Author: Terry Connelly

Terry Connelly is a retired high school English teacher. She earned her BA and Single Subject Teaching credential from California State University of the East Bay, in Hayward, California. Her short story "The Visitor" was published in the Noyo River Review after winning first place at the Mendocino Coast Writers Conference in 2019. Another short story, "Swept Sway" is in the CWC Literary Review. She taught for 18 years at Newark Memorial High School in Newark, California. She was gifted to work with both College Prep students and those with learning disabilities.

Pet Ownership

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How many people do you know that currently own a pet or have had a pet in the past? I bet it’s a huge number!

People are funny about their pets. They talk to them as if they understand every word they use. They feed them premium food, often times, in the case of a poor senior citizen, better food than they eat themselves. Some dress their pets in fancy clothes and take them to fashion shows.

Some train their pets for protection, while others are looking for companionship. Many pets are like children, pampered and petted and loved.

But there are also cruel, inhuman owners who abuse and neglect their pets. They confine them to shabby, filthy, disgusting cages. Breed them and keep every last cat or dog until the house/apartment is so congested with animals that it’s impossible to keep clean. Some beat their animals, starve them, burn them  and then abandon them along highways, not caring if they get run over and killed.

Does your character currently own a pet? What kind and how is it treated?

One way to give hints as to a character’s personality is through pet ownership. For example, there is a woman in my neighborhood who walks her cat every day, wearing a halter and leash. Sometimes the cat is draped over the woman’s shoulders. It’s obvious from the way they interact with each other that there is love.

Your task is to write a pet into your story. First, decide what type of pet. Is it a tarantula or snake? That would repulse me. What about a hamster or guinea pig that escapes on a regular basis? That happened in our house.

If you select a dog, what breed and what is the purpose of the dog? How does the owner interact with the dog? Does he pet it often? Take it for walks? Brush and comb it? Let it share the bed or sleep on his lap?

Or is the dog kept outside no matter the weather? Given food in an indifferent manner? Allowed to roam the grounds with the expectation that it will bark, growl and attack an intruder?

You’ve got a lot to think about.

Have fun with this one.

Weather Affects Story

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This morning when I got up, a dense fog obliterated my view of the house across the street. If I had driven somewhere, it would have been perilous.

The fog reminded me that our characters’ lives are affected by weather. Some of them might live where it snows. They have to shovel their driveways clear, brush snow off their windshields and drive on slippery roads.

Other characters might live where there are torrential rains, tornadoes or hurricanes. Coming home from a shopping trip, their car might get swept away by roiling water or a tree limb might fall and crush the front end. A tornado might destroy houses and hurricanes might wash away miles of beach.

Huge waves batter the coast, causing cliffs to crumble and buildings to teeter preciously.

When we write, we need to take into consideration the elements of weather, which are determined by where our characters live.

My stories are always set in the west, in a place where it does not snow and our biggest potential disaster is an earthquake. Our temperatures are mild, our evenings usually comfortable as long as the fog comes in.

What about your stories? Reread one of your pieces, looking for places where descriptions of weather can influence behavior, actions, and even thoughts. Rewrite elements to add in how your character reacts to what goes on around him, what he thinks and how he feels.

When you are finished, reread again. Is your story richer? It should be. Because of these details, your readers will have a better image of where the story takes place.

Have fun with this one.

The First Step

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As the topic of a story is formulating in your mind, you must come up with the moral question. What is the probing question that the story is going to solve?

For example, in a coming-of-age story about a teenager who desires to be included in the popular group, the question might be “How do you join a group when you are seen to be an outsider?”

This quest for an answer drives the character’s motivation throughout the story. At the end, either the protagonist is now a part of that group, or has come to an epiphany that membership is not what she really wants. And why.

What if the main character sees an injustice in society at large and wants to correct it. The driving moral question would be “How do I motivate others to help me in this quest and what steps do I need to take to make things right?’

Perhaps the character sees poor kids going hungry in school which impacts their ability to learn. How will the protagonist provide healthy meals on a consistent basis?

Another part of the question is motivation. What happened to the protagonist that made her aware of the problem/issue? Why does she feel she is the one to correct the situation? What knowledge or experiences does she have that allows her to be the organizer?

Your task is to create a situation in which your character has a burning moral question that he is compelled to satisfy. First, define the question. Then make a list of possible solutions.

