Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Writing Starter #61
I think doing these writing starters everyday really helped me with me creativity. Often I feel like the hardest part about writing is just finding something to write about. They offer just enough of an idea to get me started but are left open enough that I can be creative, and even inspire me to start writing about other things. This was especially the case when we were writing poetry. When I first learned that we would be writing poetry, I was terrified, because I had no idea where I would even start with poetry. But the writing starters helped ease me in to writing poetry and gave me ideas of what to write about. I found this experience extremely helpful when I had to start coming up with my own ideas.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Writing Starter #59
Allen: So are you leaving home or coming home?
Nina: (thick Russian accent in all dialogue) What says you?
Allen: Oh, I guess I'll take that as coming home. You're from Russia?
Nina: Yes, Russia is my home.
Allen: So what brought you to America?
Nina: A kind of research.
Allen: Oh, research? What do you do?
Nina: I destroy America.
Allen: You... ummm... what?
Nina: What? what is it?
Allen What did you say you do?
Nina: I burn America to the ground.
Nina: (thick Russian accent in all dialogue) What says you?
Allen: Oh, I guess I'll take that as coming home. You're from Russia?
Nina: Yes, Russia is my home.
Allen: So what brought you to America?
Nina: A kind of research.
Allen: Oh, research? What do you do?
Nina: I destroy America.
Allen: You... ummm... what?
Nina: What? what is it?
Allen What did you say you do?
Nina: I burn America to the ground.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Writing Starter #58
Tim: Well? Do something.
Oliver: What do you mean? Like, open it?
Tim: Sure.
Oliver: What if there's something inside?
Tim: Isn't that kind of the point of opening it?
Oliver: No, I mean, something dangerous.
Tim: Like what?
Oliver: I don't know, a bomb? A gun? Bees that have been uncomfortably condensed into a box and aren't very happy about it?
Tim: I feel like we'd be able to hear bees.
Oliver: Well, still, you see my point.
Tim: Here, I'll open it.
Tim opens the box and stares inside
Oliver: What's inside?
Tim: ...it's...it's a note.
Oliver: What does it say?
Tim: It says... "remember, he led you here."
Oliver: What do you mean? Like, open it?
Tim: Sure.
Oliver: What if there's something inside?
Tim: Isn't that kind of the point of opening it?
Oliver: No, I mean, something dangerous.
Tim: Like what?
Oliver: I don't know, a bomb? A gun? Bees that have been uncomfortably condensed into a box and aren't very happy about it?
Tim: I feel like we'd be able to hear bees.
Oliver: Well, still, you see my point.
Tim: Here, I'll open it.
Tim opens the box and stares inside
Oliver: What's inside?
Tim: ...it's...it's a note.
Oliver: What does it say?
Tim: It says... "remember, he led you here."
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Writing Starter #56
Me: Look, I know there are a lot of factors to consider, but the one movie that satisfies every need in a good movie is Forrest Gump.
Dave: What?! You've got to be kidding.
Me: It's a great movie!
Dave: It's a quotable feel-good nostalgia fest.
Me: Well I didn't even get the nostalgia because I wasn't alive for any of that anyway, and I still loved it.
Dave: I can't even believe we're having this discussion. It is the godfather. End of discussion.
Me: Any reasons to back that up?
Dave: Sure, it's the greatest movie ever made.
Me: That's not a reason, that's the argument!!!
Patrick: Guys, I'm pretty sure it's Argo.
Me: No no no, you're not doing this again. First it was Slumdog Millionaire. Then The Hurt Locker. Now Argo. You can't just pick the best picture winner and call it the best movie ever made.
Patrick: But Argo was so good!
Me: And what happened to Slumdog Millionaire.
Patrick: It didn't even get nominated this year, not good anymore.
Dave: Don't bother, he's hopeless.
Dave: What?! You've got to be kidding.
Me: It's a great movie!
