This Week's Practice Exercise

Wake Up

Prepared by: Charles Hightower
Posted on: September 21, 2008
Reposted on: May 16, 2010
Reposted on: May 22, 2011
Reposted on: June 17, 2012

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Exercise: In 400 words or less, your character awakes in an unexpected location and you must show how the character reacts.

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Your character comes to consciousness and is surprised by the surroundings. Show your readers what the character experiences, how he/she behaves.

The tale should begin the moment the character wakes up.  Remember, this is not to be a story about a dream, but about a real event in your character's life.

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Exercise: In 400 words or less, your character awakes in an unexpected location and you must show how the character reacts.

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In your critiques, note how well the writer has constructed the setting and shown us authentic characters acting in believable ways. What do we learn of the characters from their reactions? Would you like to read more of the story? And, as usual, pay attention to all the technical concerns that go into good writing.


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 Writing Workshop.