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IWW Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: What's Driving?

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.internetwritingwor kshop.org/).

Prepared by: Carter Jefferson
Posted on: September 16, 2007
Reposted on: May 10, 2009
Reposted on: April 3, 2011
_____________________

Exercise: In 400 words or less, write an opening scene in which something happens,
and then you show us a character through that person's thoughts, words, and deeds.
Though you may use more than one character, focus on one in particular to let us
learn as much as possible about that person as the story begins. 
_____________________

Characters make a good story whether it is  plot-driven or character-driven. In both
kinds of story something happens and characters react. A reader gains insight into
characters through their words, thoughts, and deeds.

In a plot-driven story, action tends to predominate; it causes the character to react.
In a story about a hard-nosed detective who must chase down criminals, the plot
usually is complex, and the characters not particularly nuanced.

In a character-driven story, the plot action may be minimal, with the focus on
thoughts and reactions of the character. Characters respond in accord with their
own feelings. A quiet, reserved widow may react to a butterfly's alighting on a
flower, and we will learn more about her when that happens.

Choose one of the two styles, plot-driven or character-driven, and write a scene that
shows us what your character is like.
_____________________

Exercise: In 400 words or less, write an opening scene in which something happens,
and then you show us a character through that person's thoughts, words, and deeds.
Though you may use more than one character, focus on one in particular to let us
learn as much as possible about that person as the story begins. 
_____________________

In your critiques, consider how much you learned of the character, and note how
you learned that. As usual, critique the writing in general.