Listen to this lesson (5:21)
[audio:http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/authorcartel/Rule%201.1%20-%20First%20Exercise.mp3]If you aren’t sharing your stories, you won’t get much out of this course. So instead of putting it off, your first exercise is to write and share a story with your Cartel.
In other words, you have to share a story with us.
Photo by Arend Jan Wonik
Your Assignment
Here is your assignment: Write a story 750 words long and share it as a new topic here in the forums. This could be:
- Complete Fiction
- Fiction but based on real life
- Non-fiction about another person
- Non-fiction about yourself
It just has to be a story.
If you’re stuck…
Not sure what to write about? Consider starting with tip #4 in Pixar’s 22 rules of story and fill in the blanks:
Once upon a time there was a ___ (your protagonist). Every day, he/she ___ (what does your protagonist do?). One day ___ (what antagonist throws his/her life out of balance?). Because of that, ___ (conflict). Because of that, ___ (more conflict). Until finally ___ (resolution).
Feel free to use any of Pixar’s other 22 rules of story as well.
After you post your story, critique at least three stories by other Cartelistas. How should you give feedback? Say two things you liked about the stories you read and one thing you didn’t like. Try to be as specific as you can. In Rule 3: Writers Read, we’ll talk more about how to give excellent feedback.
These should be finished pieces, and if you see spelling or grammar errors, feel free to point them out. I love it when people correct my typos! It’s a gift.
To review, your assignment is to:
- Write a 750 word long story.
- Share your story as a new topic here.
- Critique three other stories by other writers, saying two things you liked and one thing you didn’t like.
- Do a happy jig because you just shared your story!
What do you mean by Story?
My favorite definition of the word story is from Donald Miller, who says, “A character who wants something and is willing to go through conflict to get it.”
Your story could be about a fictional character or someone you know in real life or even about yourself. However, make him or her want something from the very beginning. Kurt Vonnegut says:
When I used to teach creative writing, I would tell the students to make their characters want something right away—even if it’s only a glass of water. Characters paralyzed by the meaninglessness of modern life still have to drink water from time to time.
A few other suggestions:
- Tell your story in one sitting. Yes, the whole thing! Breaking it up will only ruin your flow.
- Write three drafts: Write, read what you’ve written, re-write, read you you’ve written, polish.
- When you read, read out loud, listening to the sounds of your words.
- Don’t make it perfect, because perfect is impossible! (More on that later.) But make it good.
Examples of Stories
I always find reading other good writing can be a helpful way to unlock my creativity. If you need them, below are a few examples, taken from the winners of our writing contest on The Write Practice:
Fiction
- If I Had a Hammer by Bob Vander Lugt
- Miss Maizie County’s Public Disgrace by Marla Cantrell
Non-fiction
- The Ride by Kristi Boyce
- On Behalf of Love by Tara Boyce
Why Share Your Story?
You’re probably already sharing your story in some form or other, but if you aren’t, then now is the time to start.
This course is about sharing your work publicly on both a large and small scale.You need to begin “experimenting with sharing,” to make some mistakes and boost your confidence. This way, when we get to the big shares, like publishing your book on Story Cartel, you will be ready.
We’ll talk more about why sharing your story is important in the next lessons.
Ready to start? Go write your story and then share it here.
Afterward, you can move on to the next lesson.
Questions? Ask them below!
I posted my first story following the instructions.
I posted healthy comments on two stories and didn’t write anything else before I posted as I was too busy dancing the jig and singing to my dog about my first story. I hope this counts as Lesson 1 still 🙂
Good first exercise. The assignment was so general I was afraid I wouldn’t come up with a topic, but of course a topic presented itself. It’s always good to know the story will come once I open the door. A real confidence booster.
My oh my… I didn’t expect such a leap would be expected of us in the first lesson! (I am secretly grateful for the push, rather, than *shove* out the gate). I better go get to work and write a story!
Thank you!
🙂
I have a couple of ideas, are we allowed to have more than one go? Of course, I would also comment on more stories.
Of course, Hazel! But in exercise 2, you’ll have another story assignment, so don’t use up all your ideas at once. 🙂
I’ve posted my story (nearly had a heart attack) and read three stories and commented carefully on the overall stories and the details. Whew!
Great group we have here!
Just posted mine and finished critiquing three stories. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do so. Sharing a story was a LOT harder than I thought!
I posted my first story, “Off Pebble Beach.” Looking forward to any reactions I might get.
I also read and commented on three others: all three interesting, fun to read, and very different.
I think this class is going to be a lot of fun.
The sample stories Joe offered as examples are all beautiful.
I am very behind. But I posted my first 750 words and did my critiques. So happy to be here even if my lake house internet is spotty and I cannot participate the way I’d hoped. Praying I get some feedback to my story and I am doing the JIG for sure. It felt great to write something out of my norm and my kids even loved it. to quote my daughter “Mom, I didn’t know you could write like that. You’re like almost even better than John Greene!” wow. I wasn’t expecting that. And that for today is enough!
Wow! That’s high praise, Sarah. I love that you let your kids read it. It sounds like it was a cool experience for you.
Since I decided at to start from beginning of course again, after my absence, I posted a new story: The Last American Artist