My fellow writers:
I hope this day finds you well, safe and warm. Weather like what we’ve all experienced lately –that flings us back and forth between spring-like sunshine and winter’s harsh blast — is enough to make any one feel like they aren’t sure what to expect next.
Honestly, we shouldn’t.
But, it’s a great mood to write into the conflict of your story — because isn’t it the uneasiness with decision that many of our protagonists find themselves in between the pages of the stories we write? Has your protagonist been playing it safe? Or are they taking risks that let your story weave into uncertainty and likely more exciting reading?
Today’s prompt is to take a character and make them make those choices that are the riskiest. It doesn’t mean that they won’t break their neck when they fall — but what happens when they are recouperating in the hospital? Or end up with a new job because they lost their former job during their sick leave? The alley at night probably isn’t the best choice to walk, but your heroine swore she heard an animal in distress, plus it saves walking past her old boyfriend’s house. Push the envelope. Play safe with your driving in the snow — but not on the pages of your story. Think of the riskiest thing you would NEVER do and make your character do it. Write until your own heartbeat is palpitating. Got 1,500 words and you found ‘The End?’ Then consider sending it out. Upcoming contest/submission deadlines include:
Feb 28 – Gulf Coast Contest: http://bit.ly/ez6WR5
Feb. 28 – Ledge Fiction Awards: http://bit.ly/gEpjOy
Apr. 15 – Bellingham Review: (I’d like to see many of you try for this one) http://bit.ly/gyqwEN
There are a ton more…and I’ll try to get you some more later on this evening. But for now I’m plotting my escape from the city by the sound and heading back to my beloved valley.
But, first, your moment of Writing Zen:
“Every great and original writer, in proportion as he is great and original, must himself create the taste by which he is to be relished.” ~ William Wordsworth
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What did you Write today?
~Casz
Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites
“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron