Learn2Write

What makes you remember a person that you encountered? It's mostly the way they talk and express themselves, along with the unspoken signals (communication without words), that stick in your memory. Dialogue is your secret weapon to make them unforgettable. Likewise, what makes you connect to a particular story or character—yes, it’s the way the characters communicate through dialogue.

In this article, let’s look at tips to create interesting dialogue for your characters and, also, how to use dialogue to create a particular effect in a story.

1. Eavesdrop to create real-time dialogue:

Ever caught a bit of conversation while waiting in line at the ice cream truck or ticket counter? That's pure dialogue gold! Listen to how people talk, the jokes they crack, how fear shows in their shaky voices and the secrets they carefully reveal (in simple terms, how they express themselves). Tuning into these conversations helps you see the many ways people express themselves, making your understanding of communication richer. This will help you create characters who speak like real people.

2. Mix and match to move the story forward, set the tone and create atmosphere:

Consider mixing and matching personalities in your story.

Let’s imagine you have a friend who's a comic relief (like Ron from the Harry Potter series) and another who's wise and mysterious (like Elsa from Frozen). Let’s check an example of blending different traits:

Ron suggested, "Oi, Elsa! What if we plan a surprise treasure hunt in the enchanted forest? It sounds exciting, with clues hidden in ancient trees and magical creatures leading the way!"

Elsa affirmed, "Ron, that's a delightful idea. Let's ensure each clue echoes the forest's wisdom, and we'll let the magic guide us on this enchanting journey. The trees will share their secrets with those who seek them."

Ron continued, "But, you know, we've got to be careful. Enchanted forests can be a bit tricky, and who knows what kind of creatures we might run into. Wouldn't want to end up in a mess, now, would we?"

Here, Ron's energetic proposal introduces the concept of a surprise treasure hunt with a hint of caution, setting the stage for a true adventure, while Elsa's calm response suggests a deeper connection to the forest and hints at a mystical quest. Ron's tone gives the hint of a thrilling treasure hunt ahead while Elsa’s tone inserts a mystery to the forest setting.

3. The power of pauses:

Just like the words mean a lot in a dialogue, pauses and unsaid words too can mean a lot. So, use them wisely! A well-timed pause can be as powerful as a superhero's punch!

Ron grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief, "And imagine... [Pause] the look on everyone's faces when they discover that we found the hidden treasure!"

Elsa smiled but commented, “I actually wouldn’t want that. I…I’d rather keep it a secret.”

Like pauses, most actions can speak louder than words in your story. Imagine two friends’ tummies bumping after a victorious game. Let your characters wink, shrug or twirl with joy to add a burst of energy to your dialogue.

5. Spice it up with slang:

Just like a secret code that only you and your friends understand, create your characters' own language. It could be a special catchphrase, a goofy word, or even a unique way of saying 'hello.' This adds flavour to your story, making it uniquely yours.

Eg: Ron, being his typical goofy self, would say "Blimey beans!" whenever he is excited about something or simply wants to swear. Meanwhile, Elsa could exclaim "frostalicious" when she finds something magical. By repeating these dialogues and expressing the way they say these catch phrases, the characters and their words stick with us.

6. Sneaky dialogue to create suspense:

To move the story forward in an engaging manner, you need to create suspense or show an element of foreshadowing. This can be created using unanswered questions, contrasting emotions and hinting at character reactions. Consider these suggestions:

Ron asked surprised, "Why wouldn’t you want everyone to know? What aren't you telling me?"

Elsa replied sternly, “Have you ever wondered why the treasure is kept a secret for so long? There should be a reason, right?

In short, try to get inspired by existing characters and imagine them with different names in your stories. Think about their personalities and create dialogues using those traits. It adds a fun twist to your own unique tale. And there you have it. You now know how to let your characters talk, laugh and surprise each other.

In conclusion, no one needs a guidebook to make their characters' words enchanting. By eavesdropping on real conversations, mixing and matching personalities and adding a splash of your secret language, you're all set to create dialogues that make your stories come alive. Also, don't forget the power of pauses! So, are you ready to try writing a short dialogue between two characters? What would they be talking about? How would their words show their personalities? Experiment and let your story shine through your character’s voices!

We're in the new year, and let's be real—some resolutions might have done a little disappearing act by now. But hey, no judgment here! Let’s talk about one kind of resolution to pursue that is more forgiving and way more exciting –mind mapping! It's not about setting hard rules; it's about exploring your thoughts and ideas in a free-spirited way. Imagine your brain throwing a colourful party, and every idea is invited! Isn’t it a cool way to keep your writing (or any daily activity) fresh and exciting? So, instead of feeling all stuck with resolutions, let's try something that feels like an adventure!

