To get into the right mood, we watch a short clip:

 

We talk about:

  • What did the guy see?
  • What do you think happened in the house across from him?
  • What do you think will happen to the curious guy filming?
  • Do you know your neighbours? What do you know about them?
  • How much are you allowed to ”spy” on people, or eavesdrop… really?

Now let’s write a short three part story.

PART 1: introduction. You come home after work/ school one day. Going home/ coming home was a bit scary, something doesn´t feel right…

Decide where you are and what time of day it is, BUT DON´T WRITE IT, describe it. (That is, don’t write ”it is night in the jungle” instead write ”the darkness is all around me, the trees are mere siluetts, and a distant sound of water falling is all I hear”.

PART 2: the problem. By chance you accidentally see someone in the house across from you having some kind of trouble – decide what problem. Make sure to describe the FEELINGS AND ACTIONS of the characters…

  • What are you feeling? How does that show itself? What do you do and how do you do it?
  • The perpetrator – what is she/ he feeling? Anger? Bitterness? How does that show it self?
  • The victim – what is she/ he feeling? Scared? Sad? In pain? How does that show it self?

PART 3: the drama. What happens then? Does the perpetrator see you? Do you decide to try to help? Does the victim get away?

The rest of the story is yours, but remember to write with feelings, actions and bring in the environment.

  • How can you express how someone is looking at you?
  • How does it feel when someone gives you different ”looks”?
  • In how many ways can a person move? How do they move in stairs, in the street, on wet ground, when it is cold, etc.
  • The environment can help the text enhance the readers feelings. Can you somehow use that in your story?