First off, for all you Irish folks out there, Happy St. Patrick's Day! But that's not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about teenagers. Many of you #wipmadness folks are writing for teens and they are an interesting bunch. Funny, mischievous, frustrating, there are many more words to describe them. So in an art project this fall, I asked them to describe themselves with three words in an art piece that involved layering with gesso and paint. They had to choose a color palette and design that matched their words. Many used a thesaurus to dig deeper. Here are three examples and I'll tell you a bit about the kids.
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| Freaky, Funky, Electric |
Red-headed senior boy. Funny. The prom king but not in the normal way you'd expect. A big fan of dubstep music (today's rave culture fave). Wrestler. Tobacco chewer. Tall and Skinny. Everybody loves him. Knows how to flirt with all of his teachers and endear himself completely. He's not sure what he wants to do when he leaves school.
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| Impuslive, Fallacious, Obstreperous |
This girl is a sophomore. Loud. Opinionated. Cute in a quirky way. Knows what she likes and doesn't give a rat's rear end what other people think. Loves to watch Skins and Portlandia, she turned me on to both. Owns a chihuahua. Loves to think and dig deep and her words fit her 100%. Wants to go to a four year college for art. Lucky me gets her for Art 2 and 3 next year. Did I say loud?
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| Mellow, Introspective, Effervescent |
Gorgeous junior girl. Shy. Quiet. Carries a really big fashionable purse. Wears the colors she chose for this painting. Wants to be a model but doesn't know how to pursue it. Very country accent. Long hair and a tender, girlish voice. Loves shoes, and even though she's quite tall, wears heels to school. The boys drool.
So - here's your comment assignment. What three words would your main character use to describe him or herself? And are they right?
Hope your writing week was excellent and everyone stays safe in the week ahead. And don't forget to check in with
Shari Green tomorrow!
The artwork here is awesome. Love it! You have some amazing students.
ReplyDeleteUmm, as for my MC, I'm going to pick one (I'm in the middle of revisions on two books, heaven help me) from the Shadows book you've read a bit of :) She'd use: Intelligent, Determined, & Light. She may not be right in all of these, but don't tell her that!
Thanks, I think I have amazing students, too.
DeleteAnd I find this exercise hard. I know how "I" see my MC but get a bit stuck on how she sees herself.
Ooooh, how fun! I'm about to shift gears to do another round of revisions on my novel, so this helps me get back into my ballerina MC's frame of mind. She's graceful (duh, ballerina), hopeful, and persistent.
ReplyDeleteGlad it was fun!
DeleteAwesome artwork and fun assignment!
ReplyDeleteFor my MC, I'd say focused, loyal, and confused. Poor girl, she is all three.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Those 3 traits can lead to bad decisions, can't they?
DeleteDevout. Determined. Scared. She's got her work cut out for her, and like it or not, she won't always get her way. She'll need an attitude shift before all's said and done.
ReplyDeleteI wrote most of Monday's post last night. Didn't get up to much else, packing and prepping as I was for my Island journey. About to board the ferry now. Hope this weekend will be as relaxing and healing and Madnessy as I want it to be. Where I'm going, there's a quiet to be had.
Oooh, enjoy your get away - sounds wonderful!
DeleteFiery. Searching. Lonely.
ReplyDeleteWow! Your students' work is amazing and I totally love your assignment!
Yesterday, I officially started the final chapter. The denouement! Today, I hope to finish it. Then I have to decide if I spend tomorrow weeding the gardens and cleaning the house or indulging in something completely selfish...
Rave on, Wipsters!
Yay! Mary Ann. You can do it. And of course, selfish!
DeleteYour students' artwork is very impressive. Love it!
ReplyDeleteMy current MC: sheltered, witty, insecure
Thanks for asking. I hadn't really thought of this, but it's a good writing exercise.
My wipmadness update: 900 words yesterday...I am so close to the end, but struggling as I get there...
Have a great weekend, Jaye. And Happy St. Patty's Day!
Thank you Linda - this was a favorite project for me - combining words with art.
DeleteSeems as if many of us are winding toward the finish line.
What a cool assignment! My MC is naïve, optimistic, and daring. But the poor kid's going to be grossly neglected this weekend. Busy. Busy. Busy.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy a great one, Wipsters!
Have a good, busy weekend Angelina. You must be close to the finish with your Chloe revisions, yes?
DeleteLoved seeing your students' art and hearing about them. Lots of vivid colors.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of the story, my mc thinks of herself as confident, mature and average--for the most part she's not right.
(LOL. I imediately came up with one word for your mc ;) )
Hmmm, would that be...slutty? I prefer sensual. (But lonely and insecure, too)
DeleteNo, your mc is not average. Mature yes. Confident - time will tell.
What a great art project! I'm not a #wipmadness participator but hope to be the next time (provided I know when it is).
ReplyDeleteMy MC is determined, sneaky, and fun.
Well, we're still glad you're chiming in today with your character's traits! And #wipmadness on Twitter is never ending. Hashtag with us any time.
DeleteWhat beautiful and creative artwork! You have very talented students :)
ReplyDeleteMy heroine is brave, determined, strong-willed
:) Off to add some word count to current WIP and as always continue novel edits.
HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!
Thanks Marie!
DeleteI love a strong-willed heroine.
JRo, I'd love to be in your Art class. What a wonderful and creative assignment!!
ReplyDeleteJosey would tell you she's clever, spirited, and impulsive.
Happy 17th day, wipsters and happy St. Patty's Day, too. :))
You're welcome any time :-).
DeleteSpirited and impulsive sound like good BFF traits!
Deb, I hope you're feeling okay today after your accident. Sending you healing thoughts!!!
ReplyDeleteJordan: I'm romantic, a daydreamer, and of course an old soul.
ReplyDeleteLupe: Torn between who I really am.
Stephanie: Invisible, dreamer, and a loner
That's from three of my characters in three different novels.
Today started a new paranormal that is set in my own cultural backdrop: Sicily. Both sides of my family are Sicilians. Plus I finished a YA Books Central review. Mostly today I've been reading. It's rainy outside and cold. **Well, for Southern Ca that is!
Oh boy, a shiny new project! My brains been whirring on my light sci-fi idea. I must get a notebook and start writing all this stuff down.
DeleteWhat a fabulous project, and I love the examples you shared! Three words my MC would use to describe herself are introverted, determined, and spirited.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten some good revising done so far! Haven't checked many blogs today--I've been mostly working on my word count!
Word count is a great thing to work on!
DeleteImogen: Creative, confident and impulsive.
ReplyDeleteSo I finished everything off with my WIP yesterday and sent it to critique partners. Today, for the first time all March (and possibly all year) I'm going to take a day off from writing and do all the things I didn't do while in the revision cave. I'm going to read, I'm going out for breakfast, I'm going to the beach, I'm going to buy a bookcase and I'm going to spend some quality time with the husband.
It feels good to tick the biggest goal off my March Madness list.
Wow Beth, that's huge - Congratulations! And your day today sounds perfect. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI've had a massive headache all day and decided no writing after work. Probably none tomorrow either.
ReplyDeleteThat art is cool though. Thanks for sharing!
Oooh, sorry Brandon, headaches are the worst. Hope you feel better soon.
DeleteRead today and brainstormed for Script Frenzy. Took it easy today an spent the day out with Mom.
ReplyDeleteOh, had a Shamrock Shake. Been years since I slurped one of those.
Happy Madness of March,
Tonette
Tonette,
DeleteI'll be doing Script frenzy too! Yay!Have to find my outline before April 1st!
cheers!
What is a Shamrock Shake?
DeleteIn the beginning: Outcast, powerless, passionate
ReplyDeleteNow (late middle): superfluous, sorrowful, determined
I see her as: loving, logical, loyal, impulsive in speech, hard-worker, underestimates herself
There are certainly truths in each of the words (except superfluous - that's just a misinterpretation of the prophecy), but she doesn't have a good grasp of herself yet. She sees herself like she believes others see her...and she tends to focus on the negative - obviously! :)
Loved the art and the assignment. Fun to think of her thoughts about herself as opposed to mine. Thanks!
I got 832 words today and 1184 yesterday...plugging along!
Yep, what our characters think of themselves is different than how we see them.
DeleteGreat word count!
Lost, fragile, tenacious
ReplyDeleteRevised my outline today. Started re-reading The Hunger Games and did not want to put it down.
I rarely go to big movies on opening weekend, but plan on being there next Saturday after my hair appointment. Can't wait to see it.
DeleteOoo, I LIKE this...three words
ReplyDeleteimpulsive, temperamental, loyal
she would say yes to the third and HUH? to the first two, lol!
Got a blog post done yesterday, that about it. Slowed down some, but am thinking thinking on my wip.
Hi, I'm new here. My character would choose bratty, sarcastic, and distrustful. She would agree with the first two, but would say she is justified in being bratty and sarcastic. I'm not sure if she knows that she's distrustful.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious what is the "WIP Madness" badge all about?
Hi and welcome! The #wipmadness badge is the brainchild of author, Denise Jaden, who started doing March Madness accountability blogging last year or the year prior. Several of us who participated last year, kept it going year round on Twitter using the #wipmadness hashtag - we also designated a different blog each month for weekly check-ins. During March, we check in daily with seven different hosts - I'm Saturday's host.
DeleteJoin us, either for the rest of March or throughout the year on Twitter.
I know when I was younger I described myself very differently than others saw me. I probably still do. Confidence wasn't (and at times isn't) my thing.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting to read your description behind the picture. Gotta like a girl who matches her clothing to her art!
ReplyDeleteHow would my MC describe herself? Brave, loyal, and independent.
My main character would call himself atheist, hopeless, and ...hmmm. I will think about the third!
ReplyDeleteHey Jaye! Very nice to meet you - thanks for stopping by my house and leaving your footprint. I appreciate that! A lot.
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
Co-Host of the April A to Z Challenge
Twitter: @AprilA2Z #atozchallenge
@ Theresa - yep, she's a neat kid.
ReplyDelete@Alleged Author - oooh, intriguing character traits
@Tina - thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you in April!