Let’s check out how we can use mind mapping to tell the story of Aladdin through the eyes of the Genie from the lamp.

Step 1: Ideas

Begin with a simple example: set aside dedicated time to map out the key elements of your story. Start with the core theme or concept in the centre. Let's say your idea is a mysterious island. Branch out with subtopics like unique creatures with different personalities, hidden flashbacks and backgrounds, or even the challenges your characters will face.

Imagine our mind map titled "Genie's Twist on Aladdin." Subtopics burst forth like "Genie's Comedy Show During Wishes" and "Genie's Coffee Breaks Inside the Lamp." These quirky ideas form the foundation for a unique Genie-centric adventure.

As you map, you'll find that connections emerge locally, helping you identify potential plot holes, develop multi-dimensional characters, and ensure that the rules of your fantastical world remain consistent.

Step 2: Characters.

Now, let's breathe life into your characters. Till now the genie was a background character. You could bring him as the main character by using branches to showcase his quirks, like a secret love for baking magical cookies or even his passion for conveying jokes. Likewise, create branches for each character, jotting down their personalities, background and aspirations from the eye of the genie.

Step 3: Plot Twists and Turns

Time to add some spice! Extend branches to outline the major plot points. What challenges will the characters face, and how will they grow? Think of a reason why the genie chooses to follow Aladdin and not Jafar. What mental turmoil would the genie face as he strives to stay true to his conscience?

Step 4: Setting the Scene

Your story needs a backdrop as vivid as the characters. Create branches for different settings, describing the sights, sounds and smells. How would you visualise the cave (as shimmering as liquid gold, contrast the space within the lamp as compared to the Agrabah marketplace (murmuring melodies/ dazzling costumes/ intricate patterns etc.).

Step 5: Tying it Together

As your mind map blossoms, you'll notice connections forming naturally. Genie's love for stand-up comedy ties into Aladdin's wishes, injecting humour into each magical moment. His desire for freedom interlaces with Jasmine's yearning for independence. Thus, your whole story can be harmonised with their shared dreams and aspirations.

Step 6: Translating to Words

With your mind map as the guiding star, start translating your ideas into words. Each branch becomes a chapter, and the connections between them ensure a fluid narrative.

There you go. You now have the classic from a different perspective. Likewise, how many stories can you retell from different perspectives? Could you try telling the story of Cinderella through the eyes of the stepmother or even from the lost slipper’s perspective?

Unlike resolutions that sometimes feel like a grumpy teacher, mind mapping is your friend in need. It's flexible, fun and all about embracing the journey, not just reaching the destination. Plus, it's way more forgiving if you decide to change things up! Thus, with mind mapping let there be no limit to your creative escapades this New Year.

Hello there! Welcome to the fascinating world of stories. Today, we'll learn about an incredible writing method called flashback, which can add a lot of depth and essence to your story. 

Have you ever come across a movie or a book that takes you back in time to show you an event that occurred in the past? That's a flashback. It's a technique of telling a story that transports the reader or viewer to a specific moment or event in time. But how can you effectively include a flashback scene without causing confusion for your readers? This blog has all the answers you seek.

Positioning Flashback Scenes in your Story

The key is to position the flashback after a few scenes in your story's present time. Once the flashback is over, your readers will be able to recognise where the present-time narration left off. Consider it like a movie that alternates between the past and the present. It's simple to follow because the present-day scenes serve as anchors, reminding us where we are in the story.

For example, in her Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling employs flashbacks to reveal important information about the characters' backstories. We see a flashback to Snape's childhood in the fifth book, ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,’ which helps to explain his intentions and actions. The author informs the reader when the flashback begins and ends by inserting it after a few scenes in the present-day story.  This is just the tip of the iceberg; let's dive in and learn more about how to use this technique to craft a memorable story!

The Trigger

The incident or circumstance that leads to the flashback is referred to as a trigger. It can be compared to a key that opens the door to the past. The trigger can be a smell, a sound, a sight or a feeling. Anything that reminds the character of a past incident can set off a flashback.

Examples: a) The protagonist witnesses an accident, which immediately triggers horrible memories within the character, and the hero is transported to his past, where he may have been involved in a terrible accident and may have suffered the loss of loved ones.

b) When the main character hears a song on the radio, which she used to listen to with her best friend, it reminds her of their lost friendship as well as the happy times they shared.

