Warm-ups
This page will contain all the warm-ups we do and turn in during the Pre-Writing Phase. Use this page to keep track of your warm-ups.
Mystery Warm-up
Get a copy of My Mystery Warm-ups, choose one of the prompts from the packet and do a warm-up. Consider The Elements of a Mystery.
You could use this Graphic Organizer--I have paper copies.
Do some exploring of stories students have nominated on my Some Mystery Choices Index. You can also nominate stories by sending me an email.
Warm up: Different Format
After looking at "Ordeal by Cheque" or "Reply All," imagine a story and tell it through a different medium. (Ordeal by Cheque (not in cursive)
You could write...
Something similar to and epistolary novel--only shorter
Something with payments by check or bank statements
A credit card statement
Your own email story
A story composed of texts
Also check out:
In a Grove Warm-up
Write a story in which different characters explain an event. Make it so their stories don't match up and they couldn't all be telling the truth.
Who are the characters?
What's each person's motivation to lie?
Who's telling the truth?
To whom would they be telling their stories?
After you finish your warm-up get a copy of “In a Grove.”
Allegory Analysis and Plan
Check out this explanation.
Write a short analysis of:
Write down a plan for your own allegory.
Next Door Warm-up
Transitioning from the Music Warm-up, listen to the song "Right Next Door."
Write your story in which something is happening "Next Door."
Then read Kurt Vonnegut's "Next Door."
Music Warm-ups:
Example "My Mind's Playing Tricks on Me"
While students play other songs.
Time Manipulation Warmup
Write your story in which you manipulate time as in "Bullet in the Brain" and "Owl Creek Bridge."
Or write about someone facing execution
Or a bank robbery story
"The Other Wife" Warm up
Read the story
Write the next scene of the story
Where does it take place? Hotel? Walking? Car? At home?
What would Marc and Alice be feeling?
or
Write a crime thriller where two people run into someone they don't want to see.
What's the back story?
How will they escape?
or
Write a story in which a former couple run into each other.
Who are the characters?
What happened to their relationship? What's the back story?
Have they both moved on? How so? Who has/hasn't?
Where are they?
How does their meeting affect each of them?
Reunion Warm-up
Write/start your own story—use the title “Reunion”
I have two stories entitled "Reunion" that you could look at--just ask.
Who would re-unite?
Where?
What’s their history?
Why the absence?
What’s this meeting like?
Partner Dialogue Warm-up
With a partner open two docs that are shared with each other. Decide how you want to proceed. You can each design a scenario. Start by giving it a setting--or not, describe the characters a little.
Who are the characters? What's their relationship?
What are they talking about?
Is there conflict? Confusion?
Hawthorne Warm-up:
Look through his "Ideas for Stories," choose one and write a warm-up of your choosing. Be sure to include the idea at the top of your page.
Bizarre First Line/Starting Premise Warm up (Metamorphosis & Nose)
Choose one to read and critique.
Examples:
A man turns into a insect.
A man loses his nose--and sees it running around town.
Gay people turn blue.
Then create your own bizarre premise and do a warm-up based on it.
"Logline" Warm up
After hearing everyone's logline from the Syd Field Exercise, pick one, combine a few or create your own new idea and write the opening scene. Try to show the scene.(ask about this if we haven't done it class)
Who is the character?
What happened? Does he see the fire?
What's the backstory? What happens next?
What point of view would make the story most interesting? What are the possibilities?
Walter Mitty Warm-up
Write your own series of scenes in which a character alternates between a boring reality and an active fantasy life.
Have the character day dream in between ordinary activities.
Call it the "Secret Life of ___________"
First Day Writing Questions
In a paragraph or two, describe yourself as a writer. Read the following questions and respond in writing.
• Where are you as a writer?
• Talk about your strengths and weaknesses?
• What do you know about the writing process?
• What do teachers or other people tend to say about your writing?
• What kinds of writing do you like to read? What do you like to write?
• What would you like to work on?
• Explain your hopes and fears for this class and school year—especially in terms of writing.