Writers in Isolation

This is an exercise that may be enjoyable if you are unable to go out or travel as you wish. However, when you have written it, you will be asked to edit it so that it might appeal to someone else. Stage 1.  Think of a place where you have been happy (or imagine a place where you might be happy). Now start responding to the following questions as if you were in that place and the only human there: What does the air feel like? What is beneath your feet? What do your hands, arms, neck and face feel? If you open your mouth and close it again, will there be a different taste on your tongue? What scents and smells reach you? Do they bring back particular thoughts and memories? What can you hear? Are the sounds loud or soft? Are they near or far away? You may be the only human in this place but are there any animals or insects? Write down three things you can see - one may be big but the others should be small things or little details. Stage 2.  You now have a strong se...

This writing exercise is about imagining the development of a relationship between two characters. One of the characters will be similar to you in ways that you choose. Stage 1. Think of (or invent) someone you met once or twice years ago. This should be someone you liked and who might have become a friend had you known one another. Start writing down what you can remember (or invent) about that person. Think about how they moved and the sort of things they said. What was their approach to life?  Now imagine that person is writing a postcard to you after a gap of many years. What is the picture on the postcard? What does the person write? If you can, see if you can show something of their character in the way they write. Stage 2. Imagine a character with many of your own characteristics but three significant differences. Write down what those differences are. Write down three aspects of your character that are important and one that you want to exaggerate. Name the new chara...