Dave: It's a quotable feel-good nostalgia fest.
Me: Well I didn't even get the nostalgia because I wasn't alive for any of that anyway, and I still loved it.
Dave: I can't even believe we're having this discussion. It is the godfather. End of discussion.
Me: Any reasons to back that up?
Dave: Sure, it's the greatest movie ever made.
Me: That's not a reason, that's the argument!!!
Patrick: Guys, I'm pretty sure it's Argo.
Me: No no no, you're not doing this again. First it was Slumdog Millionaire. Then The Hurt Locker. Now Argo. You can't just pick the best picture winner and call it the best movie ever made.
Patrick: But Argo was so good!
Me: And what happened to Slumdog Millionaire.
Patrick: It didn't even get nominated this year, not good anymore.
Dave: Don't bother, he's hopeless.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
One Act Play
Alvin: 15-18, a high school student who is always looking to help people out, at times to a fault.
Kenny: 15-18, Alvin's enthusiastic friend who often fails to realize the danger in a situation.
Manny: 15-18, a new kid at school with a thick Italian accent whose background is a little mysterious.
Scene: A late fall night in New York, at a dock on the Hudson River. Alvin is talking on his cell phone.
Alvin: Sorry, Kenny I can't tonight. I'm helping out that new kid Manny with a job... I'm not really sure. He never told me. He just asked if I'd help him out with a job and I could use the money so I said yes!... Oh come on, what could I possibly be doing that I'd be uncomfortable with?... Oh ya, I'm sure Manny Anzelmo spends his saturday nights "comforting" old ladies at the retirement home, and decided to rope me in. Besides, we're not even close to the retirement home... He sent me out to that old dock off the Hudson. Ya know now that I think about it, his dad is the owner of Anzelmo shipping and receiving. I see their boats around all the time. We're probably just doing some loading for them or something... Alright, see ya later.
The engine of a truck is heard, headlights shine on Alvin, then go out, the engine stops, and Manny enters.
Manny: Hey Al, you ready to do this?
Alvin: Yeah sure. So what exactly are we doing here?
Manny: Just helpin' out my dad with his work.
Alvin: Ok, that's what I thought.
Manny: I'll go grab one and we'll start unloading.
Manny exits, then enters, dragging a long, heavy, black bag. Alvin glances down to see it.
Alvin: Uhhhhh... wha... wha... what is that? (Stuttering)
Manny: Work! And let me tell you he was a squirmy one. Let's dump this guy!
Alvin: Uhhhh III've gotta make call. My... my mom wants me to pick up dinner!
Alvin runs to the side and pulls out his phone.
Alvin: (hushed) Kenny! Hey! Look, things are a little different then I thought. Look, I'm sorry to even rope you into this because of your dad and all, but this kid's got a bunch of dead bodies!... I know! I think he might be part of the mob! I gotta get out of here! I need you to come swing by in your truck... Kenny? Kenny?! Oh god...
Manny: Hey what's the hold up? Mama can't decide if she wants barbecue sauce?
Alvin: There were... uhhh... a lot of side options, and she was considering potato wedges even though--
Manny: I don't care. Will ya just help me already?
Alvin: Yeah... listen Manny... I'm not sure this kinda thing is exactly--
Manny: Hey! Who's that over there?!
Kenny enters
Kenny: Hey guys, what's goin' on?
Manny pulls out a gun
Manny: You got 2 seconds to tell me who you are and what you're doing here before I blow your head off!!!
Kenny: Ahhh please don't shoot! I'm here to help! I'm Alvin's friend!
Manny: You invited him?!?!
Alvin: What?! No! Why would I do that?!
Manny: Well then why is he here?
Alvin: I don't know!
Kenny: Hey, it just sounded like fun, I thought I could help you guys out.
Manny slowly drops his gun
Manny: (Surprisingly upbeat) Well then let's get crackin'! Gimme a hand new guy!
Kenny: It's Kenny.
