Writing Opposites

Mark Helprin bounds between dark and light into his novel, In Sunlight and in Shadow. His threads of plot interweave New York of the 1940s and splices of World War II with imagery that captures all the senses. Often over-the-top in emotion and love, he does return to earth, as a paratrooper in the story. Idealized love, city rhythms, weather, and the changing colors of sky and water provide a spell in lyrical writing.  

Creative Write:  Create a seesaw effect between two opposites: light and dark, good and evil, love and despair.  Begin by listing images that represent the opposites. Add sounds, scents, tastes and textures as you combine your ideas in a freewrite.