For a handful of exercises this month, we’ll look to works from the long and living legacy of Japanese literature for sparks of inspiration.

For today’s ten-minute writing exercise:

In the Akutagawa short story “In a Grove,” which was adapted into the movie Rashomon, a series of characters give testimony on the events leading up to the violent death of a young samurai.

Tell the story of Cinderella, or another story familiar to you, in a series of different characters’ points of view. Remember that different characters will have different entrance and exit points in relation to the story.

Our themes this month are:

• First lines and beginnings
• The 3am Epiphany by Brian Kitely
• Sparks from Japanese literature
• Borrowed forms

We’ll also be writing a complete work of flash fiction together the week of Monday, January 20 – Sunday, January 26. We’ll spend just ten minutes a day writing, and exit the week with a complete work of flash fiction of ~900-1200 words. No pre-work needed, and as always, zero homework.

See you tomorrow for a new day of writing!!