LESSON 3.6
Create the Old Section

Grades 7 - Adult

Remember how you decided what the hero was like in the story about the talking dog?

You looked at “talking dog” and decided it is made up of

talking   +    dog

You then decided that the hero could be

I + talking
or
I + dog

Maybe your hero had trouble talking or was afraid of public speaking. Then—

Or maybe the hero had a problem with a dog.  Maybe it ran away or died. 

Creating Main Character from Troublemaker

Here is what the story of the tiny man of mirrors looks like so far:

In the story, you found a tiny man of mirrors in a buried treasure chest.  That is made up of the following (among other things):

Pirates
Treasure
Being small
Mirrors
Finding things

You are the main character. Maybe you loved playing pirate. Perhaps you and your sisters even made pirate costumes one day.  Then your table could look like this:

Or maybe you are good at finding things.  Then you move “finding “things” to the LH.

Creating Main Character from Why Section

A second way to create the main character is to work from the Why section. The problem the tiny man of mirrors caused is that he reflects people’s souls. Therefore, you could have the main character:

  • having religious doubts
  • be an apprentice monk or nun
  • be about to join a church.

However, be careful when creating the main character based on the Why Section. If, say, the main character can already see into people’s souls, then the story probably will not work – both the main character and the troublemaker will have the same ability.

Task 3.6.1 – Class

Look at your idea from Lesson 3.5.  Then:

  1. Identify 2-5 ideas that are part of the troublemaker (RH)
  2. Move one of those to the main character (LH) box.  It must not be make-believe.  It needs to be something you have done.
  3. Fill in the box where there are question marks.

Task 3.6.2 – Class

Create a SIMPLE first sentence that tells how you felt about whatever you chose to move into the RH box.

For example (for the tiny man of mirrors story):

  1. I have always loved finding things.
  2. I like finding things.
  3. I’m good at finding things.
  4. I always hated it when we had to look everywhere when my dad lost something. 
  5. I had just entered the Convent of Our Holy Mother three days ago, and already I was wondering if I had made a mistake. 

Now it’s your turn.

      1. Start with I
      2. Circle a word below or use a word of your own.
      3. Tell us how you felt about whatever you chose. Just say a simple sentence.

Task 3.6.3 – Class

Choose 1-2 experiences you had about your first sentence.  Tell your small group. 

  • What happened doesn’t have to be “special.”
  • What happened must be true.

For example:

First sentence: I always hated it when we had to look for things my dad lost.

      1. He lost his glasses.
      2. He lost his car.

Task 3.6.4 – Small Group

Divide up into small groups.

Tell your group about the things you did.

Use the news questions:

Who else was there?
What happened?
Where did it happen?
When did it happen?
How did you feel about it?

Example:

1st sentence: I am good at finding things.

Who was there?                I was by myself
What happened?               I found a rare book
Where did it happen?             Kansas                       
How did you feel about it?     I was excited

The others in your group will help you identify hidden questions.  You are to answer them.

Who else was there?
What does he or she look like?
What else was going on?
Where did it happen exactly?
When did it happen exactly?
How did you feel about it?

Example:

1st sentence: I am good at finding things.

I found a rare book.
What kind?

Shakespeare’s play
What did it look like?             Old
How old were you?                 Five
What summer?                        Just before I went into kindergarten
What time of year?                 Summer
What did you do?                   I ran and showed it to my mom

 

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