Assignment task:
Let's practice using dashes for creative writing! Write a 200 to 400 word piece of short fiction in the voice of somebody speaking disjointedly. Try to use dashes to convey the rhythm of their speech. You can use any of the prompts below, or come up with a situation on your own. (Tip: you will have better results if you read it to yourself out loud before turning it in.)
Suggestions:
1. Write as someone who just got caught in the act doing something they weren't supposed to. Let them try to explain.
2. Write as somebody lacking in self-confidence who keeps stuttering or second-guessing themselves, but who then tries to pick up their train of thought. Maybe they are expressing their feelings for the person they have a crush on, or maybe they are trying to bring up a delicate issue to their boss.
3. Write as someone in an impaired state of mind-maybe they are tired, overexcited, drunk, high, or hung-over-who really wants to tell someone something, and it can't wait.