Individual Writing Exercises
The following exercises can be used to practice significant detail, rhythm, and use of action verbs along with a variety of other writing techniques.
Significant Detail - the surest way to hold the attention of the reader is by being specific, definite and concrete. Reporting details that matter.
Rhythm - The flow of prose and how it effects meaning.
Action Verbs - An active voice will paint a more vivid story than a passive voice. Although there are times when a passive voice is necessary, an active voice should be present for the majority of your story because it makes the story more exciting, and enables the reader to dive right in rather than simply dipping their toes.
Individual Writing Exercises
1. Story Trigger. One way to test your skill in the use of concrete, significant detail is to create a reality that is convincing-- and yet literally impossible. the begin, draft a story in which a single impossible event happens in the everyday world. (For example, the moon writes secrets in the stars, a dog does accounting, or everything is on fire yet never burns.) First, focus on using detail to create the reality of both the normal world and the impossible event--the more believable the reality is, the more seamlessly readers will accept the magic.
2. Write a scene where your character is deprived of one of their five senses. Then, set the character in a situation where missing that particular sense would have an especially significant impact. the situation might put them at an advantage or disadvantage, but in any case, they will have to compensate, wringing every bit of useful information they can out of their other senses. Make the situation dramatic. This will test your ability to actively use telling detail with the senses.
Significant Detail - the surest way to hold the attention of the reader is by being specific, definite and concrete. Reporting details that matter.
Rhythm - The flow of prose and how it effects meaning.
Action Verbs - An active voice will paint a more vivid story than a passive voice. Although there are times when a passive voice is necessary, an active voice should be present for the majority of your story because it makes the story more exciting, and enables the reader to dive right in rather than simply dipping their toes.
Individual Writing Exercises
1. Story Trigger. One way to test your skill in the use of concrete, significant detail is to create a reality that is convincing-- and yet literally impossible. the begin, draft a story in which a single impossible event happens in the everyday world. (For example, the moon writes secrets in the stars, a dog does accounting, or everything is on fire yet never burns.) First, focus on using detail to create the reality of both the normal world and the impossible event--the more believable the reality is, the more seamlessly readers will accept the magic.
2. Write a scene where your character is deprived of one of their five senses. Then, set the character in a situation where missing that particular sense would have an especially significant impact. the situation might put them at an advantage or disadvantage, but in any case, they will have to compensate, wringing every bit of useful information they can out of their other senses. Make the situation dramatic. This will test your ability to actively use telling detail with the senses.