Understanding Your Characters' Past Traumas and Fears

Imagine reading a book about a valiant soldier who appears to be invincible in the face of danger. However, the author abruptly transports you to a memory that alters everything. You discover that the soldier was just a child when his country was invaded and plundered by the enemy army. This moving flashback scene explains why the soldier is so brave and committed to protecting his country. The author's exploration of this memory gives the character depth and complexity, making the story more exciting and captivating. So, if you're writing a story with a flashback scene, make sure to vividly describe why this memory is so important to your character and how it has profoundly affected their life.

Bringing Characters Back to the Present Using Sensory Triggers

Let's imagine a young girl lost in a daydream about the past, reliving a happy memory of playing with her beloved pet dog in their garden. Suddenly, a loud noise startles her back to reality— the thunder! Alternatively, her mother's voice calling her for dinner might bring her back to the present. As an author, you can use these sensory triggers to snap your character out of the reverie and back to the present, keeping the story moving forward. While flashbacks are an excellent way to tell a story, it's equally important to ground your readers in the present. So, whenever you include a flashback scene, remember to bring your character back to the present with a sensory trigger that engages your readers and keeps the story flowing.

Flashback Method in Children's Books and Movies

One well-known example of a children's movie that uses flashbacks is Pixar's ‘Up,’ which follows an elderly man named Carl on a journey to fulfil his lifelong dream of travelling to South America. The movie starts with a flashback to Carl's childhood, when he met and fell in love with his wife, Ellie. This sequence establishes the story's emotional core and explains why Carl is so motivated to realise their shared dream. Another example is ‘The Lion King,’ in which a young Simba recollects his father's teachings, which he later utilises to become the king he was destined to be. Shel Silverstein's ‘The Giving Tree’ is another children's book which applies flashbacks to tell the tale.

Now it's your turn to write a flashback story! Choose an interesting event from your own life or imagine a character and a scenario that piques your interest, and let your imagination run wild.

Good luck with your writing!

Of all the genres of writing in any language, the most easily recognisable and widely used is perhaps the short story. A person’s creativity can be expressed through the various pathways it provides: dialogues, descriptions, interesting characterisations, exciting narration, action scenes, etc.    

From an examination point of view, it is easy, however, to confuse a short story with its cousin, say a narration of an event or a recount. They may contain similar elements. But, while a short story may have all the elements of a recount, the vice versa is not necessarily true. This is where many pupils lose marks. They begin in an interesting manner and have a memorable ending. But the actual telling of the story doesn’t happen well. They miss the plot (pun intended).

A plot is a sequence of events that occurs from the beginning to the end of a story. It tells how the story progresses. It makes up the story arc. In other words, a plot is the story in essence.

There are six elements to any kind of plot:

1. Introduction or Exposition:

The beginning or the exposition is the introduction to the story. It is very important to have this in the story because you will be letting the readers know who the main characters are and where the story is happening. Without it, the reader will be fumbling in the dark, unable to make head or tail of the story.

2.  Conflict or Problem:

Without a problem to solve, what are the characters doing in the story? If they are just going about their business in their lives, then that is no longer a short story. The story is a narration of some events that happened. There needs to be a problem that the characters overcome to be able to go about their regular lives. The conflict is a very important element of a story as that is the reason the rest of the story exists.

Many of you may be confusing a short story with a recollection of a particular time. For example, a fun time at the beach is a recount of a memorable family holiday and not necessarily a short story unless there is a problem that gets solved at the end. So, remember that the next time you write a story!

 3. Rising Action:

The rising actions of a story are the events that complicate the problem or arise due to it. Once the conflict has been introduced, there will be events that ensue thereafter and the characters will get busy trying to solve it. Before they come to the high point or the climax of the story, there will be progressive complications that they need to wade through. The rising action is literally everything that happens before the climax.

4. Climax or High Point:

The climax or the point of suspense of a story is the point where the efforts of the main characters’ endeavour bear fruit. This is the peak of the story where the characters will either solve the problem or give up finding the solution. (Remember, not all conflicts of stories have solutions) This is the highest point of suspense in the story which will keep the readers at the edge of their seats thinking, ‘Will they or won’t they.’ The characters’ actions and choices drive the outcome of the story. You must use every ounce of creativity here to create the necessary suspense.

 5. Falling Action:

Once the problem has been dealt with, the tension in the story will begin to loosen. Things will begin to go back to being what they were. Temperatures will fall and the various questions that arose during the course of the story would have been answered. At this point, the loose ends will be tied. This is the best time to have a look through your story one last time and provide links and tie-ups with parts that didn’t fit anywhere.

