This morning I was excited to see that Wake Up Writing has been nominated in the writers’ resource section of the annual editor/preditor awards (http://www.critters.org/predpoll/writerinfo.shtml). There’s such a lot of quality writing resources listed there that I’m thrilled to even get a mention, so thank you to whomever nominated/voted for Wake Up Writing in this category.

This made me think about today’s exercise, and I wondered what award nomination would thrill you the most. So, this morning I’d like you to write down the award you’d most like to be nominated for, and then write a summary of why you think you deserve it.

With blushing thanks and humility,

Start your page with any of the following and continue from there:

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At a reunion, your protagonist bumps into an adversary from High School. Surprisingly the friend confesses that she was so awful to your protagonist because she was jealous of her. Decide what your protagonist had that was enviable, and then write the dialogue for the scene where it all comes out.

What’s your most expensive indulgence? Describe it. How often do you induldge? Do you share it? What makes it such a treat and worth the added pull on your budget?

Use the 10 following words in a piece of fiction or non-fiction. They can be used in any order, but they must ALL be included and used correctly.

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Which age decade do you/did you feel was YOUR time? Teens (pre-teens!), 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s+? When did you feel you were, or will be, at your peak and doing the things you’ve always dreamed. Write an essay entitled "Coming of Age" and explore why you think the decade (in years) that you come into your own.

Take any of the following, start your page with it, and continue writing!

1. Stevie stood still, staring at the stiff spine of his retreating … …

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The storyline: Your city born and bred (and much pampered) protagonist has to visit an elderly relative who lives in a basic cabin up in the mountains. She’ll require an overnight stay.

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Move your left hand, what’s the first object you can reach? Describe it in detail so someone not looking at it knows can picture it in their mind. What is it? What does it look like? Where did it come from? Why is it there?

Use the following 15 - yes 15 - words in a single piece of fiction or non-fiction. How low can you make your total word count, and yet still manage to use each of the words within it in its right context and not make your piece sound "contrived"?

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