IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: Characterization
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: Florence Cardinal
Posted on: Sun, 11 Feb 2001
Reposted on: Sun, 8 Dec 2002
CHARACTERIZATION
A story is only as strong as your characters. In fact, some writers
start
with nothing but a character, and build the plot around him or her.
For this assignment, in 250 words or less, describe one of your male
characters so we can see him. We don't want things like: He had red
hair or
he was a tall man. Make us see "red" and "tall."
Use whatever you need. Description, satire, exaggeration. Dialogue's
fine,
too. Think of "show, don't tell."
When you've finished the male character, try the same exercise using
a woman
character.
Florence Cardinal's wrap-up
Posted on: December 17, 2002
I've just read through all the subs for this exercise again. What an
amazing
mixture of characters I met. Most of you did fulfill the requirements
of the
exercise. I did note one or two who did some telling rather than
showing.
But all it takes is practice, which is what this list is all about.
I'm sure
we'll be doing this exercise again.
Thanks to all who sent in submissions and all the critiques given.
Florence
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Gayle Surrette.
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