6. Denouement or Conclusion:

This is the concluding part of the story. The ‘normal’ needs to be re-established at this point. However, this new ‘normal’ will also include the experiences that your characters went through and the permanent changes that took place to the setting of the story. It will be the ‘new normal.’ It is also an emotional wrapping up by the readers after having known your characters.

But it is also important to keep in mind that the conclusion of a story is not necessarily always happy or satisfactory. Some stories end in tragedy and some stories do not provide a solution to the conflict. In such cases, the readers need to accept the way things are, because, after all, life isn’t always hunky-dory, is it?

You must remember to create a convincing conflict or a problem that gets a believable solution at the end. Even if it is a fantasy story with dragons or talking objects, the ending should be related to the original conflict. It must answer the problem that the story began with. 

A story will most definitely have a protagonist or a hero. We have discussed how to characterise one in an earlier essay. He/she drives the plot and moves the story forward. But a good story writer must not make things easy for the hero. Creativity and flair for storytelling lies in making things challenging so that the conclusion, when reached, feels earned and deserved.

The harder the exam, the sweeter the reward feels, doesn’t it? These challenges are often in the form of villains or antagonists that are introduced to keep things interesting. One would imagine that the main motive of a majority of these malcontents is merely to be an impediment in the lives of our immaculate heroes. But it is a bit deeper than that.

An important question arises here: why are the villains doing what they are doing? This usually forms the ‘falling action’ or the ‘resolution’ part of the story mountain. The reader here gets all the answers that had come up during the course of the story, and receiving the needed answers provides a catharsis or a sense of relief to them. Another question forms an equally compelling part of the story: how do you go about portraying a villain? In simple words, how do you know a villain is a villain?

1.    An obvious villainous look

Some authors provide physical attributes to their antagonists that leave no doubt in the readers’ minds that they will be actively involved in ensuring the lead character fails in his or her quest. Severus Snape’s greasy hair, pale sallow skin and cold dead eyes; Freddy Krueger’s burnt skin and knife-like nails; Captain Hook’s, well, hook instead of a hand. All these fictional villains seem to have an obvious physical appearance that makes it very clear that they will play the part of an antagonist in their stories. Writers use such physical descriptions of their villains to make a very solid stand that they are the main antagonists in the stories. They even look evil!

Think of interesting and creative ways to portray them in your writing. How evil can you make your villain look in your story? Why not have a competition among your classmates on who can create the most evil-looking villain ever?

2.    Not so obvious

You and I probably resemble the next two people walking by on a street, coat and scarf, a bag in hand, walking hurriedly with a purpose, to get somewhere on time, preoccupied minds, always thinking of the next mundane thing. Among these nondescript populous may lie a highly malignant, motivated and malicious mind who is dead set on only one thing – causing chaos somewhere or on someone. The author will probably describe them as silent and unassuming. No one would be able to guess what is going on in their minds, but these are the dangerous ones to look out for.

Such characters cause the maximum damage because their innocent and regular physical looks encourage others to let their guard down. And that is when they strike. In fact, such revelations are used as a twist in a tale. How would you go about describing such a person? It is tricky, isn’t it?

Harry was glad Paul was there every step of the way while he strived for the top position in the School Council. It was Paul’s idea that Harry stand the election.

Without him, I wouldn’t have gotten even halfway up, thought Harry. I am so glad he is loyal to me. One needs a friend like that.

It was D-day and the final results were going to be announced. The entire school assembled in the hall to hear who had won. Harry crossed his fingers and smiled weakly at Paul who, from across the room, gave him a thumbs-up. And slowly, while Harry watched him, he turned his thumb upside down. His eyes turned menacing as the corners of his mouth lifted into an evil smile and mouthed the words “You’re dead.”

Harry couldn’t take his eyes off him. He was confused. What did Paul mean? And that look! He had never seen that look on him before. Then it hit him. The election. Paul played him. He was not only going to lose. He was going to be humiliated. It was too late now.

In the above extract, the character Paul isn’t described as having any villainous features. He appears to be perfectly regular and a good friend. Only in the end, the reader realises that he was the villain.

