Many years ago I was given a carved sandalwood box. When I opened it, I discovered that it contained a collection of smaller boxes, neatly fitted into the space. My students knew me well. I still use this collection of boxes. Each box, just like the one that holds them, is filled with surprises.
It is really useful to have a collection of little boxes. They can often be found in charity shops and even in the kitchen [more about that later]. Here is one way to use them.
Begin, just as we did with the pumpkins in the last post, by describing the outside of the box. Notice its size and shape. How does it feel in your hand? How is it decorated? Are there any scratches or tears? This is a way of focusing on the box and giving yourself some thinking time, some time for the story of the box to enter your mind.
Next comes the leap of the imagination. What is inside the box? [I suggest that you do not open the box.] Who owns the box? Where is the box now? Has it always been there? Start with a short string of questions like this.
We quite often start this activity by discussing the stories of one box, as an example, and then giving writers time to choose the box they wish to have at the centre of their own story.
I now have a big enough collection of boxes for everyone to have a box to themselves, but writers can share. And you could use just one box. Each person is likely to come up with a different idea as long as you encourage multiple ideas in the preparation stages. One of my favourite stories was about a fairy trapped in the tiny silver box. Each time I look at it, I almost believe that the fairy is trapped there still.
Writing Box 