Ten writers for children. All with something to say.

4/4/11

Two lines of dialogue, one gesture, and one item of clothing exercise

For this round of blogs, we are doing an exercise that is designed to focus on the importance of details and dialogue to a story. It's a fun exercise that I use with my writing students to quiet their inner censors (as there is no expected outcome), and to help them remember the importance of bringing the reader in to the story through dialogue. Here are the "rules" - using at least two lines of dialogue, one gesture, and one item of clothing, write a paragraph or two with Sam and Eddie as the main characters. And here is the result from my almost following those rules: "I'm outta here," said Sam, pulling her jacket on over her heavy sweatshirt. Eddie followed her out into the snow. "Where are you going Sam?" "Anywhere that mom isnt'! Get back inside, Eddie. You're shivering." "Not until I know you're okay." Sam hugged her baby brother and pushed him toward the door. "You be good, Eddie. Promise?" "Promise," he said. Sam reached into her pocket for the car keys and felt Eddie's lucky rabbit's foot still warm from the heat of his hand.

4 comments:

Christy said...

Diane, this is so tender! I love the tension you've set up--the teenage daughter asserting her independence juxtiposed with the mutual nurturing instincts of both siblings. The warm rabbit's foot is a poignant ending.

Diane Adams said...

Thank you. That was really fun to write, as I knew I didn't have to take it any further!!

Edie Hemingway said...

I can see this will be a good exercise for triggering new ideas!

David LaRochelle said...

You are right about the tiny details making a big difference. When she felt the car keys, I suddenly realized that Sam was a teenager. And the warm rabbit's foot speaks volumes about the relationship between these two siblings.