Reading and Annotation from What If: Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers
This week we’re read What If: Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers. Start by reading the
Preface, Introduction, and first chapter “Beginnings” – that’s everything up to page 30.
And the “Sudden Fiction” section, 223-245. Also read the selection of short-short stories
at the back (p. 273-286).
ANNOTATION DUE Friday April 29
We’ll use the “notice and focus” assignment here. Remember that the game here is to
practice OBSERVING without judging. That requires us to slow down, to deliberately
ignore or set aside the part of our minds that has an opinion about everything, and to
experience an extended period of just looking, just noticing, just being with the poem.
1. Choose one short-short story from the collection. You’re going to spend a minimum
of 30 minutes answering the question “what do you notice” as you look over the
story.
2. Using either your computer or a paper and pencil, make a list of details that you
notice. Don’t try to decide what details are important; just write down as many as you
can identify. Keep your focus on the words on the page, rather than making inferences or
interpretations. What does it actually say? You might notice the first line, character,
point of view, setting, word choice, sentence length, plot, objects… whatever you notice,
write that down.
3. After making your list, take a break – stretch, get a drink of water, look out the
window – and come back to your list. Answer this question:
“What three details are most revealing or significant or strange?”
Go through your list and highlight or circle or mark the three details that strike you.
Don’t think too much; just go with your first instincts.
4. For each of the details you chose, write a paragraph. Say why it seems revealing, or
significant, or strange. Dig into it. You can go ahead and interpret it, relate it to the
story, or just stay with the words as they appear on the page.
Your annotation should include:
Title and author of short-short story you chose. Put story titles in quote marks: “The
Custodian.”
Your list of details – everything you noticed.
Your 3 paragraphs on chosen details.