This Week's Practice Exercise

Exercise: Demons Within

Prepared by: Loretta Russell and Ruth Douillette
Posted on: Sunday, December 30, 2007

Exercise: In 400 words or less show us a character who slides from
success or normality into self-destruction. The story can be fiction
or non-fiction.

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A prominent banker, a pillar of the community earning $500,000
a year, hanged himself after being accused of sexually assaulting a
16-year-old girl; there was DNA evidence.

With headlines like this appearing in new papers, there are,
unfortunately, many examples of people who appear to be successful,
but who, for reasons not always easily apparent, act in ways that
send them on a downward spiral. It happens to the "common man"
(or woman) as well as the "superstar."

Consider the influences that lead a person to self-destruct? Is it a
quest for power, a mental illness, a character flaw, or something
within society itself? Why does it happen to some, but not others?
Is such behavior an affliction primarily for the rich and famous, or is
it an equal opportunity problem?

Consider these questions as you develop a character on the path
to self-destruction.

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These exercises were written by IWW members and administrators to provide structured practice opportunities for its members. You are welcome to use them for practice as well. Please mention that you found them at the Internet Writers Workshop.