The 'What If?' Exercise. · The W.R.I.T.E. Society Cafe

The 'What If?' Exercise.

Let's shake things up a little this weekend.

Sometimes we get so focused on ‘finishing’ our stories that we forget to ‘play’ with them. We forget that writing can be curious, experimental, a little wild.

So here's your weekend creative spark: The 'What If?' Exercise.

Take a scene you've already written—or one you're about to write—and ask yourself: *What if I flipped one thing?*

What if it happened at night instead of day?

What if the character said 'yes' instead of 'no'?

What if the setting was completely different?

What if the tone shifted from serious to absurd (or vice versa)?

You're not rewriting your whole book. You're just playing. Exploring. Seeing what happens when you give yourself permission to try something unexpected.

Here's the exercise:

1. Pick one scene (even a paragraph works).

2. Change *one* element—time, setting, tone, a character's choice, the weather, anything.

3. Rewrite it quickly. No editing. Just see where it takes you.

4. Notice what surprises you.

You might discover something that makes your story stronger. Or you might just have fun. Either way, you win.

Drop a comment and tell us: what are you flipping this weekend? 👇

Happy experimenting. ✨

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