Exercise In Class

The Frog is ours and it will turn into a Princess because it is a metaphor for our writing. So we're supposed to take care of it then it will be nurtured.

EXERCISE: In 5 minutes, write a short story that must feature in the first line, the following 3 words - candle, rope and love. Ignore grammar if need be, disregard commas, etc.

"Candle, rope, love" - Those were the 3 words he had scrawled across one of the walls of the roo in blood. Oh yes, I shouldn't really say "he" should I? The Left Hand of Doom could be a woman for all we know, but the case profile seems to hint that the serial killer is a man. The M.O. as usual for is murder is the same, a sledgehammer swung straight down upon a naked girl held down on a workbench, limbs held fast by metal vices,"

- At this point the teach introduced a word: BLUE, which we were to use -

"The blue paint he splashes over their bodies after he had fucked their lifeless bodies was caked dry and made the grisly sight somewhat artsy. Even Warhol couldn't top this."

All in five minutes, while everyone else wrote splendidly lofty prose I was busy thinking about crime fiction that makes no sense. And even worse reading material. But this exercise was to prove a point that Writer's Block can be cured.

Then the next exercise after lunch came and it was to do with the following scenario:

You know a guy, but he's just an acquaintance you've borrowed a book from. You go to his apartment in a 20-storey building to find that he's not home. His mom takes the book from you, and says he'll be back soon. You say you'll come back after because want to discuss some ideas with him. You go up to the roof to enjoy the view and there your friend is, clear as day, standing on the parapet about to leap. What do you say to him (in 100 words or less)?

Hey dude, I came by to return your book, your mom's waiting for you to come back. How's the view from there? I came up to catch a glimpse, is that a better way to experience the view? I wouldn't know, I don't live in a 20-storey building. Hey, if you don't mind, could we talk about the book first before catching the view, I need to submit the homework, even if you don't seem keen on doing it anymore. And oh, if you're really really really serious about the view, could you wait till I've left the building? I don't want to give a statement and all that. And oh, do leave a note for your family as well, explanations make it more convenient for the Police investigation and your family's grieving process. And oh, carbon monoxide poisoning is easier and painless. But leave me out of that as well.

Self-serving bastard. Heh.

BEST MOMENT OF THE DAY:
When Nuria delivered her version of the Suicide-Prevention-Speech, in all its Singaporean Glory. See her blog for the speech. Imagine a room filled with Indians all stumped as the first line drops and 4 Singaporeans burst out in laughter (some much louder than others), all of them bewildered as Nuri (hahahahaha, she hates it when her BFF calls her that) drops line after line of Singlish-Goodness. Then I had to do the translation.