Writing Exercise #10

Hallelujah, session is over! Yesterday the Legislature adjourned Sine Die, on day 10,945! It was another rough week, but we're finally done...and that's all that matters!! 

It ended up being a really enjoyable evening. I went out to a lovely dinner at Sebastian's Table with some friends to celebrate, then back to one of their houses to hang out and have a writer's club meeting. We spent most of the time just chatting (one person read what they'd been working on for this exercise, which was excellent as always), which was really nice. 

Speaking of writer's club, I had a tough time wrapping my brain around the concept provided by the exercise. I decided to use a scene from Sense and Sensibility with Margaret in it, when she and Marianne first meet Willoughby. I reread the passage in the story and it was incredibly short, given the introduction of such a major character...so I decided to run with it.

 

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WRITING EXERCISES

Using the character you developed in Chapter 9: Dialogue and Character, start to create a scene with them. Neil points to an interesting way to introduce characters: by putting them in an unfamiliar situation. 

Usually, this creates tension and gives you an opportunity to make your characters come to life for a reader. Come up with a situation that is challenging or emotional for your character and write a one-page scene in your notebook.

Writing Exercise #10

One of the few joys afforded the Dashwoods since leaving Norland were the glorious hills which surrounded their new home. These offered endless opportunities for beautiful and fascinating walks, which took place almost daily. With a view of the rolling countryside from almost every window, the crags and ridges called to them each morning. 

After several days of rain preventing their venturing outside, Margaret paced impatiently around the morning room. Strewn about was evidence of her restlessness - a book haphazardly laying spine up on a chair by the window, a half finished sketch on the open pages of her journal, and a partially crocheted doily left strewn upon the end table.  The morning had been fair, but as the sky slowly began to darken, she wanted to be off before another downpour hindered their excursion. Marianne had agreed to chance the rain with her. 

Striding over to the stairs, Margaret called (for Dashwoods did not yell) up to Marianne. 

“Do hurry! I can still see blue sky through the clouds!” 

Swift steps could be heard descending. 

“Then let us away, Margaret! I’m sure all will be well. They don’t appear to be rain clouds.” 

The two sisters stepped outside and walked away from the cottage toward the pathway which led into the highland surrounding them. While narrow and well worn in places, the track was easy to follow. A few scraggly trees dotted the skyline, with thrift and corncockle flowers gently blanketing the hillsides. As they climb farther, Margaret picks a few to bring back to brighten up the dining table. 

"Is there a felicity in the world," said Marianne, "superior to this?—Margaret, we will walk here at least two hours."*

Margaret smiled and readily consented to continue their stroll. Within the hour their plans were thwarted as water-laden clouds began to gather above them. After a crack and rumble, rain began to fall, first as a light shower and then a torrential downpour. The girls quickly turned around and began to descend, increasing their speed as they raced toward home. 

As the rain intensified, the path became more perilous, causing Margaret and Marianne to slip and slide as they ran. As they neared their destination, Marianne took a misstep, causing her to tumble and land hard, injuring her leg. Margaret, propelled by the momentum, was unable to stop and reached their garden gate safely. 

As Marianne attempted to rise, a figure materialized through the deluge. Running to her assistance, he knelt down next to her. 

“Madame, are you hurt?” 

Marianne shook her head. “Not very. At least, only my ankle.” 

The man helped Marianne to stand and, with a gesture of gallantry, lifted her into his arms and carried her back across the threshold which, only hours earlier, she had passed in a comfortable and waterless state. 

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I've been working on redecorating/rearranging my bedroom for the last year and I'm finally in the home stretch! I got an email today that my Nectar mattress will be delivered tomorrow, and with that arriving, which is important because my new bedframe is useless without it (I'm downsizing from a queen to a twin). Now I just need to move my wall unit, buy two IKEA bookshelves to replace said wall unit (since it doesn't hold enough books, lol) and I shall finally be done!

Anyone working on home projects they're working on?

~ Katie Q. 🐧

*Taken directly from Sense and Sensibility, Chapter 9

 https://www.gutenberg.org/files/161/161-h/161-h.htm