The two grab the first body and hurl it offstage. Manny exits to get another.
Alvin: Dude! What are you doing here?!
Kenny: I'm here to help!
Alvin: What do you mean you're here to help?! This guy almost shot you!
Kenny: Oh please, he was never gonna shoot me. Does he really look like a killer to you?
Alvin: He killed all of those guys!
Kenny: Huh, yeah I guess he did.
Alvin: Why did you come here in the first place?
Kenny: Are you kidding? You called me and said you're helping this new Italian kid unload a bunch of dead bodies! That sounds like the mob to me, and I gotta get in on that.
Alvin: This guy's a psychopath!
Kenny: What? Noooo. Just a murderer! And a disposer of corpses. Like us!
Alvin: This isn't what we do, Kenny! We live in a suburb! We are not part of the mob! For God's sake, what would your dad say?
Kenny: (intense, grabbing Alvin by the neck of his shirt) Don't you dare bring my dad in to this! (let's go, relaxes slightly) Sorry. (pause) But my dad made his decisions. He wasn't a very smart guy. And just because he couldn't handle a little danger doesn't mean I can't.
Manny: (from offstage) Al, Kenny, come gimme a hand, I got a big guy over here.
Alvin: Look, we'll just politely tell him that we can't be a part of this.
Kenny: What? No!
Manny enters
Manny: Hey, what's the hold up? I need some help with fat albert over here.
Alvin: Listen, Manny, I think there's been a bit of a misunderstanding here. You see, we're not really the type of guys who are suited for this line of work.
Manny: What? No, you're fine in what you're wearing. Ya know ya don't have to go in the water right? God, why does everyone always think ya gotta jump in with them?
Alvin: No, see, I think we're misunderstanding each other here. What I'm trying to say is that--
Kenny: What my friend here is trying to say is that we are extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with you!
Alvin: ...excuse us for a second.
(hushed and to the side)
Alvin: What was that?!
Kenny: I'm not letting you ruin this for me Alvin.
Alvin: You're not a criminal Kenny! You're going to get arrested, if not killed!
Kenny: I'm not saying I wanna be a hit man. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! The mob is a powerful organization and I'd really rather have them on my side. Let's just not burn any bridges, alright?
Alvin: What about dead bodies, huh? Is it ok to burn those? Or maybe evidence, or homes, or hospitals? This is some sketchy stuff!
Kenny: Maybe you just aren't mature enough to handle it. But I am! If you wanna run away like a little boy then by all means be my guest. But I've dealt with death. It's a part of my life. And I'd much prefer my wife and kids to have a killer for a father than have a police officer knock on their door and tell them they found their dad floating in a river.
Lights and sirens come from offstage
Manny: Cops? What the hell is this? (turns to Kenny) You set me up! You're a snitch, you set me up! I knew!
Kenny: (panicked) What?! No, of course I didn't! I would ne--
Manny pulls out his gun and shoots Kenny in the head
Alvin: You bastard!
Alvin charges at Manny immediately, knocking him to the ground, and beats him while beginning to sob. As he does, gunshots come from offstage and Alvin falls over, dead.
The end.
Kenny: 15-18, Alvin's enthusiastic friend who often fails to realize the danger in a situation.
Manny: 15-18, a new kid at school with a thick Italian accent whose background is a little mysterious.
Scene: A late fall night in New York, at a dock on the Hudson River. Alvin is talking on his cell phone.
Alvin: Sorry, Kenny I can't tonight. I'm helping out that new kid Manny with a job... I'm not really sure. He never told me. He just asked if I'd help him out with a job and I could use the money so I said yes!... Oh come on, what could I possibly be doing that I'd be uncomfortable with?... Oh ya, I'm sure Manny Anzelmo spends his saturday nights "comforting" old ladies at the retirement home, and decided to rope me in. Besides, we're not even close to the retirement home... He sent me out to that old dock off the Hudson. Ya know now that I think about it, his dad is the owner of Anzelmo shipping and receiving. I see their boats around all the time. We're probably just doing some loading for them or something... Alright, see ya later.
