What is your pet peeve? You know, those little, or big, things that drive you up the wall. What makes your hair stand on end? What ruffles your feathers? Prompt: Write about what doesn’t tickle your fancy! Photo by Breana Marie
Tag: writing freely
Write about someone in the military. Prompt #74
Write about someone you know who is currently serving in the military or who has served. What branch of the military? What country? What would you like us to know about this person? Is there an author who writes about the armed services or books you like with a military theme? Tell us, we want to know. Photo of Purple Heart Medal taken by Jane Person. Her father, First Lt. John Person, was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart following his combat in World War II, April 1943. The Purple Heart is one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to members of the U.S. Military armed forces. Introduced as the “Badge of Military Merit” by General George Washing in 1782, the Purple Heart is also the nation’s oldest military award. Prompt: Write about someone in the military.
How has writing changed your life? Prompt #73
Today’s prompt: Write about how writing has changed your life, or an aspect of your life. Submit your 600-word essay reflection on the writing life by emailing to Writer’s Digest magazine at: wdsubmissions@fwmedia.com with “5-Minute Memoir” in the subject line.
It happened because . . . Prompt #72
Set your timer for 12 minutes. Start by writing “It happened because” . . . then write for 12 minutes without stopping. No thinking. No crossing out words. Just write. It happened because . . .
Listen to the world around you — Jörgen Elofsson
“If you want to write about a ‘broken heart,’ it’s good to know what a broken heart feels like. I also believe you need to take the time and not rush things, keep it playful . . . and listen to the world around [you].” — Jörgen Elofsson, songwriter for Kelly Clarkson, excerpt from the May 2014 issue of The Writer Magazine. Photo: Jorgen
Write about a character and music. Prompt #67
Today’s prompt is inspired from the May 2014 issue of The Writer magazine. Write about a character (real or fictional) surrounded by music. What instruments? What songs? Describe the soundtrack to the character’s story. How does music affect his or her actions, and what role does it play in the narrative? More from this issue: “Write the way people actually talk. You can use imagery and be poetic, of course, but the best lyrics sound like something people might actually say.” — Murray Horwitz, co-writer of the musical Ain’t Misbehavin’
Live in the world of your imagination and take young readers with you.
Want to write books for children or young adults? Here are some ideas for you. Excerpted from “Child’s Play,” Yvonne Coppard and Linda Newberry, March 2014 issue of The Writer Magazine. An author must find his or her own voice and style and use them to express concerns that are passionately felt and imagined. Good writing for children has the same qualities as good writing for any age group: What stands out is authority, the confidence to be what it is. It tells the reader that the journey will be worthwhile. To write well, an author must have an ear for rhythm, control of pace and awareness of what drives a story and engages a reader. The author needs the knack of evoking universal experiences from the particular, inviting the reader to share the trials and triumphs of the viewpoint character. There are no right ways to do this, and…
Standing in a doorway . . .Prompt #63
Today’s prompt: Standing in a doorway . . . Photo by Jim C. March
Write short? Write long? Write strong!
The following is an excerpt from “When every letter counts,” by Kevin Cullen (no relation to me that I know of). — March 2014 issue of The Writer Magazine. Kevin writes: I have been in the newspaper game for more than 30 years, which qualifies me as a card-carrying old fart. I have tried to embrace new technologies and platforms pushed upon us by enthusiastic, young tech geeks who talk about Facebook and Twitter with the zeal of evangelicals. Online is where it’s at, even though we still make most of our money from the dead tree version. But what has all this meant for writing? Because, let’s face it, the biggest advantage all forms of written journalism have over the immediacy of TV and radio is the ability to deliver depth and strong, evocative writing. Writing short and writing long require different disciplines. It’s the differences between writing a…
A room from your childhood. Prompt # 62
Sit back, relax. Take a few deep breaths. Relax into your breathing. Think about rooms from your childhood. Let your mind wander around various rooms: Your bedroom Your parents’ bedroom Your grandparents’ bedroom The room where you ate your meals . . . kitchen or dining room Your grandparents’ dining room. Here’s an excerpt from Lynn Henriksen‘s book, Give The Gift of Story, TellTale Souls’ Essential Guide*, page 58, excerpt written by Robin. Jamie and I would crawl into our cozy little bed between the softest apple-green sheets that matched the apple-green carpet and the apple-green walls. We took turns as to who had to be squished against the wall and who was to be on the outside nearest Grandma. We always took turns with everything at Grandma’s house, I figure that’s how she kept the peace. Now, settle into a room from your childhood. Look around. Really look around. …