Writers in Isolation

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...

This exercise is one that children might enjoy as well as adults. You could make pictures instead of writing or produce a short graphic novel. This would also work as a story for children, a story for adults or a poem. See how it works for you and adapt the exercise if you like. Stage 1. Choose (or imagine) an animal or bird or fish or insect. Find out as much about it as you can. This might involve observation if the animal is your pet, searching the internet for information or imagining where and how the animal lives. Stage 2. Now you know about your animal, answer these questions about one individual animal: What does your animal want? (You can use your imagination) Where would your animal most like to be? What does your animal think and feel about the world around it? What does your animal think and feel about human beings? Stage 3. Now imagine your animal is on a street or path. Imagine its journey to find what it wants and the place where it wants to be. What obstacl...