Another question that came up earlier was why a villain does what he/she does. Have you ever wondered sometimes why in certain stories an antagonist holds our attention more than the hero of the story? While a hero is easy to draw, their main traits being intelligence, valour, honour and possessing an overall drive of an altruistic need to do good in general, the main reason behind a villain’s villainy varies. That is why they are sometimes more interesting to analyse than straightforward heroes who will always do what is good for everyone. It is a bit ironic that while we want our heroes to be predictable do-gooders, it is actually the antagonist who catches our attention far more keenly.

We can break down such antagonists into two kinds:

3.    Has a motive

Sometimes a character turns villainous because of a grudge they might hold against somebody. Maybe in the past, they felt they were wronged, and that is why they think they are meting out justice by harming others.

I have to, thought Oscar, as he sat at his desk, unconsciously flipping the pages of his maths book. The insult was more than I could take. Jimmy thinks that just because he is popular and helps everyone in their studies, he can insult me like that.

“How ‘bout you, Oscar?” the teacher’s voice painfully pierced his stream of thought.

“Huh?” Oscar looked up.

“Have you done your homework?”

“Yes. Finished…. all the exercises.”

Oscar didn’t hear what the teacher’s response was. He was already lost in his thoughts again, plotting revenge on Jimmy.

Straight motive. Straight dialogues. Straight conflict in the plot. There is no doubt about what the villain wants and what he wants to do. We get to know very well the motive that is driving him.

4.    Has no real motive

And sometimes an antagonist has no apparent motive.

It is just who they are. In the course of such a story, the hero and other characters will leave no stone unturned to find out why someone is doing such horrible things, causing much trouble to not just one person the hero but to everyone in general. Then they learn that there is no one reason behind someone’s misdeeds. It is just who they are. If you are a Hollywood superhero universe fan, you will recall that Alfred from ‘The Dark Knight’ says of the Joker, “Some men just want to watch the world burn.” They are not swayed by any greed or avarice; they aren’t looking for anything in return. They just rejoice in chaos. How do you deal with such a character? How do you appease one? What kind of negotiation or compromise do you come up with when the villain doesn’t want anything from you?

Closer to home, our very own Shakespeare created such a character in Iago in ‘Othello’. Iago’s villainy knew no bounds nor did his motivation, a source. A very prominent literary figure once said that most of the dialogues by this character Iago were just ‘motive hunting of motiveless malignity.’ Apparently, Iago himself didn’t know why he did all those terrible things.

What kind of a story would you write to have such a villain in it? More importantly, how will you describe such a character in your story? The traits of such an antagonist cannot be summed up by just an action or two. One would need the course of an entire story to develop and show the destructive acts of such a person. In fact, when an author creates such a character, they become the main lead of the story and the good guys take a back seat. The story becomes about them.

Now, would you like to write a story with a villain as your main character?

Part 6: Looking out of a car window while travelling

Do you enjoy travelling to a new place? That new and exciting theme park that has recently opened and is situated about a couple of hours from Central London? How about the highly recommended picnic spot by a gushing stream? Imagine a train journey through new towns and villages. Sometimes it is the journey and not the destination that matters. Literally. Would you agree with that?

At times like these, we see a myriad of scenes and feel varied emotions go through us as we not only go on a journey but also experience it. What do you see as you look outside your window? How do you write about it? It is not for nothing that the window seats of a plane or a train are more popular than the ones on the aisles. Each window frame tells a different story to the person looking through it as it creates an assortment of admirable accounts ready to explode into their imagination.

Let’s try to describe an open countryside.

Suddenly we come upon a vast area of open land. The last vestige of an angular imposing concrete structure forgotten a couple of kilometres back, the eyes try to adjust to the long lengths it can finally travel without anything limiting them. The view is so green and so unbridled that one’s brain doesn’t quite believe what it is seeing, partially expecting bricks and mortar to invade the vision like back home. What with the cacophony of traffic as well as the constant interruption of one’s thoughts, the city views really have become the standard of what is usually seen when one looks out of a car while travelling. This is completely different now. Small specks of huts seem to appear as blurred smudges only to vanish completely before the brain can decide what they were. Boulders smeared everywhere play hide-an-seek between the trees. While things closer seem to be in a hurry to get out of your sight, the hills in the distance move along with you as you continue onwards. Their smooth ascent and descent in height dance in waves up and down but ever so slightly that you feel they are also moving at the same speed that you are.

Let us talk about the tone of the paragraph above. At first glance, what do you think the author prefers: countryside or city life? It is pretty obvious, isn’t it? With words like cacophony and imposing to describe the city, both words having harsh undertones, while applying words like unbridled and play to the open lands, the countryside is preferable. Do you note the personifications to describe the hills further away? Now, it is obvious that things further away look like they are moving along with us. But how do you go about writing nicely on it? Maybe this is one way of doing it?

