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IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: Danger
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/).
Prepared by: Alice Folkart
Posted on: Sun, April 13, 2014
Posted on: Sun, April 17, 2016
Posted on: Sun, February 25, 2018
Revised and Posted on: Sun, April 25, 2021
Posted on: Sun, April 23, 2023
____________
In 400 words or less, give us a character that must do something physically
dangerous, and show us how the character feels about this challenge. What
is likely to happen if he succeeds or if he fails? Your piece does not have
to be a ‘story.’ You could just give us a view of a character acting under
pressure or in fear.
____________
Your character faces a challenge. Does he have to sneak behind enemy lines
to rescue someone? Does she have to inch along a mountain ledge to get away
from pursuers? Has someone dared your character to infiltrate a terrorist
cell knowing that discovery would mean death? Or you might write about kids
on a playground daring each other to do – what – break into the school at
night, steal something, cross the river on spring ice floes, put a cow on
the schoolhouse roof? The setting can be now, or in the past or future.
What dangers did our ancestors face? What dangers might man face in the
future?
Consider whether your character welcomes or fears this challenge and
whether or not he or she is confident or feels unequal to what needs to be
done.
Given the current penchant for action movies and violence-as-entertainment,
you might want to fill your story with action. Your choice. But this
exercise can be an opportunity to work on your action skills.
____________
In your critique, determine your response to the scene. Were you caught up
in the action? Did it make you hold your breath? Did the writer employ
sensory and/or physical elements that drew you into the moment? Would you
read on? If not, why?
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Gayle Surrette.
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