Journal 12 ROUND-ROBIN

• TASK: We will begin writing a horror story and every two minutes we will pass it around for someone else to continue writing it following the specific instructions provided. Each person must write their name in the margin next to their part.

• OBJECTIVE: Develop the writing style, tone, characters, and conflicts so that it seems that it was written by one person seamlessly. Make sure it’s scary and not funny.

Writer 1:

• Begin with the sentence: It was a dark and stormy night . . .(describe

where we are using sensory details…no characters yet)

• Use the words: candle, photo, and mirror.

Writer 2:

• Introduce a female character who looks like she’s been in some sort of an accident.

• Describe her physically (age, face, body, clothing) with as much details as possible.

Writer 3:

• What is she doing? • Use these verbs in separate sentences : crept, cringed, caressed.

Writer 4:

• What is she thinking? Get inside her head and reveal her thoughts and

feelings. Use 3rd person.

Writer 5:

• Have the female character encounter a male character.

• He has a distinct smell. Describe the stranger’s smell using a simile.

Writer 6:

• Describe his appearance (age, face, body, clothing) with as much detail as possible.

• Use the adjectives in separate sentences : bloody, shiny, frothy

Writer 7:

• What is he doing? • Use the adverbs in separate sentences :frantically, silently, breathlessly

Writer 8:

• Create/intensify the conflict between the two characters using dialogue.

• Start a new line each time the speaker changes.

Writer 9:

• End the story with one of the characters taking something away from the other. Describe how this happens using specific details.

RETURN TO ORIGINAL WRITER

Read your story. Write a reflective response in one paragraph answering the following:

1. Was the story scary? How so?2. Did it at times become silly and funny? When?

How could that be revised to keep the tone scary.3. Was the writing style and tone consistent?

Where did it change and not fit in with the rest of the story?

4. Was the development of the characters and conflicts fluid? Where did it fall short in building momentum?