Day 2 | Literalizing the metaphorical by F. E. Choe
Take one to two minutes to jot down a list of common idioms, metaphors, or similes–any phrases you might consider overused or cliché.
A quick search yields examples like “paint the town red,” “playing the world’s smallest violin,” and “love is a battlefield.”
Select one and literalize it. Write a story, for example, in which your character(s) really do paint the town red. Why do they do this? What are the expected or unexpected consequences?
For bonus points, try setting challenging limits on your drafting time for this one. Can you get from an opening to an ending in two 25-minute sessions? How about in just 30 or 20 minutes?
F.E. ChoeF.E. Choe is a Canadian and Korean-American writer whose work has been published in adda, Augur, Clarkesworld, Fractured Lit, and The Moth Magazine. She is a 2023 alum of the Clarion West and Viable Paradise workshops, and an Editor at 100 Word Story. You can find her online at www.fechoe.com.
Join the discussion: what will you do with today’s prompt OR how did it go? Need support? Post here!
Remember: I don’t recommend posting your story in the comments here (and I talk more about why not, here). Best practice: Leave us a comment about how it went, or share your favorite line from your story.
Here’s your next Game Piece. save the image and share on social media with #storyaday
Prefer paper crafts? Here’s the cut & paste version
