Creative Writing - Character and Setting

The assignment consists of two parts:

a)      A 1000-1250-word postcard story

b)      A 400-500-word rationale

You will write on character or on setting; please choose.  Please hand in the assignment as one Word document.  Please include a word count, and ensure that you have stayed within 10% of the assigned lengths.

a)      The 1000-1250-word postcard story –

Character options - choose one of the following pairs of characters and write a story from one character’s point of view (the central character)

• Use limited third-person (only the central character’s pov)
• Incorporate dialogue
• Write the story as one sustained scene (backstory is fine but don’t shift scenes)

Present the central character using all of the four direct methods of characterization and present the second person as a flat character.  Incorporate both direct and indirect dialogue.

1. A couple on a first date
2. A couple on a last date
3. Two friends reuniting after ten years
4. A parent teaching a child something
5. A stranger helping another person

Setting options - choose one of the following locations and write a story about an accident that occurs at the location

• Use limited third-person (only the central character’s pov)
• Incorporate dialogue
• Write the story as one sustained scene (backstory is fine but don’t shift scenes)

Using concrete significant details, establish the mood of the setting through long shots, middle shots, and close-ups and the incorporation of props that would common to your setting.

1. A workplace
2. A butterfly conservatory
3. A retail store
4. A gym
5. A playground

b)      A 400-500-word rationale –

Character option - Using the template that Burroway provides on page 96 of the text, write a character sentence for your main character.  With reference to Burroway and by pointing to specific moments in your postcard story, write a brief explanation of how you have used image, voice, thought, and action to convey the main character’s motivation or desire.  In the rationale, also point to moments at which your techniques compare/contrast to those you noticed in the Bausch and/or Bloom story.

Setting option - With reference to Burroway and by pointing to specific moments in your postcard story, write a brief explanation of where and why you have used long shots, middle shots, and close-ups.  Explain the time and place and mood you are trying to indirectly create and point to specific diction that you use to create this mood. In the rationale, also point to moments at which your techniques compare/contrast to those you noticed in the Barthelme and/or Carter story.