Steering the Craft, Chapter 1 Exercises

Last month, I wrote about rededicating myself to the craft of writing, and as part of that pledge, I've been re-reading Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin. I've read it once before and have since recommended it to many people as my favorite book on writing.

The reason it's my favorite is that the included writing exercises are excellent. They challenge me in a way no other writing exercise has. There are chapters and exercises on rhythm, repetition, verbs, point of view, etc.

So, as I complete Steering the Craft, I wanted to share my work, starting with Ch. 1—The Sound of Your Writing. This was a two-parter.

Being Gorgeous Part One: Write a paragraph to a page of narrative that’s meant to be read aloud. Use onomatopoeia, alliteration, repetition, rhythmic effects, made-up words or names, dialect—any kind of sound effect you like—but NOT rhyme or meter.

Photo by robin mikalsen on Unsplash

The goblins of Az’kharroth feasted under the full moon’s shine.

"Feasted" is perhaps imprecise; a feast brings to mind a cornucopia of delights to share with friends and family and fellow feasters. But the goblins of Az’kharroth do not—and did not—deign to share.

Instead, they chomped and gulped and slobbered and belched; they howled and shrieked their delight in the fresh fare; a cacophonic chorus of KEE-rows and Kakakakakais flooded the moonlit field. They slurped the marrow from bones and smacked their lips; here and there, one or two vomited a toenail or a clump of hair, but the Incorrigible Brotherhood of Horribles never let such nuisances long distract them from their meal.

Part Two: In a paragraph or so, describe an action, or a person feeling strong emotion—joy, fear, grief. Try to make the rhythm and movement of the sentences embody or represent the physical reality you’re writing about.

Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash

Inhale, exhale. A thousand small cuts split the seams of your skin, and they are too fresh, too raw, to bear. Inhale, exhale. A howl wrestles its way from the pit of your belly up your stricken throat. Inhale, exhale. You open your mouth to let the scream spill forward, but all that spills out is shame and bile that tastes of betrayal.

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There you go! What I like about these exercises is that you can always revisit them and get something new.

If you complete the exercises, I encourage you to post and share your responses.

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