It’s often said that the truth is stranger than fiction. When we are brutally honest, reveal our secrets and get in touch with the deepest parts of ourselves, it can make stories and poetry that touch and surprise our readers.

In this exercise, let’s write something substantial using the heart method and apply some of the other lessons we’ve learned on this course!

Exercise #12:

1. Let’s start by writing down something for each of these prompts. Take a moment to think about each one and don’t worry - this is just for you and you won’t share it with anyone unless you want to! 

Be honest and tell the truth as simple and clearly as you can.

• Write down something you did which you regretted.
• Write down something embarrassing that happened to you.
• Write down the last time you cried.
• Write down a secret you’ve never told anyone before.
• Write down a time you wish something had gone differently.
• Write down the name of the person you miss the most.

2. Next, let’s use the cut up machine to generate some new material!

Go back to the cut up machine here: http://www.languageisavirus.com/cutupmachine.php#.XpR_UFNKjdc

Cut and paste three or more different sources into the cut up machine to create some weird text! You can use articles, poems, stories, song lyrics, wikipedia pages or some of your earlier work! Try and use some varied material to get some truly strange text!

3. Write a short piece called “The Confession” by using the truthful details you used combined with the material from the cut up machine. 

You can write a poem, a short story, a piece of nonfiction or some hybrid! The only rule is that you must use material both the cut up machine and the truthful answers you gave.

Write for up to fifteen minutes and wherever possible, try to use the heart method to be honest, be frank and tell the truth.