Writers Toolbox

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Writers Toolbox

• Tools for Writing

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Recalling a Frightening Incident

• When I was eight, I decided to jump from the high
  dive at the Big-T swimming pool in Missoula.
  This would be my first jump from the high dive.
  All my friends had already done it. The high dive
  stood twenty feet above the pool. I slowly made
  the climb up the ladder. With each step, my
  doubts grew. By the time I reached the top, I had
  convinced myself that I didnt want to jump. I
  walked to the edge of the diving board and looked
  at the water below. No way, I thought. I turned
  back toward the ladder but a line had formed and
  some kid was shouting for me to hurry up. I
  walked back to the edge and again looked to the
  water below. It seemed miles away. The kid was
  shouting and people were beginning to stare. I
  jumped.

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Snapshots

• Describe physical characteristics of setting
• Move from general to specific, becoming
  increasingly detailed, especially with relevant
  information

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Snapshots

• Zooming
• Freeze the storys most exciting momentas if you
  were taking a Snapshot of that moment
• Begin with description of the general setting
• Zoom in and allow your descriptions to become
  increasingly detailed
• Zoom againallow description to become even more
  detailed
• Rememberthis is a Snapshota picture frozen in
  time. Do not sequence the action.

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Snapshots
Lifeguard stands stood on both sides of the pool,
bright red and white umbrellas casting shadows
over each of them. A boy stood on the high dive
which extended over the north end of the
pool Another boy stood on the ladder while a line
collected at the bottom
The sun shined brilliantly A chain link fence
surrounded the public swimming pool. People
filled the pool and lined the sides.
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Snapshots
The turquoise colored diving board was textured
with a slip-proof coating, leaving a rough
texture. Silver rungs, dappled with drips of
water, stretched from the hot ground to the
diving board. I stood at the edge of the board,
staring into the water below. A kid stood near
the top of the ladder, his head peering over the
diving board.
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Snapshots
Clinging to the rails, the kid at the top of the
ladder gritted his teeth and furrowed his brows.
His flushed cheeks seemed to make his red hair
grow even redder. He had what seemed to be bread
stuck between his teeth and he spout words of
anger, demanding that I hurry and jump.