Monday, April 19, 2021

Sullen Man, Lesson 9

Create a mind map.  

Use metaphors.  Try hyperbole.  Use litotes.  

And, just what is the difference between plot and story.

Those are a few guidelines from my College Writing Course.  It not only instructs in all things literary, but has writing prompts.  For the next few days I'll share with you some of those prompted writings.

THE PROMPT

ENAGE THE SENSES, USE LITERARY DEVICES, 
rewite this paragraph.

“Billy was not happy. His mood was sullen and he did not smile a lot. Everyone knew what was wrong. They knew that his girlfriend, Marie, had just broken up with him. That made Billy feel sick to his stomach. Most days he didn’t want to get out of bed.”

THE REWRITE

Billy flung his Popeye-like "muskled" forearm over his eyes.  Sunlight, hall light, any light was not welcome.  He just wanted to block it out, stay the kid in the closet.  

Billy and his girlfriend Marie weren't joined at the hip like poets write, they were tied together at the shoulders with their interlocked arms.  But SHE cut the ribbon!  

About to throw up, he stayed in bed.  It conformed to his body like warm sand on a beach, comforting.  He had no energy for his parents inquisition.   They'd seen his drooped pale lips, and watched him wipe his eyes from nose to ear smearing tears.  

They'd break apart the loving picture that Marie and him had made.  Then they'd put the puzzle pieces back together trying to make a new bright Kincade painting of the future.  He was having none of it.  

And he slammed his eyes shut even tighter!


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