Exploding the Moment Writing Workshop

What is it? Exploding the Moment is when a moment is slowed waaaay down for the purpose of painting a frame-by-frame picture for the reader.

How? 1. Select a sentence 2. Explode that sentence 3. Provide your reader with a frame-by-frame picture of the action

For example… Last week we went to my Grandmother’s in Calgary. I got up in the morning and put on my Calgary Flames t-shirt. I ate a bowl of cereal for breakfast. Then I packed my suitcase with my pyjamas, toothbrush, some clean clothes and a few toys. We all piled in the car. On the way, my Dad hit a patch of ice and slid into a tree. When we got to my Grandmother’s we had pizza for supper. I got to sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag. It was fun.

Which sentence to explode? Last week we went to my Grandmother’s in Calgary. I got up in the morning and put on my Calgary Flames t-shirt. I ate a bowl of cereal for breakfast. Then I packed my suitcase with my pyjamas, toothbrush, some clean clothes and a few toys. We all piled in the car. On the way, my Dad hit a patch of ice and slid into a tree. When we got to my Grandmother’s we had pizza for supper. I got to sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag. It was fun.

How could you explode this moment? On the way, my Dad hit a patch of ice and slid into a tree. Dad slammed on the breaks, but the car kept going. Slowly it slid sideways across the highway. Thunk! The front of the car slid into an apple tree. Dad took off his seatbelt and leaped out of the car to check the damage. He groaned when he saw the large V-shaped dent in the front bumper.

Practice! Explode the moments! I walked in the front doors of the school. I ate a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. I watched the snow fall from my bedroom window. I woke up in the middle of the night to thunder and lightning.