Elements of the Writing Craft. Part One: Storytelling, Lesson Twenty-five: Personal Experience.

Ref: Pages 31 and 32 of the text by Robert Olmstead.

  1. List five examples like the lesson. Use the following frame.
    “( )” describes the ( ) of ( ) the way that “( )” describes ( ). To say “( )“ in describing ( ) is about like saying that “( )” describes ( ).
    Saying annoyed describes her state of mind is about like saying that a hole in the ground describes a volcano.
    Saying graceful describes her movements is about like saying unsteady describes a newborn fawn.
    Saying protective describes her behavior toward her children is about like saying enthusiastic describes a hungry bear.
    Saying lonely describes her mood is about like saying vast describes the ocean.
    Saying volatile describes her mood is about like saying sudden describes a lightning bolt.
  2. List five examples of casual phrases like: but what the hell, let’s try.
    What’s could go wrong? Let’s give it a shot.
    Sounds reasonable. Let’s give it a rip.
    Let’s go ahead and see what happens.
    I’m not sure about this, but here goes nothing.
    Hold my beer, watch this!
  3. List five examples of narrative beginning like It begins subtly enough.
    It begins with a flicker
    It begins slow and steady.
    It begins with a spark.
    It starts off like an echo, a repeating call
    It crashes in like a wave.
  4. Combine elements of the above three lists to create a new paragraph.

Saying volatile describes her mood is about like saying sudden describes a lighting bolt. What could go wrong? Let’s give it a shot. It begins with a flicker, a faraway look in her eyes. Sharp become her words, piercing becomes her gaze. Where once was evidence of fun and laughter became clutter and noise. Kindness became scrutiny, and it would strike from out of the blue.

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