Falklore: Progress

There has been an abundance of information and advice from authors from this end for those who are interested in writing either novels or short stories. Many of the articles have described what potential authors can do to improve their writing and thus, their chances of publishing. There’s a lot of work involved, a lot of sources from which to garner what is necessary to succeed. One of the sources suggested is to get involved with a writers club, a club with which assigns homework that is presented at its meetings. The finished products are interesting, helpful, and a lot of fun during discussions of the works.

Following are some of the assignments used to progress writers. Choose a number of them and complete the assignments, each between 500 and 750 words–no more. Then try to do an objective critique of your own work. That is difficult, so to get a better objective discussion about your work, do what has been suggested by several WritersNewsWeekly contributor, join a club. Here are some potential subjects:

1. Objective description of a place in which something has or is about to happen.
2. An experience of déjà vu or a prior life.
3. Analyze the opening two pages of a novel.
4. Write a scene where a couple meets for the first time since their divorce.
5. Write about a very old house that you’ve seen or visited.
6. Have a character explain why he/she stole an object.
7. Write about one of your most embarrassing experiences.
8. Write what you think made Scrooge so mean.
9. Write about your favorite author and why.
10. Create the following characters: a rich snob whose closest friend is a homeless person; a wealthy prostitute who doesn’t like sex; an old West sheriff who is a serious academic.
11. A Christmas story without mentioning Santa Claus.

Now, go over your work with a fine tooth comb, covering points that have been pointed out in Writers News Weekly. Undoubtedly, it will be a very difficult chore to analyze your work objectively, but try it anyhow. Finally, realize how advantageous it would be to have other writers critique your work and offer their comments to you during a writers club meeting.

If you would like some feedback on your work, e-mail a completed assignment to james@jamesfalk.net.

Questions/Comments? Contact Jim at james@jamesfalk.net, or visit www.jamesfalk.net.

James Falk, as a teen-ager, used to dream of being a big-time racketeer. Fortunately, his dream didn't come true. A 10th grade dropout, he finished highschool after four years in the Marines and went on to earn a B.A. in Journalism and an M.A. in Communications.