"No one has yet realized
the wealth of sympathy, the kindness and generosity hidden in the soul
of a child."
-- Emma Goldman
1. Write about a character
expressing sympathy for something seemingly small (a list below follows
to help give you ideas) using dialogue. Avoid cliche, sentimentality, and
melodrama. When you're done, read what you wrote aloud. Does it ring true?
If not, try again.
An old pet dies
A child's favourite
doll is lost
A car is stolen
Due to blizzard, someone
can't make it home for Christmas
A high school senior
doesn't get into the college of choice
2. Write a one page scene
in which a character feels sympathy for someone else, even though he/she
doesn't want to. Don't use the words "sympathy" or "sorry." Clue the reader
in to the character's true feelings with other word choices.
3. Choose a general category
of people. Write a one page, first person narration by someone from that
group. Address it to another member of that group who is less insightful,
less sympathetic. End the narration with realization (eg. who amoung us
is perfect) that shows sympathy for the individual as well as for everyone
in the group.