gildedbearediting
gildedbearediting
Gilded Bear Editing
86 posts
Aspiring Editor, rookie blogger.
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
gildedbearediting · 29 days ago
Text
Writing Exercise: The Blender
Down to the last two cue card writing exercises. For this one, combine two classic opening lines. This could be anything from a children’s book, classic tale, fable, or otherwise. I’ve got a list below to help. Once upon a time… It was a dark and stormy night… In a land far, far away… There once was… It all began when… A long, long time ago… Many years ago in a village… Back when the…
1 note · View note
gildedbearediting · 30 days ago
Text
Writing Exercise: Dialogue
This is the last of the cue card exercises that I had huddled away. If you remember seeing any of these prompts anywhere, let me know in the comments. That way, I can give credit where it’s due. Pick a setting and two characters from below: Footsteps / Shoes Monkey Clean underwear Armani purse Old dog Cotton Ball Attic Old House Graveyard Dishwasher On a Boat In a Tunnel Pick a…
0 notes
gildedbearediting · 1 month ago
Text
Writing Exercise: Symbology
With this cue card exercise, we’re going to go back to another writing exercise from a few weeks ago. If this is your first time here then why not swing by that post to get started, then come back here? Start off by choosing one of the below (or brainstorming one): Animals Perfume Cars Jazz Music Homes Jewelry Weather Sci-Fi Movies Using the “secret story” acrostic, think about how to…
1 note · View note
gildedbearediting · 1 month ago
Text
Writing Exercise: Unleash Creativity
We’re within the home stretch of the cue card writing exercises, and this is one that I’ve seen authors touch on. This exercise reminds me of a game that I’d tried playing, Agony, and I realized how much I dislike playing horror games. An odd thing to admit when I love horror stories, urban legends, and horror movies. Thankfully, today’s exercise doesn’t need to rely solely on horror elements and…
1 note · View note
gildedbearediting · 1 month ago
Text
Writing Exercise: Memories
Today’s exercise will be in several parts. Don’t feel pressure to finish it all. If you want to focus on just one part that’s fine. Journal, aka Dear Diary Think of a time that stuck with you. This could be a time when you fought with a friend, went somewhere special with family, or did something special at school. Write a diary entry as if you’re writing from the perspective of your younger…
1 note · View note
gildedbearediting · 1 month ago
Text
Writing Exercise: Killer Clause
Create a character. Write a short history about them including a significant childhood memory, and their favourite season. Write about a nightmare and a dream that they’ve had. Then write a story about them dealing with a holiday in their favourite season. Are they visiting family, friends, or are they alone? How does their childhood memory affect their response to the holiday? Do they have…
0 notes
gildedbearediting · 1 month ago
Text
Writing Exercise: Fight Club
Another day, and another chance to pass along a cue card writing exercise. Happy birthday! A woman celebrating her 45th birthday gets a ‘plastic surgery makeover’ from her husband. What’s her reaction? How does she feel about herself? How does she feel about her husband? What does she think? How does she view their life? Is it the life she thought it would be? If she could describe herself…
1 note · View note
gildedbearediting · 1 month ago
Text
Writing Exercise: Letter to my Love
In this cue card exercise, there will be three steps. First, fill out the following details about Marlene, who’s in love with someone at prison. She has [blonde, brunette, ravenette, white, greying, dyed] hair, and [blue, green, brown, hazel, grey, heterochromia] eyes. She has a voice that’s like [pick your descriptor]. She loves [genre] music and [this] is her favourite movie star. She shops…
10 notes · View notes
gildedbearediting · 1 month ago
Text
Writing Exercise: Speculative Genres
Eight more cue card exercises to go. For today, I’m going to break into ten steps. Pick the genre: Fantasy or Sci-Fi. Next plot out: The Quest. (Ie, the quest for Dogs in Space was finding a new planet to inhabit. Invader Zim was to conquer and subjugate Earth before its destruction.) Name the Antagonist. Map out their goal. Do they want to destroy the world, pollute it, or invade and conquer?…
1 note · View note
gildedbearediting · 1 month ago
Text
Writing Exercise: Setting = Character
We’re in the last leg of the cue card exercises that I’ve got, and today’s exercise deals with characters and their setting. Specifically, how the character and setting can be intertwined. I’ve previously gone over this in my post, A Look At: Character and Setting. Ethel Wilson, George Bowering, and Sinclair Ross being three authors that tackle characters and their setting. With one character…
2 notes · View notes
gildedbearediting · 1 month ago
Text
Poetry Writing Exercises: Acrostic Technique
This cue card exercise is one that I’d hate having to do, but I loved the concept. Again, if anyone can refresh my memory on where I found my cue card writing exercises leave me a comment to help give credit where it’s due. For this exercise, use the phrase, “Welcome to my pity party” to create your poem. Use the letters as the beginning of each line or word. It’s ‘dealer’s choice’ for tone,…
0 notes
gildedbearediting · 1 month ago
Text
Writing Exercise: A Start and An End
This cue card exercise is similar to games that I’ve played in the past, and have continued playing even now. It’s a fun concept that can allow for genre-bending, and even more fun for those that like to guess the ending (and never get it right). Show the promise of a beginning and address it at the end. In other words, give readers the Oreo biscuits, hold the icing centre. For this one, use…
3 notes · View notes
gildedbearediting · 1 month ago
Text
Writing Exercise: Ode to my Knees
Here’s to another cue card writing exercise, and this one is for poetry writers. This one may stump some as it’s going to be a poem about your own body. Make a list of three of your body parts that you like, and three that you don’t like. Write a short poem about one that you like as if it’s the worst feature. Do the reverse for one you don’t like. It’s your choice of poetry structure. Bonus…
6 notes · View notes
gildedbearediting · 1 month ago
Text
Writing Exercise: Before I Die
Today’s cue card writing exercise had me thinking of that old 2007 movie, The Bucket List. The one with Morgan Freeman. I know others will think similarly, but let’s etch-a-sketch that movie from our brains for now. Write 10 things you want to do before you die. (Don’t feel like you need to write down ‘climb Mount Everest’ or ‘visit all seven of the wonders of the world.’ It’s okay to write…
0 notes
gildedbearediting · 1 month ago
Text
A Look At: We So Seldom Look on Love
We So Seldom Look on Love was written in first person present tense. It was written by Barbara Gowdy. It was mostly set in a small town in New Jersey within a flower store, morgue, and apartment.The main character has a brother that she describes as serious, remote, and loyal. Her brother’s wife hates her. Matt is a med student that falls in love with the main character knowing about her…
0 notes
gildedbearediting · 1 month ago
Text
Writing Exercise: Plotting Together
This cue card exercise is perfect for those that have trouble with plot, and mapping it out. With this exercise, I wanted to pair it down as much as I can without losing too much context. Yet, I couldn’t help myself in losing track of my thoughts a little. First, write your details for the following: Choose a Character Choose a Setting Choose an “Opposition” Character Choose a…
10 notes · View notes
gildedbearediting · 2 months ago
Text
Writing Exercise: Flashback
Today’s cue card writing exercise is straightforward and quick. Remember, if you recognize these cue card exercise then let me know where I got them from in order to properly credit the source. Alright, let’s get to it. Start with these memory prompts: 5 years ago… When I was a teen… My father used to… Keep it short, use the senses. Include important setting details and dialogue. You can use…
23 notes · View notes