Question

I need some tips on writing a letter full of clues or hints. I want the reader to have to think to figure them out. I don't want it to be too obvious. I've been in writer's block for months now :(

Answer 1

Here's the story, if you need to take a look at it. Just a second.

Answer 2

The Escape Game

I felt a constant throbbing in my head. My eyes opened and I sat up and tried to rub the sleep out of my green eyes. But instead, I ended up running my hands through my hair, rousing it even more. A brown lock of it fell over my eye. With an annoyed sigh, I pushed it out of the way. Without thinking, my hands threw the covers off of me and I stood up from the dull colored cot I was sleeping on. There were two light bulbs in the entire room.
“About 17ft. by 10ft.,” I thought out loud. I snapped my head around, suddenly alert. My brain searched for a possible reason how I knew the measurements of the room, but found none. I knew I was right, but how? A small desk with a lamp happened to be by the cot. Rummaging through the organized drawer, I found what I was looking for. A ruler.
Even though I knew my estimates were right, I measured anyways. Yep, 17 by 10. Marching over to the desk to put the ruler away, I stubbed my toe on the corner of a stove. I grimaced and a wave of pain shot through my foot. Just beside a gas stove, were a refrigerator, a counter, and some cupboards willed with plates, bowls and cups. A little card table was set up near the kitchen and tucked under it was two chairs. Adjacent to the kitchen was two doors.
I suddenly became aware that everything in the room, including the walls, was either a gray or dullish tan. But something about those doors, 3ft. Long and 6ft. tall kept nagging at me.
So instead of putting the ruler away, I set it on the countertop and walked slowly toward the doors with my head wingspaned to the side and eyebrows furrowed. I closed my eyes for a moment in concentration and tried to think about what was behind the doors.
I opened my eyes. I was face to face with my reflection in the door closest to the right. Without thinking, my right arm extended, reaching for the gleaming brass knob. I glanced up. I was wearing a plain white t-shirt and jeans. My hair was a little on the longer side, but not even close to shoulder length. It was also kind of shaggy and fine. Kind of a weird mixture, I thought. I thought it made me look a little like a girl. My thoughts were interrupted because the cold metal was now under my fingertips. I could feel the accelerated thumping inside my chest. My hand wrapped itself over the knob and tried to turn it. But it wouldn’t budge.
Locked.
“Locked.” If anyone else had been in the room, they wouldn’t have heard that barely audible whisper.
“Locked,” I said louder, my voice raising. I tried to turn the knob again. It still wouldn’t move. The metal was becoming warm under my fingertips. My hands started banging themselves against the door.
“Open the door!” I screamed, voice cracking.
“It’s locked.” I scream and pound my hands against my hands against the door until my knuckles are red and bleeding, and my throat feels like sandpaper. No one will come to help me. With a sudden surge of hope, I slammed my weight into the door. It doesn’t even budge. I shift my weight to my left leg and grasp the knob to the second door, which is to the left of the one I just tried to open. Somehow, I feel sure that it will open. My instincts are correct because a simple bathroom now stands before me.
Nothing but a bathroom.
My legs feel 10 times heavier as I stalk like a zombie to the kitchen table. I plopped won on the chair nearest to the stove, glad to sit on something, even though I just woke up from sleep. I scoot the chair back a little and rest my elbows on my thighs and lean forward. Just as I put my chin into my hands, something under the table catches my eye. If I look down a little farther, I can see what it is. Taped under the table is an envelope, marked with the name Chris.
Chris.
In an instant, I recognize my name. I absentmindedly wipe my hands on my jeans, and reach under the table to grab the envelope. After taking it off the bottom of the table and throw the tape away, I run my fingers over it. It feels rough and grainy. And instead of white, like your normal envelope, it’s a tannish, off white. Sort of like an extremely light brown. Its color reminds me of the table. I turn it over to open it up, but a seal catches my eye. It’s still a little damp, and red, paint like liquid comes onto my finger. It reminds me of blood. But I fell like there should be some initials or something on the seal. I have no idea what it could signify. But I know that the letter means that someone had to have been here. Someone was in the room before I was. I’m in here for a reason, and I must have to find my way out. This thought unsettles me. What if I can’t find my way out? Will I die here? I’m sure that I won’t. Will someone come to get me? No. I’m sure of that now. No one left me any information about the door. This might be the only piece of the outside world I might get. So, bracing the uncertainty before me, I open the letter.

Answer 3

If you see some diamonds with ? marks in them, refresh the page.

Answer 4

@ispike , @horsegirl27 , @KyanTheDoodle

Answer 5

I also need to edit to where I stay within one tense of writing. So just overlook that.

Answer 6

@k_lynn I'm gonna read it right now so it will be a few min

Answer 7

Okie doke, thanks :D

Answer 8

@k_lynn It’s too listy for the beginning of a story. Personally I really like it when it begins with a monologue of some sort. But I suppose that’s just a personal preference.
really no other critics but im a little tired because I've edited a million things today so i might have missed something

Answer 9

I sort of agree with @ispike I also think this is amazing. Good job, I really like it!

Answer 10

It's really interesting, and the fact that she wakes up and knows the measurements just made it interesting. Then it kept getting more interesting.

Answer 11

yea i agree with @horsegirl27

Answer 12

THanks, guys. Chris is a boy, btw :P Do you have any tips as to writing the letter. I want it to have some clues about the room, and how to get out, but I'm not sure how to write it. I want the reader to have to think about where to find everything. I don't want it to be too easy.

Answer 13

at the moment i am currently brain dead lol so not right now

Answer 14

i will think about it though

Answer 15

Okie doke, thanks.

Answer 16

I've been in writers block for months on this, so I thought it was time to get out of it.

Answer 17

Not certified or anything but..
Personally, I'm intrigued by the idea that you have; however the execution is just a little, itsy bitsy, teeny weeny, bit off. There are a few syntactical glitches that make it seem less developed and juuust a little, itsy bitsy, teeny weeny, bit amateur. TAKE NO OFFENSE TO THIS. You're a young writer, amateur does not mean immature.

You're really talented and I'm definitely interested in where the story will go. If you want help with the letter, you'll have to specify what exactly you're trying to accomplish with it and what the plot of the story is.

Like I said.. not certified, just a young reader with observations.

Answer 18

Thanks for the feedback :) I still need to go back through and edit. Definitely not finished yet. I"m not really planning to do anything with this story, I'm just writing for fun, and to help me get better at it. Do you have any tips on writing this letter?

Answer 19

@Kennedii

Answer 20

Nice!

Answer 21

Thanks @JulieEllis :)

Answer 22

Ok, guise :3 I don't need anymore help, 'cuz I've gotten out of my writers block!