A Writing Exercise Using Color

 

C O L O R

We promote showing over telling, emphasize it, in fact. It's a lot easier to tell (or report) than it is to show what a character does or feels or what is occurring. Today's post should help you try to show more than tell. It's a bit of a challenge. I've done a sample of the exercise. Give it a try. You might even find the beginning of a new story or essay. 

I want you to choose a color.  Don’t make it tough for yourself, skip chartreuse and go with green.  Got that color in mind?  Okay, now I want you to write a scene that reflects that color.  What do I mean by that?   Well, take red. How about a man chopping brush at the edge of a forest fire with flame and glowing embers all around, maybe at twilight. Or think of an avalanche of cut-paper Valentine hearts as a surprise for someone’s sweetie.  A cold, sweating stone tomb on a misty day (gray, anyone?).  See what I mean?  

The thing is that you cannot mention the name of the color in this exercise. Show your reader what the color is without naming it. A challenge? Perhaps--but one with benefits. 

My sample exercise is below. The color I chose is 'purple'. You have a rainbow to choose from. Try the exercise using a different hue each time. Note that other colors are named, but not the one you are attempting to 'show'.

PURPLE: (285 words)

The heavy velvet cloak on the bed appeared to glow, its deep shade overpowering the white coverlet it lay upon. Elizabeth ran her hand over the soft fabric. “It reminds me of the grapes grown in the vineyards beyond the castle walls. So deep and rich, they call out for any passerby to pluck them off the vine and taste, the juice running down his chin.” Her silvery laughter echoed off the stone walls as she swept the rich-colored cloak from the bed. 

“Milady, please, it’s time to go. Let me help you with the cloak.”

Elizabeth released the garment when the servant girl grasped it. “Allright, let’s put it on and be on our way. But be careful with the cloak. It cost a king’s ransom!”

“And why wouldn’t it, Milady? Look at the gold threads around the collar and all across the hem, woven in and out to make a design that looks magical. The whole thing reminds me of ripe plums hanging low on those little ornamental trees in the courtyard.”

“Really? I’d not thought about that, but you’re right. Grapes. Plums. But neither of those has the depth of this fabric, nor the softness. My hand reaches out of its own accord, needing to touch it again and again. "Hurry Hester, put it on so I can look in the mirror.”

Elizabeth gathered the cloak close when Hester placed it on her shoulders. She gazed into the long mirror and gasped. “Look Hester, the cloak matches my eyes. Never did I think of them as glorious a color as this, but perhaps it is only a reflection.” She bent close to the mirror and studied herself, eyes opened wide.