Note: I’m trying out this 31 day writing exercise workbook. It is the Hooked on Writing Workbook by Amanda Patterson which I bought a hardcopy version of. The first exercise has to do with picking out a fictional character from a small list and making them realistic. This is my attempt with Jack Frost! Hope you guys like it!

An extra cold chill ran rampant through the studio apartment. Jack groaned awake, his eyes opening up into slits to read the time on the black clock. It read 10 AM in red text. Normally the cold didn’t bother him much, but this chill stuck his spine down to his toes and back again.

A fluffy white bichon frise hopped on the bed and eagerly licked Jack’s face as he tried to fall back asleep. “Snowflake, stop. I’m up. I’m up.” He groggily said, sitting up while pushing the small dog off. He shifted his weight to one side, pivoting his feet to the side of the bed.

He pushed himself off the bed and stuffed his hands into his pale blue hoodie pocket, hoping to warm up his hands just a little. He slid his feet into his slippers and made his way into the kitchen. He rubbed his cold hands together in his pocket. He leaned down, plucking the dog bowl from the floor and filled it from the open bag of dog food. He returned it to its place by the cabinets on the floor. “Better call the landlord, huh bud.” He spoke to the dog who diligently following behind him.

He let out a slight sigh with a shudder from another chill rushing down the length of his spine. He picked up the receiver from the landline phone and dialed the number to the landlord. “Hey Rich. The heat is out again. Mind sending someone out?” He greeted, using his free hand to create some fiction to warm up. His eyes wandered over to the window, watching as the small snowflakes fell gingerly onto his deck.

“Yeah, Mr. Frost. I’ll give our heating and air conditioning guy a call and get him out as soon as possible. He should be able to swing by in a few hours. Try to stay warm.” His landlord remarked, jotting down a quick note.

“Thank you. Bye Rich.” He hung up the receiver and glanced down at Snowflake eating happily. “Guess I should make myself something too.” He took out the carton of eggs from his fridge and set it on the counter beside the stove. He grabbed a pan and the covered dish of butter. He placed the pan on the heating element and turned it on. He cut a pad of butter and slung it into the pan. Once the butter began to melt, he tipped the pan around to cover the bottom of the pan.

He opened the carton of eggs and cracked two into the pan. As the pan heated up, the egg sizzled and fried in the butter. He carefully watched the egg as it cooked and put it on a white plate, eating it while it was still warm. The warm homemade food helped relieve some portion of the cold in his body.