Establish the society in which the character lives, works, plays. Put things in motion and see what happens.

When you are finished, reread what you have written. If you are satisfied as a reader, great. If not, what changes need to be implemented to bring fulfillment?

Have fun with this one.

Writing in First Person

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Some authors find it easy to write in third person, but challenging to write in first.  Using “I” feels autobiographical, and if the topics discussed are controversial, there is a fear that someone will think the opinions are those of the writer.

But there is a plus to writing in first person: getting inside the head of the protagonist that cannot happen in third. We hear what the character is thinking, feel his emotions, see what she sees and so on. First person presents a biased view of the world, but sometimes the reader needs that perspective to understand the motivating factors behind what a character does.

For this exercise you are going to create a character similar to you in terms of age, gender, appearance and experience. You are going to place this character in a familiar scene. It could be inside your dwelling, your workplace, your gym. Using first person, you are going to tell a story that includes what that individual sees, hears, does.

Imagine, for example, a confrontation at the gym. Rules stipulate no cell phone usage and no music other than what is piped over the PA system. A smelly man using equipment near you is violating the rules. He has his phone amped up so that his choice of music is clearly heard by anyone within a few steps. And his music is offensive. It is filled with obscene words, insults certain ethnicities of which your character is one, and speaks of raping women. Of course we would see and hear all this through the filters of the protagonist. And then we see what the character does.

Your task is to create a character and scene and then tell the story using first person. Don’t edit as you write. Just get your thoughts down “on paper” and edit later.

Have fun with this one.

Writing About Someone You Know

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Often we are fearful about writing the stories of real people. We’re terrified that if we tell the truth, they will sue us/hate us/avoid us/never speak to us again.

It is correct that we should be concerned. Libel is a crime that could cost you real dollars and possibly damage your reputation as a writer.

So what do you do when Aunt Tilly’s story is too good to be silent? You create a persona who is like your aunt, but different. Your character doesn’t look like Tilly, doesn’t talk like her or walk like her. Her life experiences have not been the same. She hasn’t lived in the same house or attended the same schools.

Even the story is changed somewhat, just enough to protect the identity or your aunt.

Instead of walking on the beach in New Jersey when she found a seashell that reminded her of her late husband, she’s walking through the forests of northern California when she discovers an old journal half-buried under a pile of leaves.

Whereas the shell reminded her of a lovely vacation she shared with family and a few close friends, the journal speaks of love and loss.

Your task is to pull from your memory a person that you knew well. This person had an interesting life in which he traveled the country/world, visited unusual places, saw amazing sights, and experienced an event that changed his perspective/brought joy/introduced new hobbies.

Alter the person so that he is not recognizable, then write. Tell this new character’s story in an interesting way. Make him funny or crass. Place him in the midst of turmoil, either emotional or physical. Give him people to talk to and write the dialogue that ensues.

When you are finished, go back and reread. Find the places where you can add detail that enriches the story. Search for places where telling slows pace, and where the pace can be increased in order to build tension.

Make sure that your character wants something and that there are impediments in his way.

There are the things that make for an interesting story.

Have fun with this one.

Wedding Photo Stories

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Sometimes we get stuck. Can’t think of anything to write about. Try several ideas, but none of them pan out. So what do you do?

Rather than giving up, try taking out your own wedding photo, or it that doesn’t inspire you, a photo of someone else.

Look into the eyes of the characters. See how they stand next to each other. Is there physical contact or distance? Are they aloof or relaxed? Examine clothing, not just for style, but for fit. Is the groom’s tie off-center as if put on without regard for appearance? Is the bride’s gown form-fitting, highlighting the shape of her body?

Take a look at the shoes. If they appear worn, then our characters might have been short on money. Perhaps the groom’s left shoe tilts to the inside. Think about how that affects his gait. If the bride is wearing flats, then maybe she would be too tall in high heels.

Where are they standing? Some couples have their pictures taken at the front of the church, some outside under a shady tree. Choice of location indicates how the couple feels about the environment and their place in it.

Your task now is to write their story. You do not have to write about the wedding itself, but it is okay if you do. Instead imagine a scene in which this couple might have met or a place where they enjoy spending time. Give them names, personalities and forms of speech. Engage them in an activity that is compelling, a tension-filled scene in which each character wants something.

At the end one of your characters must be fulfilled while the other may still be wanting.

