First Line Challenge

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence or passage of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted.

(Incidentally, the last opener was from The Color Purple by Alice Walker.)

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

”Where's Papa going with that ax?” said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast...

Group Story: Urban Legend

Over the past few months, Wednesdays here at CIC have been reserved for our midweek character update – otherwise known as “What's Happening Now?” - but I realize that we might all be a little weary of the routine.

So, I think it's high time we return to our creative roots and compose a story together. In fact, it's hard to believe that our last attempt was back in early February when we created a group romance.

Although we seemed to have fun that day, I thought it might be cool to try a new genre. Now, while we've covered plenty of genres in the past, from classic literature to science fiction, I was surprised to realize that we've never done an urban legend before.

Since there's no time like the present, I'll kick it off with a classic... the tale of the flushed baby alligator who grows up in the sewers of an urban metropolis. Remember, all authors and characters are welcome to participate.

Once, there was a little Cajun alligator named Boudreaux who went on a trip with his human family to the Windy City, where he was accidentally flushed down a hotel toilet...

You and Your World: The Afterlife

Happy Monday, Characters! Today, let's talk about something that might be a sensitive subject for some of you: The Afterlife.

Does your culture believe in an afterlife? Do you? If so, what is it like and do you have to do anything special to get there (other than die, of course)?

Tell us all about what you think happens when we pass on.

First Line Challenge

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence or passage of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted.

(Incidentally, the last opener was from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Good job, Christine, for guessing it correctly!)

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

You better not never tell nobody but God. It'd kill your mammy...

What's Happening Now?

Given our “What's New?” chat on Monday, I hesitated to post such a similar prompt today, but it's actually been two weeks since our last “What's Happening Now?” discussion. Remember, last Wednesday, we chatted about our favorite foods instead! (Not that I'm complaining, of course.)

So, I guess that means it's time for our midweek update – a chance for characters to reveal their current, or at least most recent, whereabouts. In this way, authors can share what's happening within their stories by speaking through their characters' unique voices.

Well, let's hear it, guys, gals, and creatures! What have you been up to lately? Seen any interesting hot spots? Encountered any wicked monsters? Found yourself in a spot of trouble, supernatural or otherwise?

Feel free to spill any and all of your latest adventures, and hopefully, by revealing where you are in your story, you'll help inspire your authors to keep moving forward with theirs.

Remember, this is for characters only!

You Tell Me: What's New?

I know we have a weekly "What are you doing now?" discussion, but let's do something slightly different. Today, let's share the new things in our lives.

Do you have a new friend? A new pair of shoes? A new idea or plan?

Is there something new you're searching for, like a new job or a new outfit for an upcoming special occasion?

Tell us what's new so we can share the fun!

First Line Challenge

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence or passage of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted.

(Incidentally, the last opener was from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.)

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings. I arrived here yesterday, and my first task is to assure my dear sister of my welfare and increasing confidence in the success of my undertaking...

Do you see what I see? Yummy Oysters

I know, I know. Not everyone finds raw oysters appealing. For some, they're just too darn slimy. But not for me.

As a native of New Orleans, I've loved raw oysters since I was a teenager. Cold, clean, and salty – and even better with a squirt of lemon juice and a dab of cocktail sauce. In fact, I dream about them all the time, and I miss them when I'm not down south. That's probably why I eat so many of them during my fall visits to New Orleans – I have to get my fill before enduring months without them, and needless to say, I'm really, really hoping that the current Gulf oil spill doesn't destroy the Louisiana oyster beds for years to come.

So, what's your favorite food? What yummy treat do you dream about often – and what would you lament being without?

Authors and characters are all welcome to share! So, come on, let's get hungry!

Getting to Know You: Animals

If you could be an animal, what would you be, and why?











Do you have a favorite animal - one that perhaps you wouldn't want to be, but that you think is interesting or admirable? What qualities do you like about it? Would you want that animal to live in your house, if such were possible, or is it something you only admire from afar?

First Line Challenge

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence or passage of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted – it's one of my favorites!

(Incidentally, the last opener was from Lady Chatterley's Lover by D. H. Lawrence.)

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since...

What's Happening Now?

Well, folks, the long holiday weekend is over for many of us, and it's time to get back to work... which means it's also time for our midweek update – a chance for characters to reveal their current whereabouts. In this way, authors can share what's happening within their stories by speaking through their characters' unique voices.

So, let's hear it, guys, gals, and creatures! What have you been up to lately? Seen any interesting places? Encountered any wicked beasts? Found yourself in a spot of trouble, supernatural or otherwise?

Feel free to spill any and all of your latest adventures, and hopefully, by revealing where you are in your story, you'll help inspire your authors to keep moving forward with theirs.

Remember, this is for characters only!

Getting to Know You: Independence

Both Canada and the United States had their independence celebrations recently, so let's take a little time to think about what independence really means to us.

Do you crave independence as an individual, or do you fear it? Do you lean on others, or do others depend on you?

Do you live in a place where personal independence is valued? Have you always felt free, or have you had to fight? Is there any day in particular that you think of as a personal Independence Day?

First Line Challenge

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence or passage of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted – it's one of my favorites!

(Incidentally, the last opener was from Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.)

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

Ours is essentially a tragic age, so we refuse to take it tragically...