The Seven Day Writing Challenge - Day 5

This seven-day writing challenge is designed to simply get you writing. There is no word limit on each exercise but you’ll probably aim to write 300 – 500 words for each. Make the exercises work for you as you wish. You can work chronologically through each day, or you can spend more time on one day if it needs more attention and then catch up with the other exercises at a later date. Most importantly, just keep writing! Save revisions for after the end of the challenge. I’d love to know how you get on so leave a comment!

Adopt a Character

Some characters stay with us. Have you ever imagined what happens after a novel ends? Or what happened before the story even began? Many writers use existing characters in order to explore a life beyond the book they’ve read. Think of Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea or Howard Jacobson’s Shylock is my Name. In this exercise you will offer a new life to a character that already exists. Give Heathcliff a 21^st century makeover or surmise how Mrs. Dalloway’s life unfolds after her party is over. Although this is a fun exercise, it’s also a great way to practice plotting as the character you’re exploring is already fully formed (although you’re adding your own spin). You can either write what your story would be about or just straight launch into it.

Come back tomorrow for another exercise. Happy Writing!

Previous exercises:  Day One – You are Here

                                Day Two – Fashioning your Character

                                Day Three – Transformation 

                                    Day Four –Giving Directions