We're doing a writer's exercise.
Man, I love these things. Some folks call 'em story starters. Whatever name you choose, it's just plain fun and a great exercise to let your imagination and writing skills wander at will. If you're unfamiliar with this technique, let me 'splain:
I give you a story opening.
You read it and add a few paragraphs to it, going in any "PG" direction you choose.
I then (as time allows) critique it and embarrass you in a public forum.
See???? I told you it would be fun! As long as you're pre-medicated, that is!
Why would I do this? you ask.
1. You want to improve your writing.
2. You've been dying to see if I really do butcher other people's work for the sheer pleasure of it. The answer is: YES. But jump in anyway because I'm nicer to folks I don't know, trying to give them a sense of false security. Then when the other shoe drops, they wring their hands and say, "But she's really nice inside!"
3. Mary Connealy called you and said to come here today so I don't look like a low-life know-nothing if no one shows up. And she paid you because that's what good friends do.
4. You've been lurking for months and you realize we don't bite, we actually have a clue, and we're free. Seriously, I'm totally all over anything that's got a 20% off sticker. FREE???? Yi yi yi.....I'm on that page times 10.
Some of you have already visited the story starter page at RUTHY'S PLACE. If you have, you can either e-mail me with your additions at ruthy (at) ruthloganherne (dot) com, or post them in a comment!
If you haven't, I'm posting it below so you can copy and paste from here, drop it into a "Word" file, and add on...
I love brainstorming. Not everyone does, but I do. I love throwing out creative ideas. It's literally binge feeding for writers, casting ideas upon the waters.
It's amazing what grains of future story genius are spawned at sessions like this!
So here are your opening paragraphs:
Her feet refused to move. The old mansion gazed back at her, challenging her to step forward.
She couldn't. Maybe wouldn't. In any case, she'd been wrong to come here, wrong to think anything had changed, wrong to imagine anything but heartache behind those doors. She turned, willing her feet to obey, but the sound of a door latch paused her.
The house was empty. Wasn't it? Unless the letter writer had been mistaken, unless...
She turned back, not wanting to see, but needing to know. And the moment she did, she recognized her undoing.
She couldn't. Maybe wouldn't. In any case, she'd been wrong to come here, wrong to think anything had changed, wrong to imagine anything but heartache behind those doors. She turned, willing her feet to obey, but the sound of a door latch paused her.
The house was empty. Wasn't it? Unless the letter writer had been mistaken, unless...
She turned back, not wanting to see, but needing to know. And the moment she did, she recognized her undoing.
Now it's your turn! Add a couple of paragraphs and let's play! I'll try to opine on as many as possible (yes, it is all right to run, hide, duck your head or otherwise beg mercy and avoid your computer for the rest of the day...Pseudonyms are encouraged because NOTHING EVER REALLY DISAPPEARS FROM THE WORLD WIDE WEB!!!) and the reason for that disclaimer is because I opine way too much. It's a sickness, really. Someone should start a foundation to help me. With money, of course. And a lifetime supply of Ghirardelli chocolate.
Hey, coffee's on, there's a mountain of summertime chill food hangin' out inside. Come in, sit down, and set a spell.
And be afraid.... Be very afraid.... ;)
