This week’s exercise was a bit more detailed than normal. It included taking a walk, writing to evoke the emotion of the walk, and then editing the piece to really make sure the emotion came through. I did not have time this week to take a nice relaxing walk as I had wanted to do, but I did take a walk. I hope you enjoy the experience that was my walk.
Write On Wednesdays Exercise 11 - Take a Walk: "Come back home and write what you encountered. Try to write so that your sentences feel the way the walking felt." Let's toss the 5 minute sprint aside this week and instead take a lingering stroll through our exercise. Participants are encouraged to write a first draft (the point being to get it out on the page), then to go through and edit their piece before posting. We're aiming to get from one place to another, taking the reader with us - economically, gracefully, elegantly.
Perhaps start with the usual stream of consciousness exercise if you are having trouble getting started. But then stop and take a look. Edit your sentences and try to get them "feeling" the way your walk felt.
Click, click, click, click, click, click, click … my simple black heels made a terribly loud sound as I walked down the near empty street. I was running unusually late, but still within the appropriate time to arrive at the event. But I just hate being late, even by a few minutes. It was unavoidable though. There was no way I was paying $10 to park for 2 hours. I was left with no choice but to circle until I found a spot on the street.
I stopped at the corner waiting for the light to change. The little orange hand stayed steady as the seconds ticked by. Finally the little white walking man appeared telling me it was ok to cross. I stole a glance at my blackberry as I stepped off the curb. Click, click, click, click, click, click … It should only take another 2-3 minutes to get to the hotel.
The sun is setting and the street lights are flickering on as I turn the corner. I can see the hotel now. Just a few more steps and I will be there. Click, click, click, click, click, click …
I inhale the warm night air as I reach for the ornate door handle. The door swings easily for its size. Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack … my heels make an even more obtrusive sound hitting the tile, the noise echoing in the otherwise quiet lobby. Oh thank god, there is a sign and I don’t have to ask anyone where to go.
Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack … my heels continue beating the floor like a drum as I walk out of the lobby. I spot the room on the right, just a short distance ahead. My blackberry buzzes as if protesting the death grip applied to it by my hand. No time to check the message now. I slip the phone into my purse so I won’t be tempted to sneak a peek during the presentation. I try to slip into the room of people but tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap … thanks to the wood floor my heels give me away.
When I first saw the challenge this week I was not overly thrilled. I thought it would be difficult and I felt uninspired. But, I think taking a walk from my everyday life, as opposed to trying to take a walk for the sole purpose of writing about it made the exercise more enjoyable.
Taking on ordinary moment in your life and finding something inspiring in it takes gumption!
Great piece, I really enjoyed it, especially the description of the sound of the heels on the different surfaces. :)
ReplyDeleteMelissa is right, I think I can hear my own heels just like that every time I walk my way to my office. The feeling of in a rush is clear too. Simple yet lively.=)
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Andy
I hate being late too, especially for anything work-related, I'm not sure if that's what the "presentation" was but it sounded important! And I would have refused to pay that much for 2 hour parking too!
ReplyDelete