Jan's Master Class--SLICE OF LIFE

[Colswann1]

Hello there Jan

The link is to a story about a day in Billy's life. It's to do with something he looks forward to each year - baking a Christmas cake with his Gran.

http://faithwriters.com/wc-article-leve ... p?id=26114

Colin

[glorybee]

Very sweet story, Colin. I enjoyed the slice of life, and I'd love a slice of cake!

Thanks for sharing the link!

[Soren2007]

A fantastic topic. I think this is my default form of writing. Forget about plot, find a sketch or topic, apply it to the page and create mood and voice in literary form. Is there such a thing as "slices of life" or are those called memoirs and then more plot is needed?

I typically see writers (in the challenge) try to give too many details when trying this and the piece can become dry. I typically skip too many details as my favorite mistake and then if you aren't in my head - or were not there when I came up with the sketch - well you'll wish you had been because the mood and voice might be good but you'll probably be frustrated cuz its lack of information left you unfulfilled. There's a fine balance to this form of writing for sure - still looking for it myself but like the outline in this lesson. Thanks, Jan.

[glorybee]

Thanks, Tom!

I'm not sure about 'slices of life'. Seems to me that's a novel. Or, as you say, a memoir.

[CatLin]

You realize, don't you, that I pick these topics specifically to make you root through your old stories? My next topic will be "Stories that use the word "the" too frequently", and you'll have to pore through them all, counting the "the"s.

Muahhhhaaaaahaaaaahaaaaa.

One of my challenge entries actually contains NO "the's". I challenged myself by searching out the word and not using it. (Ok, really, I was looking for a way to cut words - I also eliminated every "that") I wish I could remember which one it was. I guess I'll have to read them all again and find it as "anti-homework" for the next lesson. hee hee.

My homework: I think this one qualifies as a "slice of life"?
"I Lay Me Down in Peace, and Sleep".

The "story" came to me, believe it or not, as I was laying down to sleep for the night, wondering what in the world I could write for "Calm", and trying to calm my brain down enough to sleep. Not very deep, huh? I was stunned when it won 1st in Advanced and an EC!! It was one of the easiest entries I've ever written.

[glorybee]

Catrina, that's a BEAUTIFUL slice of life, and no surprise at all that it did so well. Thanks so much for the link.

I'd love to read a 'the-less' story! That sounds like a really fun challenge, actually; maybe we should do something like that for a mini-challenge between quarters.

I've heard of a whole novel written without the letter E. Now THAT would be difficult.