This Week's Practice Exercise

"Who are these people? Version 2"

Prepared by: Carter Jefferson
Posted on: 8/30/2009

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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's
"Summer Evening <http://tinyurl.com/7nsgr>" 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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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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When critiquing, tell the writer whether you'd want to
read more of the story. Is it clearly inspired by the
painting? Are the characters realistic? Is the scene
well set to develop the story? Did the writer succeed
in using the opposite POV? If she or he didn't do it
effectively, what went wrong? Give specific reasons,
if you can.

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 (http://www.internetwritingworkshop.org/).