Ref: Pages 27 and 28 of the text by Robert Olmstead
- Make a list of phrases particular to a character expressing his or her own interior.
I was experiencing…
I fully intended…
I was aware…
I knew…
I felt as if…
It occurred to me…
I knew deep down…
I got the idea that…
I was preparing to…
I came to know…
2. Create a sentence in which you move from the action of the story to the interior thoughts of a character.
Up the hill back toward the cottage, we walked in silence. I was dripping wet. I knew mother would be furious.
- Create a small movement where one of your characters explains themselves.
I fully intended to explain what happened. I knew she would blame Eoghan and I wasn’t going to let that happen this time. I knew what she would do and I wouldn’t look away, not this time.
When we crested the hill she saw my new dress rumpled and soaked and tinged green from lake water. I moved to stand between them but her fury was already up and I followed her silent direction as she scowled at us and jabbed her finger toward the back porch.
Up the hill, back toward the cottage, we walked in silence. I was dripping wet, and I knew mother would be furious. I fully intended to explain what happened, but regardless, I knew she would blame Eoghan. I wasn’t going to let it happen this time. When we crested the hill, she was waiting. I was aware of how I must have looked and how she would react when she saw my new dress rumpled and soaked and tinged with green lake water. I moved to stand between them and pushed my matted hair from my eyes. But her fury was already up, and I cowered at her silent direction as she scowled and jabbed her finger toward the back porch.