Map Exercise

1: Take a blank sheet of unlined paper, and draw a map of a small town.

• Name the town
• Name at least five stores (possible places: ice cream store, a diner, a bar, a cupcake place),
• Name two churches one school
• Name one statue (in the middle of town)
• Name a body of water (creek or pond or lake)
• Name one fast food restaurant.

2: Write down the names of three or four characters.  

• What do they look like?
• Look for unusual details.  
• Stay away from the eyes and hair, unless there is an urgent need.  
• What do they do? Who are they to each other.  
• Where do they live--add their homes/apartments to your map.

3: Bring in a Conflict.  Something is wrong.  

• Start your story in the middle of the conflict.  Examples: a love triangle, a small town crime spree, or jealousy over bowling shoes.  It can be large or seemingly small, but you must have a conflict.

4: Open your story in one of the five stores on your map.

5: See what happens next, and write it down.