Prompts

Have fun with clichés . . . Prompt #690

Let’s play with clichés. It goes like this: I’ll write some clichés with missing words. You get to fill in the missing words. It’s sort of like Mad Libs. For example: More than one way to skin a cat becomes: More than one way to [verb] a [noun]. Ready? There are no wrong answers! It’s [verb ending in “ing”] [noun] and [noun] You can’t [verb] a [noun] by its [noun] The [noun] [verb] always [adjective or noun] on the other [noun] [Verb] your [noun] right It’s an uphill [noun] [Verb] between the [plural noun] A [noun] is only as [verb] as its weakest [noun] A [noun] and his [noun] are soon [verb, past tense] A [noun] of a different [noun]  A [noun] of a [number] [verb] begins with the first [verb] Whatever responses you came up are fine. Can you use any of your re-imagined cliches in your writing? Clichés…

Prompts

Connecting The Dots . . . Prompt #689

In works of fiction, we think of “characters.” When writing memoir, we think “real people.” Let’s experiment with writing about real people as if they were characters in fiction. Think of someone you know that you would like to spend some time writing about. You can also do this for your fiction characters, if you are working on a fiction project. Make a three-column list. Column 1 What I know Column 2 How I know it Column 3 How to show it Column 1 Write one or two-word descriptions about someone. Column 2 How you know these characteristics. For example, if the person is described as cheap, you might write, “contributes only $20, no matter his actual share, at a group dinner.” Column 3 Jot down short notes on how you might show these characteristics In the case of the cheap friend, “brings his teabag to use at restaurants.” Connecting…

Prompts

Listen. Watch. See. Prompt #683

“She turns off her flashlight and listens to the waves, which sound to her like the earth itself breathing.” —“love anthony,” by Lisa Genova, pg. 246 “As ocean surface waves approach shore, they get taller and break, forming the foamy, bubbly surface called surf.” —Google Search Writing Prompt: Image of waves lapping on shore or the quotes. What popped into your mind when you saw this image? Or, what did you think after you read the first quote? Your reaction after you read the second quote. How do you feel when you see and hear waves on the beach? Write whatever you want. Just Write!