Step One: Analyze the part of the story where the Rascal bothers the young couple. Focus on how the young woman (Grandmother) felt. What was she thinking when the Rascal pestered her and her new husband? How did she feel about the Rascal? How did she feel about her husband at that moment? What do you imagine she thought and said out loud?

Step Two: You are going to write a short narrative. You will be re-writing the scene with the Rascal, but this time it will be told from Grandmother’s point of view. Remember, Grandmother is a young bride, not old as she is in the memoir we have read.

EXAMPLE:

The Rascal had been drinking at the bar when he looked up and saw a beautiful young woman enter the restaurant with a timid, skinny man. Rascal snorted to himself and yelled, “Hey Wimpy, did you forget to eat your spinach today?”

Tuan’s face reddened, and he looked down in shame. He leaned to his young bride and said timidly, “Dear, I think we should leave now.” His bride, A’nh, was far from embarrassed. She just wanted to eat her meal in peace. “Bug off,” she snarled at the Rascal. A’nh was annoyed that the Rascal was bothering them, but she tried not to get angry, as she didn’t want to have her meal completely ruined.

The Rascal suddenly became very interested in winning over A’nh, and getting rid of her annoying husband. He walked slowly up to A’nh and whispered, “

Important Items to Focus on: You will need to add details and descriptive words, focusing on including a lot of dialogue. You can give the characters names based on the meanings listed below. Study the example of the narrative I have written below, and match the style of writing.

The most important thing to include is lots of dialogue! Make up things that would be appropriate for the characters to say in this situation. Try not to focus on the physical action as much as writing words that your characters would say to each other. Remember: your goal is to include lots of dialogue! Try to use correct punctuation when people are speaking to each other. (See my example for clues as how to write dialogue correctly.)

Creative Idea:Instead of writing your version of this scene, you can write the same scene, but have it take place in a different setting. Just make sure you have a young couple and a bully in your setting. For example, If you have a scene take place in a Western bar, make sure the actions and dialogue match the setting. If you have a science fiction story, make sure the actions and dialogue match the setting!

Ideas for names to choose that are common Vietnamese names for women and men:

Woman’s Name / Meaning
Ha`ng / angel in the full moon
Ai' / beloved, gentle
A'nh / light ray
Anh / intellectual brightness
Bi`nh / peace
La`nh / gentle
Linh / gentle spirit
Tha'm / discreet grace
Qu 'y / precious
Lang / sweet potato
Di’u / tender, gentle, mellow