Below are two "postcard" stories--a story you can fit on a postcard. This is a fun experiment to try to see if you can convey a vibrant world of rich detail, complex characters, and conflict in-between the written lines, or, in other words, through subtext. Story Hatchery student, Maggie Cox, does this exceptionally well. Enjoy!
Postcard Stories
by
Maggie Cox, age 12
I
A cloud of dust sprang up. Rubbing the grime out of my eyes, I reached for the naked bulb. Light flooded the attic. I walked softly so he wouldn't hear. A crash of glass sounded from below, followed by shouts. Forget that now, I told myself. I was safe with the books.
II
As the cold water rushed in my mouth, it flowed through the hole where I was missing a tooth. It was so refreshing. I thought if I could get enough water, I could wash away the bad taste my last foster family had left in my mind. I could wash away all the bad memories that I knew would always remain.
These kids are SO TALENTED. It blows my mind and makes me really happy!
ReplyDeleteAn opportunity to illustrate that while both stories make a point, the first one does it so much more viscerally.
ReplyDelete