Hello writers. It’s so good to have you here. I’m very excited to share this week's creative writing exercise. The idea behind these exercises is to offer you a fun and creative way to engage with the book. And to give you the chance to bring some of your own imagination into what you’re reading. I really hope to read what you’ve come up with, so please, please, make sure to share it in the comments :)
In chapter 6, the Which, Faintly Macabre tells Milo and Tock (and us readers!) a story. Besides being a genuinely interesting story, it happens to do a lot of narrative work in the book. It gives us context, background, and supports the plot, basically the action or events of the book by giving Milo something to work towards. In this case, the rescue of two problem solving princesses.
Now that Milo knows the history of the Kingdom and Rhyme and Reason’s banishment, this leads him on his journey to bring them back. As a character he becomes less of an outside observer, and more of an active participant.
Now, if I can just gush for a moment, I love this part of the book. Sure this story gives context and introduces more opportunities for this things to take place. All good things. But more importantly, Milo is getting INVOLVED in something and will probably, hopefully, use some insight, knowledge and imagination to help him along. And why do I love that so much? Because learning, opening yourself up to new talents and experiences requires participation. And that is what The Love of Words is all about.
So for your creative exercise, I have two options for you.
Easy-
Make up a origin story for the place you live. This would include whatever you can imagine for how your town, or city came to be. This is different from the “history” of where you live because we are not just inventing facts about a place, we are putting them into a story! Who are the characters and what situation links the events together? In the case of The Phantom Tollbooth it is a father and his disagreeing sons. So ask yourself, what is the story you are centering this history around? I leave that to you.
Challenging-
For a more challenging option, create a backstory for a fictional world. Take it one step further by inventing a city or town and telling the story about how and why it is the way it is today. And if you have any questions, or need clarification, drop me a comment and I’ll get back to you.
I can’t wait to read all the wonderful backstories you come up with! Don’t forget to post them or share with a friend.
The Phantom Tollbooth 4/8