Survival Kit . . . Prompt #253

  • Survival Kit . . . Prompt #253

    Survival Kit

    What would you put in a survival kit?

     

     

     

     

     

    Marlene C

    , , , ,

  • Dead End . . . Prompt #252

    Dead EndToday’s Writing Prompt:

                    Dead End

                    OR:

                    One Way

     

     

     

     

     

    Marlene C

    , , , ,

  • Elevator Pitch. . . Prompt #251

    Rachael HerronThis has been Rachael Herron Week on The Write Spot Blog. It’s been fun highlighting her and her work.

    Today’s writing prompt is inspired by her latest book, The Ones Who Matter Most.

    “What begins as one woman’s search for truth becomes a deep bond forged between the unlikeliest of people. Their surprising journey reveals how strangers can quickly find themselves to be family, and how kindness can bridge even the widest of gaps.”

    Choose something from this synopsis, or elevator pitch, to write about. Perhaps:

    Write about a kindness offered to you, or something kind you did for someone.

    Or, write about a surprising journey.

    Or, write about a stranger.

    Write about what a search revealed.

    Write about family.

    Note: An “elevator pitch” is a short summary of a book or project that can be explained in the time it takes an elevator to go from ground floor to the 30th floor.

    Marlene C

    , , , ,

  • What did you expect? Prompt #248

    Frog by Jeff

     

    Today’s writing prompt: What did you expect?

    Don’t think about it. Write about it.

    As soon as you can, write your response, your first reaction to What did you expect?

     

    Pro_Deluxe Photography by Jeff Cullen

    Marlene C

    , , , ,

  • New ways of looking at old- Prompt #247

    If you have been writing for awhile, you might notice that you keep writing about the same things over and over again: how Aunt Luella always sticks her nose in everybody’s business; how Uncle Ray tells those awful jokes and doesn’t seem to notice that no one laughs; how Nonna’s getting on everybody’s nerves, should Aunt Silvie be put in assisted living and what the heck is up with Joey’s latest tattoo?

    Mr. Ed The Talking HorseWe all have our stable of characters that we dwell about incessantly. Here’s an opportunity to look at old things in new ways. Inspired by the poem, The visible and the in-      by Marge Piercy

    Read the stanza below (or the partial stanza), then quickly make a list of everybody this reminds you of. No prolonged thinking. You can always add names later.

    Ready? Go!

    First stanza of The visible and the in-:

    Some people move through your life
    like the perfume of peonies, heavy
    and sensual and lingering.

    This reminds me of:

     

    Some people move through your life
    like the sweet musky scent of cosmos
    so delicate if you sniff twice, it’s gone.

    This reminds me of:

     

    Some people occupy your life
    like moving men who cart off
    couches, pianos and break dishes.

    This reminds me of:

     

    Some people touch you so lightly you
    are not sure it happened.

    This reminds me of:

     

    Others leave
    you flat with footprints on your chest.

    This reminds me of:

     

    Some are like those fall warblers
    you can’t tell from each other even
    though you search Petersen’s.

    This reminds me of:

     

    Some come down hard on you like
    a striking falcon and the scars remain
    and you are forever wary of the sky.

    This reminds me of:

     

    We all are waiting rooms at bus
    stations where hundreds have passed
    through unnoticed and others

    have almost burned us down

     

    This reminds me of:
    and others have left us clean and new
    and others have just moved in.

    This reminds me of:

     

    That’s it. You can leave this as-is. Or the next time you write about Sophie and how she stole your lipstick in seventh grade. . . use some of these descriptions to expand upon her character, to draw out this experience with specific detail.

    Of course this will work for fictional characters, also.

    Have fun with this. Recreate the characters (real and imagined) who populate your real estate.

    Marlene C

    , , ,

  • A poem, from the inside out . . . Prompt #246

    Today’s prompt is inspired by Poet Georgia Heard, who suggests the following as a way to create a poem from the inside out.

    Choose something on your body: a strand of hair, a nail, a ring, glasses, a belt, a necklace, an item of clothing, a freckle . . . anything!

    1. Describe the object with as much detail as possible.
    1. List all the feelings that the object evokes. Be specific.
    1. Create similes for the object: It is like. . . It reminds me of . . .
    1. Put yourself in the place of the object. Take on the voice of the object and write from the object’s perspective.

    Take your time with this. Read what you have written. Add anything that comes up while reading.

    Take a few moments to reflect. Settle in with what you have written. When you feel done with this part, go on to the next, the poetry part.

    You don’t have to rhyme, or follow any rules when writing your poem. You simply need images and inspiration and emotions. Anger, pain and bursts of joy are perfect material for poetry.

    Do not strive for perfection. This is still the freewrite phase of writing.

    When you are done and completely satisfied, then . . . set your writing aside for a day or two.

    Come back to it when you are ready to revise and polish. Then set it free: Share with a friend, submit to a journal, post on The Write Spot Blog. We would love to read your inside out poem.

    Watering can girl. J.Pierce

     

    Girl with watering can and daisy, beaded pin by J. Pierce.

     

    Marlene C

    , ,

  • Got fiction, essay , poetry, art? West Marin Review wants.

    West Marin ReviewFiction! Essays! Poetry! Art! Got any? West Marin Review, a literary and art  journal, wants ’em.

    Deadline:  September 1, 2016. West Marin Review is such an upbeat publication, this should be called Upline: September 1, 2016.

    Need ideas for material to write about? Click Prompts. Choose one and write. Edit. Submit.

    West Marin Review Submission Guidelines.

    Cover art for current issue of West Marin Review.

     

    Marlene C

    ,

  • Random words plucked from a poem . . . Prompt #244

    Random words (plucked from a poem) as a writing prompt. Tell a story, truth or not, with these words:

    Creek.Karen heavy               linger        delicate

    footprints      flat             maroon

    foam                hard          perfume

    Or use the photo as a writing prompt.

    Set your timer for 15-20 minutes. Write. Polish. Post your writing on The Write Spot Blog.

    Photo by Karen Bobier

    Marlene C

    , , , ,

  • Pranks . . . Prompt #242

    Charlie BrownWhat pranks have you pulled off? Were you successful? Did you get caught?

    Have you been pranked? What happened?

    What do you think about playing tricks on people? Is it funny? Rude? Cruel? Does it depend on the circumstances?

    Writing Prompt:  Pranks

    Marlene C

    , , ,

  • Well, that was an Interesting Experience . . . Prompt #241

    Write about something interesting that happened.

    It could be a little blip, just a passing thing that happened. Or, it could be big. . . earth shattering.
    It could be about something that really happened or something imagined.
    The page is a big, wide-open place for you to play and experiment (what a funny word – ex-peer-ih-ment).
    Dancing ManTry a word here, toss a word there. Mix ’em up. Shuffle. Dance your words around.
    Write about an Interesting Experience.

     

     

     

    Marlene C

    , , , ,