The Place For My Writers Notes

Original posting 28 December 2008

One thing that happens at holidays is that we encounter old friends and relatives -- people that we haven't seen in a while. And although we usually reassure each other that "you haven't changed at all" in many cases they have changed. Lost weight, gained weight, trained their hair into a cockatoo crest, colored it purple or green or perhaps had all the color vanish somewhere along the way. Changes...

Today's exercise is really simple. Take one person -- it may be an actual person that you met this holiday season or a figurative character dwelling in your imagination. And pick some change. Physical, mental, whatever you like. Now write a scene -- action, dialogue, etc. and other characters at your choice -- where you describe to us how they appear now. And in that description, that display of their current appearance and activities -- also show us how they used to be.

You can even use meeting them under the tree... well, under the mistletoe, or perhaps with a glass of New Year's cheer or whatever. And in that exchange of reappraisals, let us know how they've changed and perhaps how the point of view character has changed.

Is it time for New Year's resolutions yet?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot...