Embarrassing!

            One morning, as my kindergarten students stood in line waiting to enter the classroom, one of the girls peed. It streamed down her legs, filling her shoes and running down the ramp. She started crying, but my assistant led her inside. Some students made comments, which I handled by asking if anything embarrassing had ever happened to them. Of course, all of them shared a comparable story. When the girl rejoined the class in clean clothes, barefoot, she was greeted with open arms. No one teased her.

            Imagine if your protagonist has something embarrassing happen to him. Would it be during an office meeting when he makes an inappropriate comment? When he’s riding a horse with a group and gets bucked off? When he jumps into the pool and comes up without a suit?

            There are countless situations where something can go amiss.

            Your task is to write a story in which your character is embarrassed.

            Have fun with this one.

Forgettable Memory

Not all memories are good ones. All of us can recall at least one incident that embarrassed us, humiliated us or angered us. Or maybe it was something we did that we wish we never had.

Think of the story this could become! Fill in with sensory details and it becomes rich and full of life.

Your task is first to make a list of five events that you wish had never happened. Then choose the one which would be the easiest for you to write about.

When you write, embellish with dialogue and details. There must be tension, so bring in a person that enriches the telling.

Have fun with this one.