Today’s writing prompt: Alarm
Category: Prompts
What challenged you as a . . . Prompt #203
Today’s writing prompt: What challenged you as a fifteen-year-old? When the prompt is a number or an age, you can adjust to whatever calls to you. For example, with this prompt you can write about what was challenging when you were thirteen, or fourteen, or sixteen. The exact age doesn’t matter. I chose fifteen because that is a pivotal year for some people. Marlene, Tonga Room, Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, Junior Prom, 1965.
How to be a better writer
Many of us want to learn how to be better writers. The answer is very simple: WRITE. Write some more. Keep writing. It’s true! The more you write, the better writer you will become. Here are some things you can do to improve your writing. READ. Read whatever you like to read. Read the genre you are writing in. Read other genres. BE SPECIFIC. ’57 Bel Air Chevy, not car. Sycamore, not tree. Foxtrot, not dance. USE STRONG VERBS. Keep a list of strong verbs in your writer’s toolbox for easy reference. Resources for strong verbs Thesaurus in any format: Paper, on your computer, internet. Books: Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch: Let Verbs Power Your Writing by Constance Hale. Strong Verbs Strong Voice by Ann Everett Websites: Tip Sheet Using Strong Verbs and Writing Tips: Use Active, Precise Verbs WRITING MAGAZINES often have article to improve writing: Writer’s Digest, The Writer,…
What’s under your bed? Prompt #202
Today’s prompt: Write about the monsters under your bed. Oh, you don’t have any monsters under your bed? Well then, what’s in your closet?
Hope . . . Prompt #201
Today’s writing prompt is inspired by Ron Salisbury’s poem “The Ride Southbound.” When the writing prompt is a poem, you can write about the title, a line or a word. You can also write about Hope. Just write whatever comes up for you. The Ride Southbound by Ron Salisbury When I jerked open the cab door, Hope was sitting in the back seat, Prada dark glasses and lip gloss. This is mine, she said, but we can share until 34th street. What’s at 34th street? I asked. Just a sale at Macys. The driver put my two-suiter in the trunk and the extra bag on the front seat, I climbed in with my briefcase and umbrella. Is it gonna rain? she asked. You never know, I answered. What’s with all the bags? It’s been a long trip. You need all that stuff? Most of it, at least I thought I…
Suicide Doors . . . Prompt #200
Today’s writing prompt is a poem by Ron Salisbury. You can write on the theme of the poem or the mood. You can use a line or a word for the writing prompt. Ready? Read and write. Just write, without worrying how your writing will sound. Suicide Doors Don’t put that in a poem, she said. What? Don’t put what I said in a poem. We talk and a week later I find what I said in one of your poems. What’s the matter with that? He’ll find out. He doesn’t read poems. His friends will tell him. His friends don’t read poems. Just don’t put me in your poems. How about I make it in the 1960’s and it happens in my 1951 Merc with suicide doors, I got a D.A. haircut, smell of Bay Rum and your angora sweater comes off on my sport coat. Then what happens….
What is a good life? . . . Prompt #199
What makes up a good life? What are the ingredients for a good life? If you could combine essential ingredients to produce a good life, what would those ingredients be? Is there a secret ingredient? If there was a recipe for a good life, would people embrace it? Would they conform or rebel or ??? If you were going to stitch qualities for a good life into a quilt, what bits and pieces would you need? What would the final piece look like? Is this even a fair or answerable question? Are there too many variables to consider? If you could create, cajole, conjure, form, shape a good life, would you? What would it look like. . . that good life many people strive for. Today’s writing prompt: What do you think a good life is all about?
Spooktacular or . . . ??? Prompt #199
Join the festivities. Click on Halloween Blog Hop. Scroll down, click on a blogger’s name and you will be transported into a new dimension. WRITING PROMPT: Spooktacular or Spectacular or Meh . . . What was Halloween like for you as a child? Did you go trick-or-treating? Costumes: Homemade or store bought? Bag to hold goodies: Pillowcase, plastic bag, plastic pumpkin, or ??? You can also write from your fictional character’s point of view. Writing Prompt: Describe your childhood Halloween. OR: Describe a perfect All Hallow’s Eve.
Scary movie . . . Prompt #198
Today’s Write Spot Blog prompt: Write about a movie that scared the bejeebers out of you. If you are writing fiction, what movie frightened your fictional character? There are lots of writing prompts on The Write Spot Blog, 198 to be exact. Choose one and just write!
An apology. . . Prompt #197
Who do you want — or need — to apologize to? Or maybe it’s a “thing” you need — or want — to apologize about. Write an apology note, something you never need to send nor give to anyone. Write it for yourself, to cleanse your palate, to lift the burden from your shoulders, to start from a new beginning. Prompt: Write a note of apology.