In Springboards a sentence or text passage is written, using one of a series of characteristic sentence lead-ins, in response to a designated Specific Idea.
How does Springboards work?
The Springboards title refers to sentence lead-ins that produce the effect of a ‘springboard’ - in that they create a flow of ideas that can be shaped into a useful creative approach.
The following are examples of Springboard Phrases:
- The truth is....
- It is no use pretending....
- Nobody could accuse....
- The best thing about....
- I wish I had....
- Without a doubt....
Illustration: Springboards
The following is a section taken from The Tailor that was developed with the assistance of Springboard Phrases:
Specific Idea:
Anjali returns to her uncle’s workshop after clashing with Panya.
Springboard Phrases:
'The only question is whether Panya makes a good assistant at Threads,’ said Anjali before he could continue. ‘The business is successful. I made Threads a success before Panya was ever in the picture. Now she is there, and the business is pulling apart at the seam.’
The truth is that you do not know the contempt that I feel when I stitch the lining back on a pocket of a jacket that never deserved a hanger in the first place. I am feeding dogs. But, as you have seen, there is much money in dog food.
It is well understood that every person is the tailor of her own future. Will you forever stitch the past back together, or will you design a future that is worthy of you? Repair what has gone before, and the river of time will just sweep you away. Design great clothing and your influence will continue as long as the mountains still stand.