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IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: What's Driving? (Version 2)
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: Carter Jefferson
Posted on: September 16, 2007
Reposted, revised, on: May 10, 2009
Reposted on: April 3, 2011
_____________________
Exercise: In 400 words or less, write an opening scene in which
something happens, and then show us a character through that person's
thoughts, words, and deeds. Though you may use more than one character,
focus on one in particular to let us learn as much as possible about
that person as the story begins.
_____________________
Good characters are essential to a good story whether it is plot-driven
or character-driven. In both kinds of story something happens and
characters react. The reader comes to know the characters through what
they think, say, and do.
In a plot-driven story, action tends to predominate; it causes the
character to react. In a story about a hard-nosed detective who must
chase down criminals, the plot usually is complex, but well-drawn
characters greatly enhance such a tale.
On the other hand, in a character-driven story, there may be little
action, with the focus on the thoughts and reactions of the characters,
but things still happen, characters still react. For instance, we might
learn a lot about a quiet, reserved widow by her deep emotional
response to observing a butterfly alighting on a flower.
Choose one of the two styles, plot-driven or character-driven, and
write a scene that shows us what your character is like.
_____________________
Exercise: In 400 words or less, write an opening scene in which
something happens, and then show us a character through that person's
thoughts, words, and deeds. Though you may use more than one character,
focus on one in particular to let us learn as much as possible about
that person as the story begins.
_____________________
In your critiques, consider what you have learned about the character.
Are the character's traits things that people around him or her would
notice, or are they hidden from view? Do the character's thoughts and
actions match? Can we tell why the character reacts in a certain way to
an event?
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Greg Gunther.
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