Read the chapter on "Character" (p. 44-53) in Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. (click for PDF) After you have reading the selection, respond to the questions below. NOTE: Each should be at least a half page (so as to meet the full-page-or-more requirement for a journal entry) ONE - Many elements of character and character development involve asking questions. What are some of the most important/revealing questions you discovered as you read? Why do you believe these will be helpful as you develop your own characters? TWO - Lamott references a number of quotations throughout the chapter. Which quotation resonated most with you as a writer? That is, which quote did you find most thought-provoking in regards to your own writing? Be sure to explain why and what effect you think it will have as you begin creating characters of your own. |
The topic of today's journal is your choice!
Need a little inspiration? Pick an item from the J. Peterman Company website (either one you're using for the supplement project or a different item altogether) and use that as a jumping off point for a short scene or character sketch. Use the following as a starting point for today’s journal *Don’t forget to keep doing your weekend journals!
Create a situation in which a character is faced with an unavoidable fate. Use the image below as your inspiration and write a short scene detailing how he deals with this “coming storm.”
Choose one of the following "story starters” for today’s journal entry: Once, while sitting on the curb... (OR) Once, when I was barefoot... Today's journal is your choice. If you need a little inspiration to get the creative juices flowing, look at the image below and/or consider the following “story sparkers": “I got the best email today!" A journalist writing an article about death row falls in love with one of the inmates. A fallen hero meets a legendary storyteller These ideas are entirely optional. Let loose! Be creative!
Don’t forget your journals for Saturday and Sunday! (your choice as well) Write a short scene that ends with one of the following lines. *Be sure to write which line you selected at the top of your journal so I will know which to look for.* LINE 1: LINE 2: LINE 3: LINE 4 |
Creative Writing Journal PromptsSpring 2015 REMEMBER:You are to journal every day, including weekends. These journals will ALWAYS be free writes (your choice of topic!) and are not listed separately on this blog.
All journals must be in a college-ruled composition notebook and should be AT LEAST one full page in length. (see handout)
Click here to get some inspiration for a weekend choice journalArchives |