This Week's Practice Exercise~

Don't speak to me that way!

Prepared by: Ruth Douillette
Reposted, revised, on: Sunday, 13 April 2008

Exercise: Read the dialogue below and see what images you get of the people in the car. Choose one dialogue passage and write a scene that lets us "see" the people in the car and their relationship. Show us what they are like, using the dialogue as a springboard. You may choose instead to write your own response to the woman's command and use that for this exercise. Keep subs at 400 words or less.
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Dialogue choices:

1- "Take the next exit. I need to go to the washroom," she said.
"Aw, come on, you gonna make me late for the game and the coach will bench me."

2- "Take the next exit. I need to go to the washroom," she said.
"Sure, but you know we're already late for the meeting."

3- "Take the next exit. I need to go to the washroom," she said.
"Sure thing, sweetheart, but you're leaving your cell phone and your credit cards in the car."

The response to the woman's request reveals something about the person who replies. It hints at the gender, age, relationship and profession of the responder. In addition, how the woman reacts to the response will reveal a lot about her. Use the inferences you draw from the dialogue and write a scene that lets readers see these people, and understand them, as you do.

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Exercise: Read the dialogue below and see what images you get of the people in the car. Choose one dialogue passage and write a scene that lets us "see" the people in the car and their relationship. Show us what they are like, using the dialogue as a springboard. You may choose instead to write your own response to the woman's command and use that for this exercise. Keep subs at 400 words or less.

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Critique by commenting on how well you "see" the people having the conversation. Are they compatible, or in conflict? What have you learned about each?

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.