Ever taken a train journey at night through a new town? Next time, you could stay awake to have a completely different perspective of the exact same place that looks like a new town at night. How would you describe one?

The sun had set now. The last streak of orange faded into nothing as the world travelled back in time to a black and white movie. The only light streaming down the aisle was a fellow passenger’s who was playing a silent game on her iPad. Turning towards the rectangular window, I continued to spy on the town that seemed to sleep and wake up with the sun. There were hardly any lights on anymore at any window of the houses. A town that was alive only a few minutes back seemed to plunge into darkness at the slight indication of the sun. Because we were travelling through a town, the speed of the train had died down to a fast jog. Jagged eves jutted out from the top of the buildings while softer walls seemed to house their snoozing inhabitants. Shrouded in greyscale, the textures of the roof and walls of the buildings looked like the rough skin of a gigantic rhinoceros. The smooth up and down movement of the train was transferred to this monster as if it were breathing, heaving its chest in the same manner.

Figures of speech galore! Adjectives? Check. Simile, metaphor, personification? Check, check and check. Different sensory descriptions? Done too.

Visual imagery is key to describing something that is rich with resplendent resources. Describe what you see, but do that in a unique way. Come away from common comparisons and boring banter. Your choice of words must be striking. Next time, take your reader on a journey with your words.

Part 5: A Different Perspective

Have you imagined how life would be as someone or something else? Everyone has at some point in time written something from a different perspective. This perspective could be both living as well as non-living. The living ones mainly are animals or birds. The non-living ranges from a stationary car to a light bulb atop a high pole. Let us consider a living being’s perspective, namely a dog.

Everyone loves a dog, don’t they? Those among us who are dog owners are always trying to get into the heads of our pets and understand what they are thinking about. What is really going on in that furry little head of theirs? Those quizzical eyes are forever keeping us flummoxed about their mood and desires. Well, most of the time, they want treats; now that is easy to guess! But imagine writing about a dog being in their shoes. What if you could look inside the mind of one of those cute, cuddle-worthy canines even for an hour and collect their curious thoughts?

As a dog, we can write about our adventures, experiences and thoughts. What fun we had at the beach! What a treat the theme park was! How delicious that titbit off the dining table was! Ever imagined when dogs of all sizes and ages are feeling scared? How many of you dog lovers have your dogs cowering under your feet or curling up uncomfortably in their beds at the sound of thunder, or worse, firecrackers? What would be going through your head if you were one?

Could it be something like this?

My ever-active ears picked up on that familiar yet strange sound. He was here, again. The rumble seemed very soft but distinct. I looked over at Penny who seemed engrossed in her drawing. She didn’t seem to hear him. Then, did I imagine it? I admit I have thought about some lip-smacking gravies or biscuits that I swipe off plates when no one is looking. I even have dreams about running on the open grassland at full speed as the wind tickles my Yorkshire terrier furry ears and belly. Penny tells me numerous times that my legs often move vigorously while I sleep. But why on earth will I dream of someone scary like the rumble that is always searching for me like a predator? What did I ever do to him? I am no bigger than a rabbit in size and heart.

Then the sound came again. This time it was unmistakable. With louder explosions. Even Penny looked up from her colouring. Her eyes seemed to scan the ceiling from the right to the left. Then she looked towards where I was, and our eyes met. Her quizzical knitted brows unfurled and turned into wide arcs of realisation as she looked at me. From her eyes as wide as an open window, I knew that the look on my face must have been of pure horror. She saw it. She inhaled sharply in response and before I knew it, my legs leapt up on the bed, over the cushions and into her outstretched arms. She always knew how I felt at such times. I buried my face in the nook of her elbows as she wrapped her arms around my small body. The familiar smell from her was always a source of comfort for me. Hmmm…. butter cookies; she must have been munching on them earlier. Even I wanted one. But wait. I need my pursuer vanquished first.  

Then suddenly the monster that seemed quite far away was suddenly over our house. How did he get here so fast? The entire house shook from his thundering temper as he continued to strike the roof and tried to get in. He caused such loud sounds in anger that the entire sky echoed with it. This time I was sure he would get me. I have been elusive so far and always escaping in the nick of time, but he always seems to know where I am. In every room in the house where I hid it, he appeared, right outside the window. Even when I dug under the pillow, he seemed to find me. There was no relief from his relentless searching, I’m telling you. How did he always know where I was? But this time I was confident that Penny would save me. With her around, I always felt safe. She would tell him to go away and leave me alone.

