Who is that masked man?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

original posting: Sun, 26 Dec 1993 18:35:02 JST

First, pick a character from a story you have written or are working on.

Got him or her clearly in your mental eye?

Ok! Now, your character just went to their hometown (or somewhere else that they expected they would be recognized). No problem - but the person that everyone remembers and presents to your character is COMPLETELY different from what they remember and think.

Questions: What's wrong? Are the townspeople right or is your character right? How does the character react to this?

YOUR CHALLENGE: Figure that out and write up the scene. Make sure that the conflict in memories is clearly brought out through actions and dialogue. Have your character (and the reader) work out the problem, react to it, and eventually resolve it.

WRITE!

Raindrops...

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

original posting: Sun, 2 Jan 1994 18:35:02 JST

First, pick a character from a story you have written or are working on.

Got him or her clearly in your mental eye?

Ok! Now, your character just went into a stranger's house and took a shower (or bath) - fully clothed!

YOUR CHALLENGE: Why did your character do this? Figure that out, and write up the scene, finally (i.e. at the END of the scene) revealing the real reason behind your character's actions.

WRITE!

Use With Care

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

original posting: Sun, 9 Jan 1994 18:35:01 JST

on alt.usage.english, someone quoted the Boston Globe

The Globe's conclusion is that catholic "has joined the list of words that have to be handled with care - words such as queer, alien, feminine and black - words that have come to connote something different from what they used, words that, used carelessly or casually, may give offense..

So, scriveners of the wild word, let's see short pieces using the words catholic (as in catholic tastes), queer, alien, feminine and black in such a way that they do not offend, but rather convey precisely the correct connotations for your piece. Handle with great care!

Your choice as to whether you only use one word or all five in a single piece.

BONUS: Make a list of other words that are likely to be problematic in use. You may start with "broad", if you like.