I’ve been zonked with a nasty head/chest cold this week and am feeling a bit behind. But, since I feel behind most of the time, I’m not going to fret about that. I do wish I could breathe through my nose, though.
This week’s exercise was inspired by an interview with author Jack Remick. I believe it was the interview on the The Ashley Fontainne Show on Artist First Radio Network: https://www.artistfirst.com/ashleyfontainne.htm
(and even if it’s wasn’t, you should listen to the interview anyway, because Jack gives great interview)
The interviewer brought up the idea of working with the seven deadly sins, which are: wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. I’m sure each of us has experienced every one of these sins personally in some way, shape, or form. Perhaps we can relate to one of them more than the others. I’m not so much a wrathful person, but my pride has made me stubborn in the past, and hindered me from looking at something from someone else’s point of view. In the end, it was only a disservice to myself.
Which is how I want you to view these “sins” in terms of your characters. Which sin resembles the cause of each character’s misery? Is it envy that spikes her bitterness toward her sister? Is it pride that won’t allow him to forgive his best friend? Is it wrath that guards her heart?
If you’re not sure, try several of them on for size and see what fits. And try this out on multiple characters, not just your protagonist. Every character deserves a sin!
YOUR WORKOUT
1) Set your timer for 5-7 minutes.
Start at the top of the page with the following startline:
My character is stifled by the sin of . . .
Write, don’t stop, don’t edit, don’t cross out.
2) When the timer stops, Set your timer for 7-10 more minutes.
Start with the following line:
She/he must confront this sin when . . .
Write, don’t stop, don’t edit, don’t cross out.
3) NOW, set your timer for 10-15 more minutes.
WRITE THE SCENE in ACTION and DIALOGUE ONLY (to keep you moving forward – don’t get caught up in the minutia of description) in which this character is confronted with her sin.
Use the start line: In frustration, He/She picked up the . . .
Even though you are writing a scene, just WRITE, don’t stop, don’t edit, don’t cross out.
Read your exercises and your scene, make notes, highlight what makes sense.
And have a fabulous, healthy weekend.