Are you scared of thunder? What about loud crackers? Small animals are too. But how do they express that to you, the owners? Most of the time they think it is a sign of danger, so they begin shivering out of fear. Even our hands quake when we are scared, don’t they? In the above passage, do you notice the small details that make the thoughts and feelings of the dog even more distinct and feel like they could belong to an actual dog? Very playful yet sensitive to loud noises. They love to eat as well as play around. All those things are also woven into the lines without deviating from the main topic.

Can you see the numerous sensory details that have been incorporated into the paragraphs? For a topic like this where your thoughts and feelings play a key role, you must inundate the reader with as many sensory descriptions as you can. You must have also noticed that an innocent and sweet animal like a dog will not know what thunder or lightning is. For them, any loud sound will indicate some form of danger. That is why we have used personification to describe the loud thundering sound. They are scared mostly because they think they will be harmed.

Now, choose an animal and get writing about their thoughts and feelings!

How do you prefer travelling? Do you choose to sit down and read books that open the doors of the world to you? Do you prefer travelling with friends/family or solo? Is the thought of travelling alone terrifying or liberating? You could never be sure unless you try, could you? But one thing is certain: once you dare to go alone, you would be more vigilant of your surroundings, the time and even other people. By being observant, you could easily write travelogues and walk the readers through your trip with images, personal experiences and genuine emotions.

Like always, these solo trips don’t have to be to far-off geographical destinations; they could be as simple as going to the supermarket, the park or even the local library. And after taking the solo trip, who wouldn’t love to brag about their travel experience? But remember, we need to use something that would help us organise what we went through so that our travelogue will have a smooth flow. This is where a variety of linking words can help you.

In order to tell an impressive story about your solo trip, in the first place, learn to use some ‘linking words’ that help you form a coherent narrative and make your listeners enjoy it as a story. Did you notice the various linking words used here? Listening to someone's daily routine with repeated use of 'then' is tedious: ‘I start my day at...then...then...then...then…’(although there is nothing grammatically wrong with it).

With that being mentioned, how to describe a solo trip to the supermarket?

The just-risen sun shone through my window curtains and cast shadows of doubt on my already troubled mind. I was tired of depending on others to get my school supplies; I always had to wait till my older siblings or parents were available to accompany me. Though I knew the drill: make a list, get ready, take the essentials, cross the road carefully, shop and return safely; I never considered doing it alone. However, as the new day dawned on me with new aspirations to travel solo, I was willing to give it a shot. It’s always the first time that is very hard. But I guess, because of the good weather, my mother allowed me (although reluctantly) to go to the neighbourhood supermarket to buy some fresh fruits and school supplies.

With my bag pack ready, I set out sticking to the lane that I had always travelled, but nothing felt familiar. I was engulfed by a sense of being watched by every person that passed by. The boundary walls looked unusually large and the road seemed to stretch on for miles; I tried to walk tall, as much as my neck and height would allow. Moreover, people eyed me suspiciously fearing that I might be lost or up to no good. Although the sense of being peered upon by millions of eyes from above was overwhelming, I reverted their gapes with a determined stance, a focused stare and a confident smile. I had to take this trip. I had convinced my mind and no speck of doubt would be allowed to creep in. 

 Finally, I reached the traffic light crossing: the only major obstacle that now stood between me and the welcoming doors of the supermarket. Fortunately, there was a large group of commuters who wanted to cross the road along with me. Nobody seemed to notice the fly in the soup as I blended in with the group. As the signal turned green, I was carried along with the wave and safely plodded onto the pavement across the street. The group then disbanded in different directions. I felt elated as I skipped forward to close the gap between my destination and me. I entered as the automatic doors opened up for me.

A gush of cold wind, along with different smells ranging from fresh baked goods and sweet fruit invaded my senses. I was enthralled by the endless aisles of household and grocery items. To check out items from my list, I darted straight to the fruits and vegetable section. I was deluged by the vibrant colours that seemed like eye candy: kiwis, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, cucumbers and others were all in one area of the store. Carefully, I picked a bunch of cherries and felt their springy, smooth flesh; I got my pick. After that, I darted towards the soft, fuzzy skin of peaches; they all looked succulent, but I wasn’t sure whether they would be juicy and ripe inside. I could barely resist having a bite out of these luscious fruits. 

