Prompt #39

I watched a few episode of a foreign TV show about a guy with Alexithymia (or emotional blindness) trying to fall in love. I did not finish the show, but it did get me thinking about a range of emotion and how it affects the other party in the scene if a character’s range is limited or too vast. So we’ll play around with that today.

Take about 30-45 seconds and make a list of 5 or more emotions.

Write a short scene (10 lines or less) between 2 characters. Pick two emotions for Character A to experience/embody throughout the scene and two for Character B. Try to identify their core conflict.

Then, write the same scenario, but Character A embodies one singular emotion. How does this affect Character B’s behavior in the scene? Why is Character A so consistent no matter what Character B says or does?

Write it again, but Character A can experience/embody two emotions, and Character B experiences/embodies all five throughout the scene. Embrace the emotional rollercoaster. How can you trigger the emotional shifts for that character? This one will be challenging but also silly, so have fun with it!

Comment with any questions you may have. Set a timer. Write for at least 10 minutes.

Share this prompt to write with a friend!

I’m watching the episode of Dirty Money about the Maple Syrup Heist in Canada.

I’m re-reading some of my favorite poems by Nikki Giovanni. 

I’m listening to doechii doechii doechii doechii

How did it go? This is my first time trying something like this, too! Please share your experiences by writing in the comments or emailing me!

Also, if you didn’t catch my announcement about my TV Writing Writing Sprint in January, read about it here! I’d love to have you join us!

See ya next week :)