Have fun with this one.

Establishing Motive

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I recently attended a workshop at a conference in Fort Bragg, California. My leader, James W. Hall, is a published author and college professor of writing.

He reminded me that every character in a story has to want something, and that want is what compels the character to act. Once that want is fulfilled, then the character has to want something new, which now inspires action. And so on.

All too often we forget about this driving force. Without it, our stories go nowhere. Our characters are flat and uninspiring. There is no tension, and without tension, our readers are bored.

Your task is to reread something that you’ve written, but find troubling. You’ve known that something about it isn’t working and have tried rewriting without success.

Examine your characters, both primary and secondary. Protagonist and antagonist. Does each of them want something? Is each challenged to reach their goals? If not, then you need to find a way to fix it.

First, brainstorm a list of possible goals for each character. If you discover a character who exists only to give the protagonist someone to talk to, either eliminate the character or change his importance in the story.

After you’ve created your lists, choose primary goals for each character. Then rewrite, starting at the beginning. Constantly check your work, making sure to stay faithful to your goals.

When you’re finished, reread. Does your story now have tension? Do actions match goals? Are all characters important?

Hopefully this is so.

Have fun with this one.

Working Backwards

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Think back to when you were in elementary school. What kind of person were you? Shy or outspoken? Active or reclusive? What were your interests and preferred activities? Do you recall your first experience with a computer? How did you feel about it?

If it’s too challenging to drudge up details from that far back, then think of middle school or high school. Ask yourself the same questions.

Now think of one of your favorite characters. Construct a childhood biography for him. Ask the same questions as far as elementary life, middle school life and high school life. You might even explore college or work.

How does this information influence your character’s current behavior? In what ways does he think, move, believe because of his past experiences?

Once you’ve gathered this information, go back into your story and reread. Considering the things that your character has seen and done over his lifetime, rewrite a few scenes that are changed because of your understanding of who this person is.

Have fun with this one.

Keep it Interesting

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There is nothing worse than a boring story. Especially when you just bought the hardcover version. Imagine paying $20 for a book, expecting it to be a great read, based on the teasers on the inside flap.

Then you begin reading, holding the book gently and leaning forward in anticipation, only to find the first paragraph so dull that you want to toss the book across the room. But you don’t because you paid good money for it.

You finish the first page, then the second. You trudge forward, page after boring page, waiting for something interesting to occur. After about 50 pages, you give up and put the book in your recycling pile.

As a writer, we have an obligation to keep readers engaged. The way to make that happen is by creating story in which the tension ebbs and flows with each turn of the page.

It would be nearly impossible to maintain that tension throughout the entire book, and as a reader, it would be overwhelming to be constantly on alert. So what does a writer do?

Your characters must be challenged, but not inundated. New twists occur, but at a comfortable pace, not like on a sled ride down a constantly changing hill.

As soon as your character accepts the new twist, as soon as the character moves on, throw something new at her. Make things hard. Make your character have to fight through the obstacle to attain her goal.

No trite endings. No easy resolution. No happy birds singing, no stars bursting in the night sky and no simple coincidences that solve all problems.

Your task is to write a scene in which life is not easy for your protagonist. He wants something that will take effort to achieve. He begins his quest, only to be blocked by a major occurrence. He stumbles around until he finds a way past, then within a short period of time, comes across another obstacle. At the end of your scene, the main character can either be feeling safe, or he can be adrift, flopping around feeling insecure. It’s up to you.

Have fun with this one.

No Technology

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My computer crashed yesterday, the one where I sit and do my writing. All my work is sitting on an external hard drive that I cannot access. Thank goodness I have a flash drive and some of my work is saved to the cloud.

I have no cell phone, but I do own an iPad, so I can still do many of the things that I want to do.

But what if I didn’t? What if the world suddenly went dark due to a glitch of some kind, and there is no Internet, no cell phones, no iPad or other devices. Imagine how frustrating and limiting that would feel.

Your task is to write that story. Don’t go back in time before all those devices had been created. Write a contemporary piece that deals with the cravings, the intense need that people feel. The hollowness inside. The inability to connect with friends and family on facebook or Instagram or twitter.

What does your character do to fill in the time? Write letters by hand? Draw or color? Go jogging or for a brisk walk around the block? Go to a café or coffeehouse and sit with other bereft strangers?

This is your task.

Have fun with this one.