Ten Weeks of Writers Prep, and a Challenge: Week Eight!

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Ten Weeks of Writers Prep

Week Eight: Minions!

No, we're not talking about the little yellow ones in overalls, though they do count.

Once again, to each coin face there is another side. Just like your protagonist, your antagonist needs certain characteristics covered that they may not themselves possess. In this case, it may mean strength in brute muscle or strength in numbers, it may mean having someone who shares their vision, or perhaps someone who puts them in their place now and again, or it can be someone who can be their eyes and ears, their spy on the other side.

Sometimes, they just need someone to lighten the dark and gloom of their character with a little comedic relief. Voldemort (Harry Potter) needed his death-hunters to offer up more show of force and to continue things when he was not around, Mr. Burns (Simpsons) needed Smithers to humanize him to viewers, and Sauron (Lord of the Rings) needed his orcs to pillage and plunder and create general chaos and mayhem. Much like side-kicks, evil minions and associates serve a purpose.

Who are some minions you can offer your antagonist to help them in their vision? Do they follow out of loyalty? Out of fear? Out of familial obligation? In what way can they complete your antagonist? What challenges to they offer your protagonist?

Have fun! And don't forget to give your minions cause for being on the side they are, after all, the dark side has cookies! Or was that a lie? I still haven't gotten mine.... darnit!

Ten Weeks of Challenges

Week Eight: Green Changes!

This weeks writing challenge involved minions, but our alternative challenges are about doing good in the world, not bad. So for the purpose of this weeks challenge, we're going to picture Gru and his Minions post children. Imagine one of the girls comes home from school crying about having heard that the world is dying. Well, Gru would want her to stop crying so he might send his minions running around trying to find ways to be more green. (If you're lost, I highly recommend watching the Despicable Me movies.) You can bet they'd find a lot of different things they could do, because there are so many options out there! That being said, it's unlikely that you have a bunch of little yellow minions running around that could figure this out for you, and I know, change can be difficult, so I don't want to send you on a path too drastic that you'll give up in one week.

No, this weeks challenge is to make ONE environmentally friendly change to your habits. Just one. When you see it isn't too difficult, you can make more changes later, the point here is to succeed.

So, what are some examples of little things you can change? Well, how about making it a habit to carry around a reusable water bottle everywhere you go? Personally, I have one at work, and one at home that I bring with me on the go. Not only has this stopped me from buying any water bottles for the past... eesh, has it been several years already?- but it also reminds me to drink water and stay hydrated. The same can be done with reusable coffee mugs.

Another option is avoiding plastic bags whenever you can. I've taken to making sure I have a reusable bag in my purse for spontaneous purchases, but I also have some in a drawer at work, and by the door at home for when I go do groceries. These can be kept in the car, (remember to hang them up on the door knob after you've put the groceries away so you can remember to put them back in the car when you go out), so that they're always with you. Furthermore, if you're like me and wash your produce before use anyway, do you really need those little clear plastic bags in the produce isles? I just put mine in the cart.

Walking, carpooling, planting flowers for bees, adopting a highway, minimizing waste, starting a compost, there are a lot of things we can do in our lives that add up and make a difference. A reusable water bottle may not seem like much, but how many water bottles have I ignored buying over the course of seven years?

Anyway, that is your challenge should you choose to accept it. As always, I invite you to share your ideas and experiences down below or via email.

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Hey Ramblers! Whether you are a writer or not, I hope you enjoy week eight of your challenge. As always, feel free to comment below or email me at thebrastreetrambler@gmail.com to share your experiences or feedback.

Cheers!

The Bra Street Rambler

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