WRITING OBSTACLE
Submitted by Maranda Quinn
Show a powerful emotion – love, grief, rage - in a quiet, everyday moment.
Instead of writing a dramatic and drawn out scene, think about how subtle actions and sensory details can carry the weight of the feeling.
Too Convincing
I’m talking to Hassan outside of Zihad’s sports coaching class.
Hassan looks pasts me and smirks. "Your girl is here."
I frown slightly. "What?"
He gestures behind me and I turn around.
"Ah." I nod when I see Noor walking over to me with a very.. unhappy face. "What’s up, Princess?" I stretch my arm out and pull her closer to my chest.
She groans in to it, "I hate my life. I’m going to kill myself. I hate my teacher. I hope he kills himself."
"Presentation?" I ask, resting my head on hers.
I inhale her scent. She has this signature smell and I can never put my finger on what it actually smells like. All I know is that it smells good.
"Mhm," she nods against my chest. She pulls away, "How’d you know?"
"You cursed yours and your teacher’s life."
"You know," Hassan speaks up, "For two people who claim that they are fake dating, you sure seem like it’s real."
I grin and wink. "We’re just such amazing actors, Hassan."
"Nothing more," Noor’s crosses her arms and leans against the outside the door.
Hassan raises an eyebrow, "You sure?"
Zihad walks out of the door. "What are we talking about?" He drapes an arm over Hassan.
"Nothing-"
Hassan cuts me off, "We’re talking about how Noor and Ayan are a bit too convincing."
"Oh yeah," Zihad snorts. "Definitely."
We both shoot a small glare at my two friends.
"Come on," Hassan deadpans. "You still wear the same bracelet she gave you when you two were twelve," he gestures towards the silver chain.
"It’s a nice chain," I defend.
"And you," he turns to Noor. "Why is it that Ayan is the first person you went to for comfort?"
Noor shrugs. "He was the first person I saw."
"And," I wrap an arm around her shoulder. "I am a very comforting person."
"Get your arm off of me before I rip it off."
"Okay," I nod and pull away immediately.
(Based off of my WIP)