Write Like An Author - Kelly McKain
We asked the author Kelly McKain to set a writing exercise to help you to write more imaginatively.
Aim of exercise:
Get to know a character
What to do:
Find some shoes – you can borrow some, or go to a charity shop and have a look, or you may have a dressing up box to delve into.
Have a close look at the shoes. Touch them. Smell them (!). You probably don’t need to taste them (yuck!). Write down a few words that describe them.
Only take a few moments to do this, say, under a minute. You can time yourself if you like.
Then put the shoes on. Walk around in them. Imagine what kind of person would own them. Go back to your paper and write something about that person. What else might they be wearing? Where are they going in the shoes? What are they thinking about as they walk there? What do they have in their bag or pockets? Finally think of a name for this person.
Give yourself a big pat on the back (if you can reach!). You now have a character, and you’re on your way to having an exciting story too!
Good luck!
Tips:
Just write down any ideas that you think of. You can always cross them out later. If you get stuck, stand up and walk around in the shoes again!
Sending your exercise in:
Send us your best writing examples for this writing exercise to us. We will display the finest selection in our Budding Author’s Gallery. Remember to include your name, address and age. Check out our guidelines for more info on submitting.
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