Writing Exercises on Yahoo Group!

To get our yahoo group hopping, we are going to have a writing exercise on a regular basis (or until I run out of prompts!!) Have you signed up for the MMW Yahoo Group yet? If not the link is at the top of this page. It's free and easy to join! Here's our first exercise. You will have to join to send your exercise and read everyone else's as well:


I got this one out of a textbook from last year's writing class. The book is called "Story Matters" by Denman & Shoup.
I picked this exercise because it lets you use a current character you are already writing about:

Using 3rd person, spend 10 minutes writing a dialogue in which a character in the story you are working on gets into an argument with someone, anyone. The argument should deal with something significant to the character. Be sure to locate the argument in time and space. Next, still in 3rd person, explain how your character feels about the argument. What does he think about what happened? Next, pull back. Tell readers something about the character that he cannot admit out loud or that he does not recognize about himself. Next, write about what your character's face looks like during the argument. Finally, get behind your character's eyes and describe what he sees during the argument. Now reread the draft of your story. Can you use any of what you wrote in it? Look for spots to refocus and move readers through your story differently.

Whew! That was alot to type out. Now if the unbolded parts seem too overwhelming for you, (like it does me) just go with the bolded part. Freewrite about a character in your WIP and their argument with someone. Only write for 10 or 15 mins at the most. Then send your exercise to the group. Let's be sure to give each other the feedback we crave and need. We aren't correcting grammar or any deep critiquing. Just what you did and didn't like about what was written.

Hope to see you all soon on MMW Yahoo Group! Can't wait to see what you write!