Jumpstart #4 Spring 2007

A. Today we started out by writing six word stories, inspired by the Hemingway story:

For Sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.

If you want to submit your work to the anthology of six word memoirs, see here:

http://smithmag.net/sixwords/

B. Then we did a metaphor exercise. Thanks for bearing with me--it's a new exercise and I'm figuring out how to present it.

Metaphor Exercise inspired by Mary Gaitskill's story "Tonight I'm Yours" which appeared in Best American Stories 2006.

1. Make a list of 5 items or objects.
2. Think of a person you love.
3. Choose an object from the list.
4. Brainstorm a list of the ways that your love for that person (or fictional character) is like the object in a positive way. (For example, "Your love for Bob is like a shiny leather couch because. . .")
5. Then think of the negative aspects or areas of conflict with that person you love. Brainstorm a list using the same kind of object, but different. (For example, "But sometimes your love for Bob is like a dusty couch abandoned on a street corner because. . .")
6. Write a story in which you recount a scene or dramatic event that illustrates the complexity of your love (or the character's love) for someone and how that love changes. Use the metaphor to underscore the changes.

Try to begin your piece with a variation of the sentence:

My love for (X) is like a (A1) except when my love for (X) is like (A2).

Symbol guide: X--character; A1--positive aspect of object; A2--negative aspect of object

HOMEWORK: Eavesdrop unnoticed on a conversation between two strangers. Transcribe every utterance from their mouths for a period of 5 to 10 minutes. Bring this into class. Take a nugget from the overheard conversation and write a short (5 to 10 line) dialogue inspired by their conversation.

Post any and all work to the blog!