Eng 223  Greg Martin

Generative Craft Exercise #1:  Map Making

            Part I

·        Make a Map.  Draw, by hand, a map.  This may be of a particular place that is important to you.  This may be the earliest neighborhood you remember.  It may be a map of a drive you took.  It may be the map of the inside of a house, or an abandoned building.  A forest path.  An intersection where something strange or curious happened.  The route you took on your walk to school, to a relative’s house.  A small town.  A downtown.)

·        Write on the map as much detail as you can.  Place names, people, events—anything.

Part II

·      Tell a story from your map. What’s a story?  Flannery O’Connor said, “If nothing happens, it’s not a story.”

·        Pay special attention to imagery and sense details.  Engage at least three senses as vividly as possible.  Include at least one metaphor or simile that relates to the piece’s deeper concerns.

            Part III

• Tell your story from using the retrospective point of view.  Include in your story the act of remembering.  What do you remember?  What don't you remember?  What do you wish you remembered?

Length:  No less than two double-spaced pages, no more than three double-spaced pages.

Make two copies of your exercise (Part II).  One to give to me, one to share with another person in class.