The engine of a truck is heard, headlights shine on Alvin, then go out, the engine stops, and Manny enters.
Manny: Hey Al, you ready to do this?
Alvin: Yeah sure. So what exactly are we doing here?
Manny: Just helpin' out my dad with his work.
Alvin: Ok, that's what I thought.
Manny: I'll go grab one and we'll start unloading.
Manny exits, then enters, dragging a long, heavy, black bag. Alvin glances down to see it.
Alvin: Uhhhhh... wha... wha... what is that? (Stuttering)
Manny: Work! And let me tell you he was a squirmy one. Let's dump this guy!
Alvin: Uhhhh III've gotta make call. My... my mom wants me to pick up dinner!
Alvin runs to the side and pulls out his phone.
Alvin: (hushed) Kenny! Hey! Look, things are a little different then I thought. Look, I'm sorry to even rope you into this because of your dad and all, but this kid's got a bunch of dead bodies!... I know! I think he might be part of the mob! I gotta get out of here! I need you to come swing by in your truck... Kenny? Kenny?! Oh god...
Manny: Hey what's the hold up? Mama can't decide if she wants barbecue sauce?
Alvin: There were... uhhh... a lot of side options, and she was considering potato wedges even though--
Manny: I don't care. Will ya just help me already?
Alvin: Yeah... listen Manny... I'm not sure this kinda thing is exactly--
Manny: Hey! Who's that over there?!
Kenny enters
Kenny: Hey guys, what's goin' on?
Manny pulls out a gun
Manny: You got 2 seconds to tell me who you are and what you're doing here before I blow your head off!!!
Kenny: Ahhh please don't shoot! I'm here to help! I'm Alvin's friend!
Manny: You invited him?!?!
Alvin: What?! No! Why would I do that?!
Manny: Well then why is he here?
Alvin: I don't know!
Kenny: Hey, it just sounded like fun, I thought I could help you guys out.
Manny slowly drops his gun
Manny: (Surprisingly upbeat) Well then let's get crackin'! Gimme a hand new guy!
Kenny: It's Kenny.
The two grab the first body and hurl it offstage. Manny exits to get another.
Alvin: Dude! What are you doing here?!
Kenny: I'm here to help!
Alvin: What do you mean you're here to help?! This guy almost shot you!
Kenny: Oh please, he was never gonna shoot me. Does he really look like a killer to you?
Alvin: He killed all of those guys!
Kenny: Huh, yeah I guess he did.
Alvin: Why did you come here in the first place?
Kenny: Are you kidding? You called me and said you're helping this new Italian kid unload a bunch of dead bodies! That sounds like the mob to me, and I gotta get in on that.
Alvin: This guy's a psychopath!
Kenny: What? Noooo. Just a murderer! And a disposer of corpses. Like us!
Alvin: This isn't what we do, Kenny! We live in a suburb! We are not part of the mob! For God's sake, what would your dad say?
Kenny: (intense, grabbing Alvin by the neck of his shirt) Don't you dare bring my dad in to this! (let's go, relaxes slightly) Sorry. (pause) But my dad made his decisions. He wasn't a very smart guy. And just because he couldn't handle a little danger doesn't mean I can't.
Manny: (from offstage) Al, Kenny, come gimme a hand, I got a big guy over here.
Alvin: Look, we'll just politely tell him that we can't be a part of this.
Kenny: What? No!
Manny enters
Manny: Hey, what's the hold up? I need some help with fat albert over here.
Alvin: Listen, Manny, I think there's been a bit of a misunderstanding here. You see, we're not really the type of guys who are suited for this line of work.
Manny: What? No, you're fine in what you're wearing. Ya know ya don't have to go in the water right? God, why does everyone always think ya gotta jump in with them?
