On Wednesday, my classmate Brie Emerson presented a lesson on critical questions, which were described in chapter one of Jim Burke's book, What's the Big Idea. To get us thinking of critical questions, Brie gave each of us a six word story and asked us to freewrite about it.
"Please, this is everything, I swear." Orson Scott Card
This has a desperate, pleading note. I can imagine someone saying this to a robber or perhaps a lover who thinks he/she is not giving enough. I imagine the scene in "Batman Begins" when Bruce Wayne's parents are killed. The person is obviously trying to protect themself and/or others. Would this story more likely be about robbery or a bad relationship? Robbery would make more sense, but relationship would be interesting too. (Short story prompt?) Who is the speaker trying to protect? What, if anything, do they gain by begging? What does "everything" refer to?
"Please, this is everything, I swear." Orson Scott Card
This has a desperate, pleading note. I can imagine someone saying this to a robber or perhaps a lover who thinks he/she is not giving enough. I imagine the scene in "Batman Begins" when Bruce Wayne's parents are killed. The person is obviously trying to protect themself and/or others. Would this story more likely be about robbery or a bad relationship? Robbery would make more sense, but relationship would be interesting too. (Short story prompt?) Who is the speaker trying to protect? What, if anything, do they gain by begging? What does "everything" refer to?