Wednesday, November 17, 2010

More Workshop Writing

Mixed Metaphors-"Bad news cures all things." (Partially based on a paternal great grandmother's story-unfortunately she died of a broken heart my grandmother said and her husband married her nurse, and left his younger children on their own.) Historical FICTION writing: somewhat based on fact.

Having lost her job, she thought it was the end of the world, then her husband announced he was leaving her for another woman-his personal secretary. The loss of her employment seemed inconsequential compared to this other bad news. She would have plenty of time now to contact a lawyer and sue her husband for outrageous alimony and child support payments. She would survive.

Character Descriptions (Based on a great grandmother's life but added upon.)

Unassuming she was short and stocky yet there was a fierce independence in her eyes. Born in Iceland, she immigrated with her widowed mother and stern stepfather after their conversion to Mormonism. She felt out of her element living in Spanish Fork, Utah so far inland from any ocean. The only work she’d known as a young woman was tending sheep, now she ran a boarding house in the wild mining town of Silver City, Utah.

No one dared cross her path without permission. She could handle any man drunk or otherwise with just a look. Until she met him, Wm. Marion, a gambler and new saloon owner in town. Slick in his store bought clothes, pleasant manner and shifty eyes. He, though twenty-seven years older, would sweep her off her feet.

Using non fiction experiences from our own lives and the lives of those we've known, you can create historical fiction. Try it, it's fun and creative.

4 comments:

  1. Oh, that's a powerful one, Lin. So much strength of character, so much self-respect to get over the grief. Great writing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, I can see that you are having a lot of fun with your writer's workshops.

    ReplyDelete