Saturday, September 8, 2012

Go To The Mirror

 

For this weekend's challenge, we'd like you to read the 33 words below and then add 33 of your own words to move the story along.  Have a great weekend and good luck!
 
The last strains of sunlight lingered in the corners, grasping every available point of refraction.  She slid her fingertips along the glass wondering if this was all there ever was. Or could be.

Her fingertips met the edge of the mirror, sinking into the reflection.  She stared, light dawning with the demise of sunlight.  Smiling, Brianna reached out and began to pull Could Be into existence.



This reminded me of an exercise that I used to do with my students when I taught English.  It was way back, before the time of the Dinosaurs, when kids used notebook paper and pens to write instead of iPads.  I would have the entire class get out a piece of paper, and they were to make up a story in their heads and start writing.  After two minutes, they were to hand their story off to the person behind them.  Once they got the new page with the new story, they were to continue the new story.  Every two minutes, the papers changed hands, until the papers were all back where they belonged.  The kids had a blast reading the "new" stories, written by everyone, and they all learned that everyone can tell a story. Unfortunately, the state curriculum demands don't allow for such creative license, and I'm not a teacher anymore, but it was fun. 

13 comments:

  1. Ah, the fun of collaborative writing. I first experienced this in high school during my junior year English class. I then passed the fun on to my students when I was teaching as well. Love it! (P.S. I don't teach anymore either.) Here's my addition to the story:

    Images of holding hands and kissing someone she didn’t recognize raced through her mind. The sound of laughter echoed in her ears. These memories of a time yet to be stirred Brianna’s curiosity.

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  2. This is great in the way she takes control and makes the "could be" happen! Very nice take.

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    1. Thank you. I prefer characters who take charge.

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  3. This is really good! I like that you made it a mirror! :D

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  4. I so miss the creative and useful things kids used to have time for in English...as much as I hated speeches every year-such a vital tool to have, especially when so many kids rarely speak...out loud...with their actual voices!

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    1. I know. I hate how the quest for test scores stifles creativity in kids!

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  5. I love that she's taking control here. "Pulling COULD BE" to her is awesome!

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  6. The exercise of turning abstract emotions or ideas into characters, like, "couldbe". is brilliant.

    This is excellent craft.

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  7. I like the positive vibe of making 'could be' happen.

    That exercise you described doing with your students sounds like it would've been fun!

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  8. This is so creative :D I love the optimism of the piece :D

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