Contrast & juxtaposition

So you understand how to pace yourself, the lesson is divided into four topics:

• Contrast as a concept: Just looking at images, reading, and thinking—no writing.
• Contrast helps us perceive...: Nine writing exercises—a long stretch.
• Contrast creates emotional effects: Three exercises.
• Contrast creates conflict: Three more exercises.

At the end, we are going to pull everything you've written into one giant checkpoint piece that you can either submit as a whole, or cut down to your top picks.

Before you start writing, choose a 'world' you want to spend time in.

It can be:

• a setting with which you are familiar
• a setting that you are interested in but need to research as you write, or
• a completely imaginary world you can make up as you go.

It doesn't matter, just pick one and stick with it.

Every exercise in this lesson has two worked examples. 

One is set in the world of a fishing boat, inspired by this image:

(By Nick Hedges)

The other is set in the world of a suburban supermarket, inspired by this image:

(By William Egglestone)

• Use each writing exercise to build your world.
• You can add characters, places, events as you go, but stay in the same world. 
• You can jump around in time and perspective—don't worry about writing in a linear order.
• However, if you see an opportunity to progress a story or theme, do it! (Just don't force yourself.) 
• The main thing to focus on is using contrast and building your world.