This Week's Practice Exercise~

Who are these people?

Prepared by Carter Jefferson
Sunday, 17 August 2008

Picture from files of Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Exercise: In less than 400 words, write the opening to a story or novel based on the picture at the link below. If you're female, write from the man's POV; if you're male, the woman's.
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Writers find inspiration everywhere. For this exercise, find your inspiration in the painting you'll see when you click the link below. The picture dates from 1940, but you may set your story in any time or place you'd like.

But wait! There's more. Most writers tend naturally to create a protagonist of the same sex the writer is. There are exceptions, of course: men write romances with female protagonists, and women mysteries whose heroes are hard-boiled policemen. This week we're asking you to stretch your muscles: Write from the point of view of the opposite sex.

Here's the link: Edward Hopper,"Office at Night" Use the magnifier on the site for a full-screen picture. To return here, close the big picture, and then click on your "back" button.

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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.