Writing Exercise 10: Transformation

There are lots of stories in which one thing changes into something or someone else. This writing exercise is a way to have a go at writing a transformation scene.

 Stage 1.
Think of a character - someone who lives only in your imagination. Think of that character only as they are seen by the people they encounter in a public role. You might choose a teacher, a politician, a sports person, a scientist, a performer — it doesn’t matter and they don’t have to be famous.
Now imagine that character is being interviewed for the kind of magazine that publishes only complimentary articles about people.
Write one or two introductory paragraphs and snippets from the interview.

 Stage 2.
Now imagine that character alone, after giving the interview.
What does your character think about their public self? What doubts and uncertainties does your character conceal? Write them down.

 Stage 3.
What does your character want? This might be well known or secret - or a combination of both. Write a paragraph or two about what your character wants, from your character’s point of view.

 Stage 4.
Look back over all the things you now know about your character. If they were to transform into someone or something else, who or what might it be? It could be a different sort of person, an animal or an object.
When you have decided, write an account of their slow transformation. Which part of their body changed first? What happens next? How does the character respond, physically and emotionally. Do they try to say anything during the process?

 Stage 5.
Write a brief description of the newly transformed person, animal or object.
See if you have material here for a poem or short story.

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