Archive for the 'Writing samples' Category

Flash Fiction

May 15, 2008

Need a little help on this. Give it a read and tell me what you think. I’m trying to keep it short. Around 500 words. – Roi

The Monkey Story

“You’ll never get that monkey to fly.” The scientist just sighed at me. “He’s not supposed to fly. This is a glider. He will gently sail. And more importantly, this not a monkey. He is a chimpanzee. A primate.”

Primate or not, I never considered my hike across the ridge of Cloudland Canyon to lead me to a chimp strapped to hang glider. The scientist went back to filling in notes on his clipboard. ”Has he got a name?” I asked.

”Russell.” He replied as if I was trying his patience.

”Hi Russell.” The chimp flashed his teeth and nodded. “So what are you guys doing out here in nature? Shouldn’t he be in a lab or something?” The scientist slammed the clipboard against his thigh.

“We are conducting field tests. Russell has trained in simulators for three months. As you see, he has monitoring equipment on him, and we will record his moves and physical data.” He pointed to a laptop on the ground near the hiking trail.

”Yeah, I see he’s wearing a lot of wires on his body.” I leaned in to touch one of the wires on Russell’s chest, but the scientist grabbed my hand and pulled me back.

“Don’t touch him. He cannot be distracted. We’re about to begin. Russell will maneuver the glider through the valley and land to where my assistant is waiting for him at the bottom of the canyon. You are witnessing a great achievement in science. Ready, Russell?” Russell responded with a thumbs up and a hoot.

He ripped off all the wires from his body dropping them in a pile by the scientist’s feet. Then he ran that glider off the top of the cliff, dipping slightly in the breeze then rising up over our heads. I heard Russell give a hoot of happiness as the glider continued to climb above the valley.

Now, I’m no scientist, so I can’t explain this part, but that monkey managed to get that glider to fly. And he flew right over the valley and into the sunset.

Exercise in Laundromat Dialogue

April 24, 2008

I found this post under the NYC Craigslist writing gigs section:

T.V sitcom writer needed
Reply to: gigs-650920238@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-04-21, 5:14PM

Up & coming production team pitching a sitcom to top networks is seeking a witty writer for our comedy. The pilot has already been written and we are looking for a new writer to come on board and pick up the additional episodes.
Looking for an honest, committed and funny BFA/MFA (Creative Writing/Literature) writer. Enjoys or understands the comedy of The Office, Curb your Enthusiasm, and Arrested Development.
To apply: Please write a brief (1-2 page) dialogue about two Spanish people in a laundromat.

Let’s all do the exercise for good measure and if you want, send away to the Craigslist gods…