Cross-genre writing exercise
Write a short piece of fiction about trying to decide what card to buy someone (that you have some store up resentment for) for some occasion. Write 3 little greeting card-esque poems that you include in your piece. With each greeting card, think (in your piece) of a backhanded, passive-aggressive remark you could write in there. End the piece with you going up to the register with your card, explain what it says, and why you chose that. Be sure to include little flashbacks during your backhanded potential card remarks to add depth to the piece. Even just two lined flashbacks. Be sure to include at least three lines of dialog.