Pile of Pics

by Rosemary
(UK)

Having taught creative writing since 1983, I find students respond to colourful/atmospheric photos cut out of mags such as cottages, lakes, castles, swimming pools, adults and children etc.

The exercise goes as follows: each student chooses one image from a pile of pics (which will all be similar, e.g. fairgrounds.)

Then I give them a simple opening phrase which might be, 'It was almost dusk ..) Or they can just describe the pic to get them going.

After writing for 15 minutes they will all produce something different .. and brilliant! Some have evolved into saleable mag stories. (Note: the common phrase will be changed during 'polishing.')