“The only sin writers can commit is not to write.” — Eleanor Hyde, originally in the August 1976 issue of the Writer Magazine, reprinted in the August 2014 issue. Note from Marlene: So, you are itching to write and need a jumpstart? Go to the prompts page of this blog for ideas. Click here for more prompts and read what others have written. Scroll down and click on a plaque.
Tag: writing prompt
Aprons . . . Prompt #88
My grandmother put her apron on every morning right after she put on her house dress. She wore an apron every day, even to parties. She made all her clothes, including her aprons. She always chose a small flower design and used colorful seam binding for trim around the edges. I also wear aprons, but only when cooking and eating. . . saves many an outfit from food stains. Today’s prompt is: Aprons Thank you, Kathy Myers, for the inspiration to hang my aprons in the kitchen. Thank you, Pam Swanson, for emailing so many years ago, “The History of Aprons.” THE HISTORY OF APRONS The principal use of Grandma’s apron was to protect the dress underneath. Because she only had a few dresses, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing…
Your intangible treasure. Prompt #85
What is the one intangible thing you treasure above all else? Intangible, meaning: you can’t touch it, feel it, smell it, hold it, see it . . . it may be a character trait, a personality trait, a quirk. . . a feeling. . . . Prompt: Write about something intangible that you treasure. Photo by Jane Person
Fourth of July . . . Prompt #84
July 4th is coming up. . . . what does this mean to you? Do you consider yourself patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you? Which reminds me of one of my all-time favorite “brain teasers.” Do they have fourth of July in England? Yes. . .and third of July and fifth of July. Writing Prompt: What does July Fourth mean to you?
Right now . . . Prompt #83
Set your timer for 12-15 minutes and write. No judging. Shoo your inner critic away. Just write. Today’s Prompt: Right now . . . Photo taken in Ireland by Jim C. March
Writing is like excavating . . .
Writing prompts on The Write Spot Blog are designed to encourage writing that takes the writer on a journey of discovery. Our freewrites can refresh our memories and remind us of times past. It’s like excavating — digging deep and dredging up memories. You can start writing very simply — with pen or pencil and paper or keyboard. To go deep into your writing — rest both feet on the floor, rest your hands lightly on your lap or on the table. Take in a deep, nourishing breath and slowly let it out. Another deep breath in and s-l-o-w-l-y release. Sink into your breath and relax on the out breath. Review the prompt and start writing. If you get stuck and don’t know what to write next: ~ Write the prompt . . . sometimes re-writing the prompt brings up new ideas. ~ Write “I remember. . . ” and…
The next time . . . Prompt #78
Today’s writing prompt: The next time . . .
If only . . . . Prompt #68
Writing Prompt: If only . . . Set your timer for 12 minutes and write “If only” . . . . and keep writing. Prompt #68 – If only . . .
Setting The Mood. Prompt #49
Prompt #48 was about how to “Grow Your Character.” We’ll talk about location as character (exterior and interior) in this post and how to set the mood, or the tone of the scene. Let the reader know right away where the scene is happening, include details such as place, year, season, weather, and perhaps time of day. Not in an information dump, rather, weave in these details. Furniture tells a lot about a person. Sparse? Elegant? Are there cooking utensils on the kitchen counter? Neat and tidy? Cluttered? The city (setting) can be a character in the story. Examples: Dashiell Hammett and San Francisco, Lisa Scottoline and Philadelphia. The Christmas tree in The Nutracker becomes a character as it expands. As you write details about the setting and location, try to use dialogue and action. Think Casablanca and the Maltese Falcon. Elements of setting the mood: Where does this scene…
Essence of you. Prompt #45
Step 1. Make a list of significant events that have happened in your life. Start with the year you were born . You can list important dates such as the year you graduated, got married, started jobs, vacations. Also, list emotional highs and lows: betrayals, losses, inspirations, revelations, epiphanies. Step 2. Choose specific years from this list and research historical events that happened during those years. Step 3. From your lists: Choose an event that you think people would want to know more about. Or, choose events that capture the essence of you. Step 4: Write about the event. Include specific details and use anecdotes.* Tie in your personal events with historical events. For example: My junior high friends and I swiveled on cherry-red stools at Woolworth’s in 1962 in San Francisco, not realizing that folks with certain colored skin were not allowed the same privileges in other parts of the…