Roberta Writes – Teagan’s Creativity Challenge and a new artwork #writingprompt #art

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The Challenge

Creativity Challenge:
Getting to Know a Character

It can be hard to create well-rounded, real-seeming characters.  However, once you know what they would do in random circumstances, writing their stories gets easier.  I offer up this writing exercise.  From the point of view of a character, write a journal entry.  It’s even better if this journal is outside the timeline of your story.

Not Just for Writers!  If you are not a writer, pick a character from any story that you like.  If you like to cook, dish up something you think the character would like.  If you paint or draw, sketch out the character’s favorite room or place.  Or even draw the character.  You get the idea — make whatever you create something related to that character.  Then tell me what you’re going to do in a comment.  Or better yet, do your own blog post about it, and please link back to this one.

For my own response to this challenge I decided to write a journal entry for Daphne Moultrie from my “A Medium’s Peril” series.  My image collage below would be an “art” response to the challenge, with Daphne’s new gown and the pie she made.

The artwork

Picture caption: A bunch of red roses on a cross shaped grave within a cemetery filled with similar cross shaped graves.

This artwork is going to evolve into the cover of my forthcoming collection of paranormal, historical stories called And, the Grave Awaits.

You can view more of my artworks here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/art-gallery/

The challenge

This is an extract from the Journal of Kate Henderson from The Soldier and the Radium Girl.

From the journal of Kate Henderson 

I am all alone in the house tonight. I could have gone to a dance with Charlotte and some of the other girls, but I didn’t want too. I am very sad, and I do not want my melancholy to spoil their fun. The newspaper headlines seem to get worse every day and I don’t know if Jake is wounded or gassed, or even dead.  

There was no telegram for me today, but I think it is too soon. If there is bad news, it will only come tomorrow or the next day. 

My curtains are open, and a lovely breeze is coming through my open window. It is heavy with the scents of damp earth and blossoms. The lights of the town twinkle in bright lines in the darkness and I can hear faint strains of music. It is so peaceful and pleasant. Such a striking contrast with what I’ve read about life for our boys in the trenches.  

Jake doesn’t say much in his letters about the conditions, but Grace tells me her brother’s letters are full of complaints about the poor conditions of the dugouts. 

“Gilbert said the first thing they did when they first arrived was to clean the place up and get it as sanitary as possible. He says there are frequent inspections from battalion, regiment, and brigade officers to enforce the requirements for good sanitation. It’s a good thing as it will help stave off diseases,” Grace said. 

“He says life is a constant battle against the endless mud and water.” 

My days in the studio are busy but the working conditions are pleasant. The big windows let in lots of light and the girls are cheerful and good company. I almost feel guilty that I have such an interesting and safe job, compared to Jake who is fighting in France.  

I wonder where Jake is now and if he is safe and well. Is he thinking of me? I wish he was here. 

You can join in Teagan’s challenge here: https://teagansbooks.com/2023/11/15/wednesday-writing-creativity-challenge-1920s-recipe/

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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37 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Teagan’s Creativity Challenge and a new artwork #writingprompt #art”

  4. This is fab, Robbie! I love the picture (you never cease to amaze me with your talent). It is exciting to hear that it shall be the cover of your forthcoming book. The paragraph here that begins with, “My curtains are open…” drew me into the moment. Well done.

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    1. HI Annette, I am glad you like this picture. I drew it specifically as the cover of this forthcoming book. That paragraph seemed correct to me. Kate is young and young people cannot stay in dark places for long periods. They are distracted by the simple joys of life. Well, that is how I see young people.

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  5. Hi Robbie. I’m happy that you took the creativity challenge — and hope it was somehow helpful to you. Huge thanks for linking to my post and for the mention. This journal entry certainly made Kate come to life for me. A sense of foreboding comes through with just the right delicate touch.
    Good luck with the upcoming collection. I hope it comes together in a stress-free way.
    Hugs.

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      1. The past year you’ve had a lot more going on in your life than writing related things. Sometimes writing has to take a backseat. No matter how long we’ve been working on projects, even when we state that fact, when a few come to completion at once, everyone is amazed (and some doubtful) at how much we’ve done “in such a short time.” LOL.

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          1. I don’t blame you. (I don’t think I’d be able to write or read about the dying girls. But that’s a flaw in me.) An alternative way to approach that would be to write about the POV character (or applicable character) with the dead girls’ loved ones. About the effect on those left behind instead. That’s also quite emotional. I’m just babbling, not advising. I know you’ll do something wonderful. Hugs.

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        1. I have written a lot of poetry this year so I have another book nearly ready. It includes six of Michael’s poems. I’ve also nearly finished my baking book and I’ve started with the illustrations for the next Southern African Safari series book about elephants. I’m also doing illustrations for three children’s books by Kaye Lynne Booth.

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  13. Terrific diary entry, Roberta!
    “The Soldier and the Radium Girl”, is that something you already wrote?
    The art for “And, the Grave Awaits” looks totally right, and you say it is evolving.
    You did great with this challenge.
    I’m going to do one, too, but it’s to go with a post that I’m just about to start drawing the pics for.
    Still, it will be helpful for me when the time arrives.

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    1. Hi Resa, The Soldier and the Radium Girl is 50,000 words currently. I got stuck with the ending because I tried to change it from my original idea. Now that I’ve decided to go back to my original plan, I can write again (on this book). I’m glad you like the artwork, I am pleased with my combo of coloured pencil and charcoal. I really like charcoal. I look forward to your diary entry and the new pictures. I am now very curious.

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      1. 50,000 words…right on!
        I like charcoal, too, but I make such a mess …. well, I suppose the mess itself is art of sorts.

        Yeah… the big challenge in my next drawings will be understanding how to depict white, when the paper is white.
        Okay, back to my review/interview!

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