Alvin: No, see, I think we're misunderstanding each other here. What I'm trying to say is that--
Kenny: What my friend here is trying to say is that we are extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with you!
Alvin: ...excuse us for a second.
(hushed and to the side)
Alvin: What was that?!
Kenny: I'm not letting you ruin this for me Alvin.
Alvin: You're not a criminal Kenny! You're going to get arrested, if not killed!
Kenny: I'm not saying I wanna be a hit man. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! The mob is a powerful organization and I'd really rather have them on my side. Let's just not burn any bridges, alright?
Alvin: What about dead bodies, huh? Is it ok to burn those? Or maybe evidence, or homes, or hospitals? This is some sketchy stuff!
Kenny: Maybe you just aren't mature enough to handle it. But I am! If you wanna run away like a little boy then by all means be my guest. But I've dealt with death. It's a part of my life. And I'd much prefer my wife and kids to have a killer for a father than have a police officer knock on their door and tell them they found their dad floating in a river.
Lights and sirens come from offstage
Manny: Cops? What the hell is this? (turns to Kenny) You set me up! You're a snitch, you set me up! I knew!
Kenny: (panicked) What?! No, of course I didn't! I would ne--
Manny pulls out his gun and shoots Kenny in the head
Alvin: You bastard!
Alvin charges at Manny immediately, knocking him to the ground, and beats him while beginning to sob. As he does, gunshots come from offstage and Alvin falls over, dead.
The end.
Writing Starter #55
Scene: A teacher's room in the middle of the day, a pouting, bored high school student named Chris sits back in his chair away from his lunch while the strict Mr. Ferrell eats his sandwich.
Chris: I bet you think I'm enjoying this. I'm not!
Mr. Ferrell: Now, why would I ever think you would enjoy this?
Chris: Huh?
Mr. Ferrell: Look, it's no secret you don't like me, and I'm sure if you had the choice you would much rather be in the lunchroom with all of your friends right now.
Chris: But... I bet you think that any student would be lucky to get one-on-one time with you... ya know, because you have such a huge ego.
Mr. Ferrell: chuckling, I'm sure you get enough of me in class every day.
Chris: Well... ya I do! Too much! But how do you even know that?!
Mr. Ferrell: How do I know that? How do I know that after screaming at you for half a period every day for not doing your homework, and then staring you down the rest to try to get you to start on that night's, that you're not exactly aching to spend more time with me?
Chris: So... you know you're a jerk?
Mr. Ferrell: I'm not a jerk, Chris. Look, I know from your perspective it comes off like that, but I try to help my kids out. In an ideal world we could be best friends and you would turn in your homework everyday and every problem would be done correctly. But if you have to hate me in order for me to be able to teach you anything, I'll gladly sacrifice the friendship.
Chris: I bet you think I'm enjoying this. I'm not!
Mr. Ferrell: Now, why would I ever think you would enjoy this?
Chris: Huh?
Mr. Ferrell: Look, it's no secret you don't like me, and I'm sure if you had the choice you would much rather be in the lunchroom with all of your friends right now.
Chris: But... I bet you think that any student would be lucky to get one-on-one time with you... ya know, because you have such a huge ego.
Mr. Ferrell: chuckling, I'm sure you get enough of me in class every day.
Chris: Well... ya I do! Too much! But how do you even know that?!
Mr. Ferrell: How do I know that? How do I know that after screaming at you for half a period every day for not doing your homework, and then staring you down the rest to try to get you to start on that night's, that you're not exactly aching to spend more time with me?
Chris: So... you know you're a jerk?
Mr. Ferrell: I'm not a jerk, Chris. Look, I know from your perspective it comes off like that, but I try to help my kids out. In an ideal world we could be best friends and you would turn in your homework everyday and every problem would be done correctly. But if you have to hate me in order for me to be able to teach you anything, I'll gladly sacrifice the friendship.
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