Writing From Life

Artists draw live models and go outside to paint landscapes even if they are going to become abstract artists. Writers need to write from life no matter what kind of writing they hope to do. This is a life-writing exercise. Here's what you do.

Take a notebook and pen and go to a place where you will see people you don't know. Spent at least 15 minute, more if you like, writing about the people you see, describing them as well as you can in the time they are visible. Go home and think a bit about the people you've written about, maybe make more notes about them.

Write a short story about two of the people you described. The story will start this way: they are sitting side by side on a long plane ride. One says to the other, "May I tell you. What is the story or secret? How does the other react? Or what if the second person says, "No,"? Don't quit writing if s/he does, tell us what goes through both people's minds. Does the first tell the story anyway? Does the second get curious and ask to hear? Make our story at least two double spaced pages, longer if you want.

You will have a month to do this. You should do the watching part as soon as you can so you have some time to think about the people and your story.

Have no at least a 45-- Be a person who doesn't ever flake. This is international because it will be a simple envelope to mail.