Warm Up Writing

Two characters are reuniting for the first time in ten years.

Write 10 lines of dialogue (5 per character).

Today’s Game Plan

Learning Goals

• I can identify the aspects and characteristics of exemplary short story writing.

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Agenda

• Daily writing prompt
• Assign short story
• Create rubric as class.

Plot Notes- Best Advice

• Your plot will fall into place one day at a time as you listen to your characters…
• All you can give us what life is about from your point of view...there are no plans.
• Characters should not serve as pawns for some plot you dreamt up
• Give him a cigar...but if you are faking it, it will show.
• You may not be able to see the problem…
• Plot grows out of character
• Character had something in mind that was more meaningful…
• Writer is creating a dream...must be vivid and continuous

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Plot Notes- Best Advice

• Drama is a way of holding the reader’s attention
• Build up to pay off
• The formula is ABDCE - i (Action, background, development, climax, ending)
• You begin with an action that is compelling to draw us in.
• Find someone who can bring detachment…
• Process of the discovering the story will take place in bits and starts
• Find out what each character cares about most in the world and you will find out what’s at stake
• Aim but not too hard and when you finally see the climax before you, you can race towards it.
• Drama must move forward and upward...there must be movement