Writing Exercise #14:  Write a short scene (1-2 paragraphs) describing  your current town or the town where you grew up. Be as vivid as  possible, and remember to incorporate all of the senses. You do not need  to place anyone in the scene; instead, focus on your surroundings and  try to incorporate elements of the town that go typically unnoticed.      Length: One to two paragraphs   Next, reflect on the essays by  Laymon and Baldwin. In the essays, each writer discusses their  surroundings and how these surroundings relate to their personal  experiences/perspectives and the citizenry of the United States. Expand  on the earlier scene and write a two-page story set in your town.    As  you craft your story, consider the following:  In what way has your town  shaped your perspectives and identity?  Who are the people in your town  that you look to for comfort?  Who are the people in your town who are a  source of conflict?  What is significant about your town, and what does  a reader need to know?   Length: No more than two pages.