Bricolage is a French term that essentially means to "use what you have available to create a solution." In writing terms it means to create something from things that happen to be around. Today's creative writing entry is an exercise in creativity and to include something very boring: a piece of gravel. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how the characters in this piece developed. I hope that you enjoy reading it!
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Andy and George were two kids in search of something. It was summertime and they were BORED. They had already swiped peaches off of their neighbor's tree. They had raced each other through the neighborhood three times. Andy won the first two and George finally won the last race. They had even tested who was braver by seeing who would get closest to Mr. Haney's rottweiler--a dog that was safely chained up and behind a fence Mr. Haney's backyard.
George was tossing a piece of gravel when Andy had his bright idea. Who could get it through the tiny hole in George's window, without breaking the window further? George thought that it was a fine idea and the boys promptly put it into action. George's window faced the backyard, so they could also keep an eye out for his Mom in case she came out while doing house work. The hole was in the bottom left corner of the window and about an inch wide. The piece of gravel was maybe a half-inch wide; so it would take pretty good aim to get it through the window. George threw first since it was his house. He missed by a long shot, the piece of gravel bounced off the of wall next to the window and into the grass. Andy ran and picked up. He made a show of taking careful aim and pitched the gravel. It pinged off of the glass and Andy whooped in victory. George grumbled at him and tried again; it pinged off the glass as well and very close to the tiny hole. They each took another turn, each one missing again. George tried one last time--but this time, his mother was at the window, right when the gravel hit it! Holy Moly! The look on her face! George knew he was in for it and there was nowhere to hide. Andy was frozen in place. George's mother came tearing out of the house, yelling at both of them. His mind was spinning as her words sunk in: No dinner! Grounded for a week! And just wait until his father came home from work! Oh, jeez, thought George, this is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. He slumped back into the house and while his mother marched Andy into the kitchen so that she could call his mother.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
One-Sentence Journal: 1/4/2011
The sunrise on my way to work was beautiful this morning: cotton clouds were screening the sun itself and I could see golden rays of sunlight beaming down from the sky.
Monday, January 3, 2011
One-Sentence Journal: 1/3/2011
The hot water heater died mysteriously over the weekend and definitely without my permission!
Writing Exercise: My Droopy Candle
The paragrah below was an exercise in description about a candle. It was written for the online class "Beginning Writer's Workshop" through Wake Technical Community College. I enjoyed writing it; I hope that you enjoy reading it!
I'm upstairs in my bedroom, writing by the light of five candles. I journal this way and I like it--I feel close to my thoughts, in the semi-darkness. The heat just kicked on and the air currents are throwing the flames about wildly--their light is flickering madly and it's making it harder to write and see clearly! One of the tapers is much shorter than the others--it's been used much more often. It's a little droopy and the melted wax has dripped all down the side of the candle; it's even pooled into the well of the neighboring tea lite. It makes me think of a stalagmite--the shape of the melted wax is so organic. It's so weird, to think that something made of wax or even stone as organic. Organic things ought to have life, no? Oh look, the melted wax from droopy candle is just oozing all over the tea lite. the wax is about to engulf the tea lite, like magma creeping over a rock in its path. Soon the little tea lite will be encased in wax! That's going to be fun to clean up!
Time for a design change
I am redesigning this blog and expanding it's focus. I've changed the name to reflect the broader, creative nature of the content. I'm going to continue posting about my cooking adventures but I am also going to include sections to share my writing and various creative endeavours such as my sewing, photography, and simple do-it-yourself projects. I welcome your comments and I am looking forward to sharing my adventures with you!
Cheers,
Kim
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