I was one of those students who for some crazy reason loved homework.  And tests.  Especially the standardized variety.  I suppose I just liked the challenge.  Fast forward to a writing class I am taking.  It’s fun but this week’s assignment has been a little challenging.  I need to provide a brief description of the role my main characters play in the novel.  That is not hard.  I have multi-page character interviews and voice journals.  I know who they are and what they are doing in the story.  BUT… the assignment says limit the response to 500 words.   When I simply provide the role they play in the novel, I am only at around 100 words.  I elaborate a little and have been able to bring in all my main characters (except the parents) in under my 500 word maximum.  Yay!

Next I have to include a scene of dialogue where at least two of the main characters are talking.  This is really fun!  I have something from one of the chapters I have finished that will work.  Again, there is a 500 word limit so I just need to polish it up a bit further.  Omit unnecessary words, adverbs and the like. 

For example in this 14 word sentence:  “I could see Drew peering through the glass and then he let himself in.” 

I can omit a number of words and change the progressive tense “peering” to simple past tense “peered.”   Cec Murphey had a great blog post on progressive vs. simple past tense.  Check it out here.

It’s down to 10 words and I might be able to get it shorter if I work with it a bit more:  “Drew peered through the glass and then let himself in.”

I am very excited for the critique to come back.  I know it may seem strange – but the harsher the better.  It will only serve to make the story stronger.

Signing off to enter an NCAA pool  (Go Villanova!!), watch LOST and then write for an hour or two before bed.