physical Description of Setting Exercise

Try describing a room from three perspectives: through the door, looking in; from inside the room for the very first time, and then from the perspective of being an active participant in the room's use on a regular basis, maybe focusing on a couple particular elements within the room. 

Next, interject a character at the three different points. 

How does the room's view change the character?  The mood?  Does it affect the relationship between the character and the reader?  If so, in what way?

Exploring these aspects will help you, the writer, engage or disengage your reader as you so desire.  This is a useful tool to learn and master!

Good luck and, as always, write on!

Saturday's Craft Chat Blurb

" When we're telling a story, we need to tell our readers something about where it takes place. How do we bring the reader into the story's space? What kind of physical details are important? What's best left to the reader's imagination? "

For more information, check out the previous post announcing our upcoming meeting this Saturday, January 24, 2009.

Craft Chat and Critique Workshop

Agenda

1-2 p.m. Craft Chat and Writing Exercise
Topic: Physical Description - Setting

2-4 p.m. Critique Workshop
Members will critique manuscripts
which have already been distributed.

Note: If you have not previously attended
a Chico Writer's Group workshop, you are
welcome to attend the craft chat session.
Critique Workshops are for members only.

Date: Saturday, January 24th, 2009
Location: Butte County Library, Chico Branch
1108 Sherman Avenue, Chico, CA
Meeting room directly across from Circulation Desk

For further information, leave a comment
below with your current, functional email address.

Describing the Physical Setting

The topic of our upcoming craft chat (Saturday, January 24, 2009) is how to describe the physical setting in your novel.  Over the next two weeks, we'll attempt to post prompts and challenges along with some helpful tidbits about this topic here. 

One thing that seems to be overlooked when writing a scene is using several senses.  Draw your reader in by including at least three of the five senses: smell, touch, taste, sight, and sound.  Thinking about the five senses, how could you describe an artist's studio?  Try playing around with the five senses, using a different set of three each time.  How does it change the feel of the room? 

Character Study

Write a description for one of the "characters" shown below or go to Flickr's People Pool to find a character to write about.