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Exercise #749

Exercise #749: Craft
Posted  3/2/18

Today's exercise comes to us from Tyger.

She would like to do something with plotting. There’s a lot out there on the Web about plots but it all comes down to one thing: something must change.

A character wants something and we watch him try to get it. A character must do something she’s uncomfortable with and we watch her struggles. The reader’s perception changes as he discovers the villain of the story is actually a hero. Without change, there is no story.

With change, we as authors have a chance to bring our audience into the tale, reach their emotions, maybe even give them something to think about after the story is done.

So, for today’s exercise, give us a plot outline. You may choose to submit one of your own, or pick one of the scenarios below and plot the story for us. If you use your own, start with a one-line sentence that tells the gist of the story, similar to the ones below.

1. A little girl wants a kitten for her birthday.
2. A teenage boy must write a letter.
3. A newly married couple buy a couch.
4. An old man must leave the house he’s been in for forty years.

Critiquers, along with a technical critique, you might consider answering these questions:
     * Was this piece helpful to you as a writer? Why or why not?
     * Did the plot outline fit the one-line description? Why or why not?

Word limit: 1200
Please use the subject line
       SUB: Exercise #749/yourname

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