An update from our forty-ninth Writing Workshop A summary of the workshop held on Saturday October 9, plus some of the output published below For this writing workshop, William presented one of his revised workshop topics on thoughtful word choice. More specifically, William described the concepts of Consonance, repeating a consonant anywhere in a word, Alliteration, repeating the first consonant sound only, and Assonance, repeating the vowel sounds. After going over the classic tongue-twister example of “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,” the class moved on to some more abstract examples, including the use of repetitive motifs in music, like in Beethoven or a piece by Philip Glass. The challenge: Write a new piece full of alliteration, consonance, and assonance OR revise one of your old pieces to add more similar sounds. The Participants: Liam, Elbert, Len D, Aditi, Samantha, Kate, Kina, Faiz, Sierra, Tilly, Grace, Iago, Nami, Jonathan The Train by Jonathan Li, 12 The entire place was bustling for a view. The walking cane came into view. The strong tree now supporting the stout old man. Short but steady he walked, clacking with the energy of a pirate’s peg leg. Poor as he was, a proper walking stick needed a good pick. Smoothed after years of use, it was all he needed in life. Little old man with a walking stick, brandished like a whip. Hurrying to the train, the stick made from tree waved and waved to reach the train going westward. Soon he saw the doors start closing. Surely he would turn and give up. I heard the wild noise, the shouts implying he would be squished like a pancake pie. He saw it too, felt the wind on his three white hairs, and moved with remarkable speed. And like that, we left the platform, impacts behind, hopes ahead, and memories forever stored. Off into the sunset. Aditi Nair, 13Midlothian, VA The Silent Stream by Aditi Nair, 13 A sliver of light contoured the salient soul of the silent stream– accentuating a surplus of red posies pirouetting with the wind, while shedding light on coarse cliffs masking the dotted trees on the horizon. Colors alter the way we comprehend nature. Colors alter the way we comprehend our lives. Even the scariest of places changes our perception. Even the quietest of places has a story waiting to be told. Buoyant boulders sing with the crashing waters, and lively leaves enliven the tranquil trees, while staying close to the silent stream.
William Rubel
Writing Workshop #47: Character Descriptions
An update from our forty-seventh Writing Workshop A summary of the workshop held on Saturday September 18, plus some of the output published below At this writing workshop, we looked at some classic art: grotesques by Leonardo da Vinci and portraits by Vermeer and Rembrandt. With these art pieces in mind, William asked the participants to think about the concept of an outline or sketch for characters, and how we might flesh them out later in the writing process. William emphasized how the choices that authors make in describing characters impact the story as a whole and how the reader understands a character. The Challenge: Write a description of a character, beginning with an outline of their face. Then you can move on to other physical characteristics or clothing descriptions. Lastly, if you have time, you may build a story around this character. The Participants: Faiz, Peri, Aditi, Lena D, Nami, Jonathan L, Tilly M, Rachael L, Madeline K, Elbert P, Sierra E, Marissa L, Kate P, Kina S, Liam Peri Gordon, 11(Sherman Oaks, CA) Defined by Suffering by Peri Gordon, 11 What to do with such terrible eyes? They were wide, wet, bloodshot things that stood out even in a crowd of a hundred, and the right one was black and swollen. Below the eyes, the man’s nose, pale and slender, rose from his face, then dipped back down into it only a few centimeters below, unnoticed. The lips were cut up, chapped, and ruined, as the man felt like his heart was. The chin was small and pointed, and the rest of the face was only a bit wider. Around his shoulders was a tiny cloth, which had once been a large rag, which had once been a ripped coat, which had once been a fine coat. What were once smooth, silken pants had had a similar fate. The man was barefoot and gloveless, and his hands and feet were a deep shade of purple from the punishing cold of winter. His fingernails were reduced to nothing, for the man had bitten them anxiously day after day. A once successful businessman, now injured, rejected, and homeless, he thought about standing up straight but no longer had the will even to accomplish this simple task.
Writing Workshop #46: Monologues
An update from our forty-sixth Writing Workshop A summary of the workshop held on Saturday September 11, plus some of the output published below For the first writing workshop of the Fall term, William presented on the concept of monologues, citing famous examples, like Mark Antony’s speech at the end of Shakespeare’s play Julius Ceasar. William went over the many ways monologues can reveal a character’s emotional state, as well as their motivations. The class also took a look at examples from Alice in Wonderland and watched a crucial Snape monologue from Harry Potter. After 5 minutes to sketch a quick character outline, the class launched into 30 minutes of creating their own monologue delivered by the character they created. Below is some of the work that the young writers in this workshop crafted in this session. The Challenge: Write a character sketch for 5 minutes and then write a monologue delivered by the character. The Participants: Peri G, Aditi N, Nami G, Elbert P, Jonathan, Nova M.C., Iago M.C., Peri Gordon, 11(Sherman Oaks, CA) Life Gone Awry Peri Gordon, 11 “Is it just me, or does it seem like aliens invaded our planet and convinced everyone to add to my workload? What do I even start with? The bank is a priority, I guess; yes, my job has to come first. But if I don’t make more music, I’ll lose my studio…I guess I should head there. What am I thinking? I can’t miss work. I’ll have to quit writing songs once and for all…and yet I always told Bonnie she could intern for me in the studio when she turned 15. Oh, yes, the birthday gift for Bonnie—what was it again? Did we decide? What is wrong with my memory? Let me call Dave. Where is my phone? If I can just get to my office, I can make sure I have it…hey, you, stop honking, sir! None of this is my fault, don’t you understand? Is it just me, or does it seem like the whole world is turning against me? Please, someone, help! Where do I go? Why doesn’t Dave get a job? Right, as if he would want all this work after my stress reports. To work, then. But first, coffee. At least that I have…stop the honking! And, excuse me, ma’am, but that was my coffee you just knocked over…onto my…papers. Right, well, I can’t go to work now. Mr. Burns will be furious. Oh, yes, the video game for Bonnie! Right over there, I promised Dave I would buy it. Right, open 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Let’s see, what time is it? 11:10, of course. I don’t think I’ve made it to a store on time in five years. What is wrong with me? Well, I know exactly what’s wrong with me: I’m overloaded. How is it that every person on the street seems so… normal? How uncommon is it to be this unlucky when it’s all I am? Oh, and yes, I’m already late to work because of the coffee spill on my papers, thanks to that inconsiderate jogger. And because Bonnie has a birthday, such a ridiculous little thing. And because Dave won’t get a job! Is it just me, or does it seem like aliens invaded our planet and convinced everyone to add to my workload?”
