Aimee Rivas

Andrea Malouf

ENGL 2250-501

Imaginative Writing

Summer 2019

Try This Journal:

Prompts from “Imaginative Writing: The Elements of Craft - Fourth Edition, By
Janet Burroway

 Week 1:

Try This 3.8 (pg. 61): Write a speech in which a character strings together a
bunch of cliches or jargon phrases. Let the cliches characterize. However, be
sure you have some sympathy for the character.

“Hello Ladies and Gentlemen. I’m honored to be here today in front of all of you
to commemorate the celebration of our family’s achievements. Time really does
fly when you’re having fun. We were just mowing lawns without a care in the
world. It was almost a spur in the moment, but working everyday on our
community’s lawns felt like an eternity, but the mayor noticed us. He said we
were, “a diamond in the rough” of our community’s service, and we were over
the moon to hear that he wanted to congratulate us! At first, I didn’t want to read
between the lines, you know, just in case this was some joke or something.
There were some naysayers who were warning me like, “calm before the storm,”
you know- However, my lovely wife, who I am head over heels for, let me tell
you, reminded me to, “put my chin up,” and, “what goes around comes around.”
So I’m standing before all of you today to tell you all to contribute to your
community, no matter how small. Look at me, I’m a testament for, “when life
gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Thank you all, and have a good day!”

 Week 2:

Try This 4.3 (pg. 99): Sketch up a character- no more than two or three focused
details. Then pick a line below and write a monologue in that character’s voice.

Joss- Adult male, very tall, hanging around Wednesday to monitor her while
Teacher is discussing with a higher council his proposition with her.

We decided to lay low and enjoy what we could of the rest of the evening at the
movie theaters watching Terminator 2. I’m guessing she hasn’t watched too
many movies at a theater- she was a little caught off guard by the lights
dimming, but immediately lit up when the trailers started. I smiled, but my mind
was wandering back to those gangsters, and Teacher talking to Wednesday.
Why the heck were they wigg’n out over us. Well, over Wednesday. She looked
exhausted from earlier, but throughly enjoying the movie. I sat back and tried to
enjoy the movie too.

Well, that was all of my bills, I thought after we left the movies. It looked like all of
the popcorn and concession treats gave Wednesday a second wind, and she
was already pressing her face against the shop windows. The light coming off of
the store made her shine.

 Week 3:

Try This 6.3 (pg. 172) Write a poem about a death, a breakup, a divorce, a
quarrel, or leaving a house. Find some small aspect of the disconnection.

Death is an event I’ve skipped

Breakup is a pleasantry I’ve dipped.

I can’t even fathom a divorce

A quarrel is closer, and to me, is worse.

I haven’t left the house, which is fine.

Everyone’s happy, and the decision is mine.

I suppose I’m blessed to be surrounded by love;

Because what I can say, is I’ve haven’t seen either

Neither.

Nope, none of the above.

 Week 4:

Try This 10.4 (pg. 304): Make a list of terms to any subject you know well- 20 to
30 words- Find alliteration, consonance, assonance, rhyme, and off-rhyme.
Write an ode to the subject of your list, being aware of these sounds and the
pattern they make.

Board Games I have or like:

Uno Phase 10 5 Second Rule

Pictionary Apples to Apples Mastermind

Battleship Clue Sorry!

Game of Things Pit Trivial Pursuit

Ticket To Ride Settlers of Catan Suspicion

Schmovie Funemployed The Chameleon

Taboo Say Anything Risk

Cards Against Humanity Sheriff of Nottingham Yahtzee

Alliteration: Apples to Apples / Assonance: Pit, Risk / Consonance: Suspicion,

Pictionary/ Rhyme: Clue, Taboo / Off Rhyme: Yahtzee, Schmovie

 Week 5:

Try This 11.2 (pg. 333): Take any passage of fiction or memoir in your journal and
imagine it onstage-

Where are we? We’re in a district like plaza.

Single adjective to describe the atmosphere. Adventurous (open to something

new.)

Single color setting most projects. Dark blue.

What is the weather? It’s a little cool; but the air is humid.

What time of year? 1990s, Florida.

What time of day? Late evening.

Name five objects to be found there. How will two of them be important to the
action? Street lamps, tables and chairs, meat food stand, stores around the
corners, rose bush. The food stand and rose bush would come into play as the
characters settle at the food stand to eat after a valentine’s day mix up, and one
picks a rose and gives it to them to make up for it.

 Week 6:

Complete short outline for a graphic nonfiction:

My nonfiction Digital story assignment outline-

-Introduction of 2018

-School was good, I got my learner’s permit, promotion at work on the horizon

-Letter of interest, resume, try out for interview

-Do not get promotion

-Try out for another new opening

-Do not get promotion

-Work hard on my driving skills, my work ethic

-Ultimate interview

-Passed up for promotion

-Fail driver’s test

-Completely devastated

-Trial and error for the following months

-Why haven’t I given up?

-I do not give up!

-Finally pass my driver’s test

-New goals for life, but stick around at work

-2019 review so far

-Graduated, new car, finally got promoted

-Happy and reformed

 Week 7:

Try This 1.2 (pg. 8): List to make a list

Things to make lists of-

1. Movies to buy

2. Video games to buy

3. Board games to buy

4. Drawings to draw

5. Monthly payments/budgets

6. Qualities and values

7. Work notes/ideas

8. List of my interests

9. Bucket list

6. Having a strong sense of values is extremely important to building your

character. You won’t become flip-floppy in tight situations. You’ll find a path is
laid out for you a lot easier than otherwise. One value I particularly enjoy is
humor. If a day goes by without laughter, then that day is wasted.

1. Movies are the second most involved event that suspend disbelief.

2. Video games are the first.

3. Board games float somewhere between the two.

4. Drawing is the equivalent to note jotting in a journal, but better.

5. Budgeting is easy, until you find that buy 2 get 1 free deal...

7. Work hard with hardworking notes!

8. I have so many interests, I had to put them down on a list!

9. Before I die, I pray that I might meet you one last time.