Create a Character Sketch

 

Marlene Cullen offers writers writing prompts and exercises through her blog at The Write Spot . One that I particularly liked helps short story and novel writers build the characters they are writing about. Ms Cullen graciously gave me permission to use the exercise on my blog. Visit her blog to find the menu of the many things offered to writers. 

The photo today shows someone sketching a person. You can do a written sketch of characters with Ms. Cullen's exercise. 

THE EXERCISE TO SKETCH YOUR CHARACTERS

Finish sentences as your fictional character would.

OR: Write your responses, as author/writer.

My full name is (include maiden name and middle name):

I live at or near . . .

I live with . . .

I usually wear . . .

I want . . .

I hope . . .

People would be surprised to know that I . . .

I am happiest when . . .

I daydream about . . .

If I had my way . . .

I don’t understand . . .

I get angry when . . .

People wouldn’t like it if they knew . . .

I never told anyone that I . . .

If I were in charge . . .

My hobbies are . . .

My favorite breakfast . . .

My pet peeves . . .

My favorite drink . . .

My favorite place to hang out . . .

I don’t like it when . . .

My best friend . . .

I like to . . .

Find out more about Marlene Cullen's The Write Spot website, which includes her blog, at  https://www.thewritespot.us/ 

 

A Book For Writers and A Website, Too!

Today, I'd like to feature a book I read, cover to cover, last evening. The Write Spot:  Reflections is the third in a series of books meant to help writers and wannabe writers. In the introduction, editor Marlene Cullen, says:

    "If you want to write and don't know how to get started, this book is for you.  

    If you are a writer and feeling stuck, this book is for you.

    If you like reading a variety of writing for enjoyment, this book is for you."

The book is a collection of short stories, poems and vignettes to entertain but also to inspire writing. Each contributor includes a short bio and a few paragraphs on Why I Write after their writing contributions. I found some illuminating statements in the Why I Write sections. I also found so a great deal to enjoy in the offerings of the different authors.

At the end of each contributed story, poem or vignette, the prompt the writer used is given. The editor, Marlene Cullen, has a blog filled with prompts. She also uses prompts and freewriting in her writing workshops which she teaches in California. I would love to live close enough to attend. Even halfway across the country, I can benefit from the prompts on the blog. I found that reading the piece in the book and then the prompt was sometimes an 'aha' moment. Also a learning moment. I found myself thinking many times Look where this writer went with a simple little prompt. I thought about using the same prompts as the authors in the book had done for my own writing exercises. I think it would benefit any writer or wannabe writer to use the prompts for inspiration. 

Even non-writers, those who are readers only, would find some enjoyment in the variety of offerings in this book. If you're looking for inspiration to write, try this book.

I would also urge you to take a look at Marlene Cullen's website to learn more about her and to take advantage of the prompts she offers daily as well as a wonderful resource page where she lists blogs for writers (yours truly included), websites for writers and places to submit your writing. A true treasure trove for writers. 

The first two books in the series are:

  The Write Spot To Jumpstart Your Writing:  Discoveries

  The Write Spot To Jumpstart Your Writing:  Connections