Not all Writing Exercises are Equal

Today I attended a writer's workshop and we had a flash fiction exercise. It involved each person in the room writing one related sentence on a piece of paper to make a story. 

I had a hunch when the first writer who got my paper said, "I see the words, but I don't understand them," that maybe I was in trouble. I did explain two mystery words. Nonetheless, the result of my starting sentence was somewhat like the end of a bad drug trip.  ;) 

Here's the story:

1. Chopin's Polonaise filled the air.  (That's my starting sentence. Chopin is a Polish composer and a Polonaise is a musical piece. I'm not sure saying: "Chopin Polonaise  Op 53" would have helped.) Its lovely, if  you'd like to listen while reading the rest of this. 

2. The sun broke through the clouds sending sparkling shafts to the ground. (What? Aren't these sentences supposed to be related and make sense?) 

3. Makalesh, the long brown-haired Coon Cat, at first lazily pawed at the light streaks, blocking them then releasing them creating strobelike effect. (Okay, we're doing light here...) 

4. With the appearance of the rainbow, the shards of light came alive and danced with Makalesh to the sound of the music. (Hey, we have someone who figured out that "filled the air" might mean music.)

5. Perhaps there will be a treasure at the end of this rainbow. (And thus ends the polonaise, cat and light show.) ROFL 

This goes to show how important it is that the reader has the faintest idea what you are talking about to begin with.  Elsewise, we have a lot of "sound and fury signifying nothing." (Shakespeare) 

Next time my sentence will be: Stop! 

I can think of so many things that could follow.

1.  Stop!
1. In the name of love!
2. Put the cookie down!
3. Hands in the air!
4. Don't stop!