Let‘s create a Cadavre Exquis!

If you don‘t know, a cadavre exquis is an enjoyable collaborative writing exercise. Traditionally, it begins with every player writing a sentence on a sheet of paper (secretly). It should begin a story. Then, the sentence is concealed (typically by folding the sheet) and passed to the next player who then writes another sentence. The second player doesn‘t know the first sentence - and that‘s the important part. The same steps continue until every player had a chance to contribute and the stories are read aloud.

Today, I propose a variation on that concept: a “solo“ cadavre exquis using books. Here is how it works. Choose a first book at random, a page at random and a sentence at random. Write it down. Choose another book, another page and find a second sentence. Try to choose a sentence that could make sense with the previous one. Then, repeat the same process as long as you wish.

Better show with an example. Ready?

I will set beforehand that our story will be 10 sentences long. Looking at my bookshelf, a collection of Sherlock Holmes stories grabs my attention. Let‘s take a random page from “The Sign of the Four“. In chapter 1, page 5 in my edition, we have our first random sentence:

“I sprang from my chair and limped impatiently about the room with considerable bitterness in my heart.“

An interesting start with a focus on immediate action.

Let‘s continue with Plutarch‘s “Parallel Lives“. I chose randomly the “Life of Numa“. Let me investigate page 8 in my edition. That passage entices me:

“As if God knew that he was coming and rejoiced at it.“

I replace “the god“ with “God“, since the first sentence and Sherlock Holmes makes me think rather of a monotheist society instead of a polytheist one. No other reasons.

But that sentence feels a bit incomplete, we need action and progress. I am sure, Robert E. Howard‘ Conan stories will offer that. Let me grab my Conan collection. In the story “The People of the Black Circle“, I like this sentence:

“The man shrugged his broad shoulders and turned back into the arabesque chamber.“

Sure, we would need to harmonize first/third person voices in our story and probably change the sentence order but I like it.

Asimov‘s Foundation? Asimov‘s Foundation. Part 4, Chapter 3, page 2. This sentence has potential (slightly modified):

“He knew that nothing would happen to him as long as the Grand Master had the scent of gold in his nose.“

We have a lot of intrigue for now. I am sure that some lines from Raymond Chandler will continue this trend. “The Big Sleep“. Page 79 in my edition.

“He drew a long slow breath and let it out silently. Then he leaned back, crossed his long legs and held the Colt on his knee.“

Two sentences, I know.

What about some resolution? Faust, Chapter 25 (the dungeon).

“One step, and he would be free at last.“

Interesting. With these sentences, I think I have enough juice to write a small story with my additions. Let see:

A sudden crack rose through the lingering air. The man sprang from his chair and limped impatiently about the room with considerable bitterness in his heart. Was it already time? As silence crept back, the man shrugged his broad shoulders and turned back into the arabesque chamber. He drew a long slow breath and let it out silently. Then he leaned back, crossed his long legs and held the Colt on his knee. He knew that nothing would happen to him as long as the Grand Master had the scent of gold in his nose. And yet, a second knell brought him back to the doorway. It was time. As if God knew that he was coming and rejoiced at it. One step, and he would be free at last.

And… that is all! Not bad for a 10-minute exercise? I do it from time to time and always find it very enjoyable. Feel free to try on your know. Remember: you shouldn‘t feel constricted by the rules. They are here only to focus your mind. Bend and break as you see fit.

For the rest, thank you as always and see you next time.