Afterwards, I went to the stationery aisle. Surprisingly, the aisle was jammed with parents and children picking up back-to-school items. Though I would have loved to strip the entire shelf of its colourful and captivating contents, I restrained myself as too many things meant  I had to calculate a lot and balance it out with the money I had. With my shopping done, I entered the checkout lane that wound like a snake. I hated this part the most because of the monotonous, shrill beep the scanner made as it read an item's barcode. At last, my turn came and I was billed out. I stuffed my backpack with my purchases and walked back home the same way I had come. The walls and the lanes didn’t seem weird on the return trip. I reached home and unloaded my backpack and my recount of the day to my parents. My parent’s faces lit up like the morning sun, pleased that their youngest child too could create orbits of her own. 

My trip to the supermarket taught me a valuable lesson: there is nothing a child cannot master if they are willing to observe and wait for their turn to perform. Besides, never take any initiative for granted. In short, it’s ok to be scared, but with one step at a time, you will get the hang of it.

Likewise, when writing a travelogue, you need to ensure that the narration is well structured. Do not exaggerate your thoughts and feelings, but do write in a way that makes your readers a part of your journey. Keeping your narrative chronological with appropriate linking words, interspersing it with genuine feelings and summarising significant events is a good way to stay on track.

Exams can be a nightmare. Even if you had been preparing well for these dreaded days, feelings came be overwhelming when they are upon you. That wretched word ‘Revision’ is a cold, slimy slug that crawls up even an adult’s spine. So, what do you do to overcome all these obstacles and thrive? 

Let’s see some tips and techniques to overcome this maniacal moment that is always sitting on our shoulders. These pointers will help you write any creative writing exam well:

1. Prepare and go through the checklist for different genres:

As you all know by now, you cannot confuse genres in the exam. If you do, straightaway 40% marks are lost.

Whenever you prepare for an exam, you must make a check list for the different genres so that you can quickly revise them before you sit for the exam. Make flash cards for each one. These help while revising as well as practising writing.

2. Have a reliable stock of vocabulary: 

Studying should not only be thorough but also smart. Smart would be to come prepared with all the points on your fingertips. Smart would be to memorise a few wow words that would go with everything. Some words can be used across topics. Commit to memory as many as you can:

aghast, blood-curdling, macabre, ominous, abundance, profusion, maelstrom, bemusement, disorganisation, bewilderment, mystification, ravishing, glamorous, picturesque, myriad, effusive, animated, exuberant, frenzied, impassioned, ruinous, cheerless, drab, dreary, unilluminated, tenebrous, etc.

Can you think of any topic where even one of the following words would not apply?

And of course, don’t forget to learn their meanings as well. A word is useless if you don’t use it correctly.

3. Have a collection of interesting figures of speech ready for use:

Just like useful vocabulary, topics like describing emotions (such as fear or excitement), places (such as a forest or a city street) and the weather (calm or inclement) appear in a wide variety of writings (story, diary, recount, description, etc.). It’s then prudent to learn a few stock expressions that will be used in any situation: 

A chill ran down my spine. (Idiom for fear)

She was frozen in place with the news that she had just received. (Hyperbole for shock)

Mesmerising and magnetic, this myriad of memorable moments will be etched in our minds forever. (Alliteration denoting happiness)

Remember, in any creative piece of writing, at least two places should be vividly described: the setting and the action (accompanied by one’s emotions). They add depth to your writing and a sense of seriousness.

4. No matter what, write for at least fifteen minutes every day:

Write, write, write. There can never be enough of writing practice. Write about a new movie or a show you watched recently. Write about what you expect from the next year. Anything. This will take care of your spellings and punctuation as well. Not to mention, your writing speed will improve, and your imagination will soar. Thoughts will come to you smoothly, and you will not beat around the bush for the next point to write. 

5. Look at old question papers:

These often give you an idea about the type of questions a school sets. Not just that, you become familiar with the weightage of marks for different question types or genres. While looking at the questions, you can practise writing a ‘plan’ for each. This will help in speedy development of ideas and good organisation of points. 

6. Read as much as you can:

Vocabulary, creative ideas and original thoughts all stem from how vastly you have read. You never know when a particularly striking idea or a word that stayed with you would come in use during the exam. Some phrase about friendship must have struck you while reading a Harry Potter, or an idea about how bad luck wreaks havoc in someone’s life may have been difficult to shake off after finishing one book from A Series of Unfortunate Events. If you like science fiction, or action, you could pick up some ideas from Arthur C Clark.

So, with these points in mind, you will find that you are more confident to sit for an exam. Because, confidence is half the battle, isn’t it?