Writing to stimulate the creative mind, satisfy the soul and score on the hsc trail.

Having done the hsc, become a teacher (of sorts) and being full of opinion, I begin to write as an example to those a similar trail. The idea is that I’ll write something, they can respond and so forth. I am doing this with a particular person in mind, to a particular person, but it could be interesting if others join in. It’s still teaching a bit about devices, techniques and subject. The aim is make all those devices work in your favour, so they flow.

Devices
DO

Take a word, any word. An intriguing word, a word that may have many meanings, or lead you in to find greater meaning. It’s part of letting the first thing on your mind be written down, and allowing it to paint a picture. Find something you like, something you know. Don’t enter high-minded criticisms on society unless it’s really unique. I’ll explain more on this later. Back to devices. Any word is better as an abstract word that you follow up with concrete experiences. Explore the word.

So let’s begin with a story about Devices.

Left to my own devices. Devices, vices. Nice enough to leave them alone to their own devices. What does the word conjure up for you? Of course, devices are tools to explore our vices.

Tips:

DON’T
When writing, be aware not to rhyme unless you are specifically doing it for a reason.

DO
Edit. You’ve probably got the good habit of editing before handing something in, even in tests-make sure you leave enough time. (if only someone else could reread-every time I make a journal entry, I go back and fix some shocking mistakes. Never mind!)

DON’T
Begin every sentence with ‘Then’ or ‘and then’.

DO
Use words you can spell. There are no spell checks in exams. If in doubt, leave it.

DON’T
Use too much speech.

DO
Use people’s body language to communicate.

Eg. He turned his back to hide his tears. Bent his head to cradle it in his hands. His shoulders heaved and shook. Silently, he turned back towards the clerk, left the form on the table and left the room.

Or let the difference in their body lang. and speech tell the story, if you can pull it off.
I.e. (continued) Silently, he turned back towards the clerk; he smiled dully and said “Great! I’m very happy to hear it. Fantastic news.”
>which do you beleive? the speech or the body language?

So, body language as opposed to speech is a device. Describing incongruent behaviour and speech can also be funny, as well-cartoons use it all the time to exaggerate. Eg character recoils in shock and horror. ’er, great to see you’.

Ok, so maybe enough with the teaching, for now! Let me have a go. You write your turn in your own profile (let me know in a comment) and we’ll go from there…

“Hearts have been a little bit hurt through this process”. The phrase hung in the air. He looked a bit shell shocked. The crowd laughed. His heart beat wildly. Gathering his thoughts, heart beating fast, his head shaking, he stammered and denied all, coolly, he thought, and said quickly. “No, no. No. (pause) Nah. No”.

Everyone knew there was more there. He knew there was more there. But he couldn’t admit it. He couldn’t, with his potential future in-laws right there. With all these people who had nothing to do with his feelings, all there watching. There was nothing he could discuss, no, nothing at all.

But his smile gave it away. Everyone knew it. He laughed and he laughed off the awkwardness, and leaned in for the next question. The host, of course, wasn’t going to let the potential of love explored, be thwarted. “Now tell us honestly, what you really felt”. He uncrossed his arms. Throwing them in the air, rolling his eyes and shaking his head, he said “ I can’t!” Everyone knew anyway.

So they showed the footage of hearts in action. It gave him time to collect himself. It also took him back on the rollercoaster, showing him another world view of love that he had experienced, not watched. It was hard to make sense of. He shook his head in disbelief. “ Well, now I, well, uhhh”. Whoa.

The host took over his incoherent speech and moved right along. He was still blown away. But the show kept rolling away. The host fired more questions, clearly knocking him for six. He smiled and nodded and answered as best he could, hardly knowing what came babbling from his mouth. Anything but love. Anything to not mention his wounded heart.

...that’s it for now! Yeah, creative writing isn’t easy, is it? Even I make tons of mistakes, so don’t be too hard n yourself. Write as much as possible. If you read stuff you like, remember it, try to copy (ie emmulate), use stuff you get good feedback on again.

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Tags:

body, hsc, language, speech and writng