Writing exercises - want to join in?

[J.B.]

Okay guys, I have been really crap at keeping this group going, but I'd like to start in earnest, right now. What are your thoughts on how we can interact in this group? At school, my writers' group tend to share their writing and work through writing exercises. I don't imagine many of you are keen on sharing openly (I'm certainly not, especially when we are talking about a first draft) but should I post some interesting writing exercises? Or is there something else you can suggest? The group is Writing for Young Adults, so I imagine you joined in order to discuss/develop skills in this area. Let me know! JB

[David]

Maybe some writing prompts for short form stuff? Put a word cap on it and make it purely for the exercise?

[J.B.]

How about this: Put two characters you already know from your own fiction in a wilderness of some sort. It could be a desert or a big foreign city where the characters don't speak the language. Do not explain to us why these characters have landed in this wilderness. Stick to one POV. Slowly describe the other character, who does not want to be seen but leaves a handful of traces. 600 words. (From The 3AM Epiphany: Uncommon Writing Exercises that Transform Your Fiction by Brian Kiteley).
No need to share if you don't want to, but you can if you want.

[David]

This was interesting...and quite difficult actually. One I would definitely like to revisit later.

[J.B.]

David wrote: "This was interesting...and quite difficult actually. One I would definitely like to revisit later."

Yes, they're harder than they look, aren't they? Want to do another one, or are you happy working on your manuscript?

[David]

I have three projects on the go, but I'm finding the side projects keep me from grinding to a halt. Writing begets writing it seems...

[J.B.]

Okay! It's been far too long since I posted something here. How about this: if you're struggling to get inside your protagonist's head, spend a morning being him or her. That means you don't approach things in your usual way, but in his/her way instead. This includes little things like eating, driving and shopping. I'd love to hear how it went!