Chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird features the terrifying scene with the rabid dog Tim Johnson. Harper Lee uses ordinary people to confront an extraordinary problem and communicates the tension and dread that everyone fears. Write a scene in which something from the natural world intrudes upon the safety of everyday life.
Imagine a group of children playing tag in your yard or in the street in front of your house. Now imagine that a mountain lion appears from around the corner of the house three doors down, slowly stalking toward the children. Write what happens next. There will probably be some discussion among the children regarding whether it is even a mountain lion, and how a mountain lion came to be on your street, and what they should do next. Some children, no doubt, will run home immediately (but what about the one who lives four doors down!). Some will be more curious. Some, perhaps, will want to confront the mountain lion. Whatever you write, manage time and space to heighten the tension as the mountain lion gets closer.
Write a scene in which the reader will likely judge a character harshly. But here’s the catch: you can’t use any judgmental or moral language. In other words, don’t tell the reader that the character is dishonest or mean or petty. Show the character acting dishonest or mean or petty, and let the reader reach his or her own conclusions.
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