As writers we want to stay accurate. At least as accurate as possible. To do this we have to research. I am not giving a BIG project but I do want you to attempt to write a haiku about somewhere you haven't visited. To do this:
I want you to think of a place you have never been and do some quick research on some of the weather conditions, major landmarks, etc.
Then write your haiku using some of the information you have gathered trying to capture what you think is the feel of the place.
5
7
5
!
Share it with us if you dare!
A blog by a reader who reads. A lot.
Showing posts with label writing prompt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing prompt. Show all posts
6.15.2010
6.09.2010
Hiatus
back from vacation....
week and a half long hiatus.
Isn't it funny how we always tend to need lots of rest and relaxation after a vacation??
Today I will throw out a simple writing prompt. Find a picture of yourself when you were a little, little kid on vacation and write the story of the vacation as much as you can from the picture using the background and facial expressions to add details. It doesn't need to be accurate and I think the exercise would work better if you didn't use a picture from a vacation you actually remember.
Happy writing!
week and a half long hiatus.
Isn't it funny how we always tend to need lots of rest and relaxation after a vacation??
Today I will throw out a simple writing prompt. Find a picture of yourself when you were a little, little kid on vacation and write the story of the vacation as much as you can from the picture using the background and facial expressions to add details. It doesn't need to be accurate and I think the exercise would work better if you didn't use a picture from a vacation you actually remember.
Happy writing!
5.25.2010
Writing Prompt #5: Goodnight, sweet prince...
My fear of bugs, spiders, and other creepy crawlies has been present since I was a child. I remember calling for my dad, my heart pounding whenever I saw a spider. My dad would come with the toilet paper raised like a war-flag and squish that bug. When he did this he always said, "goodnight, sweet prince".
So. the writing prompt for today is this.... think of a time a bug has been hanging around needing a good squishing (unless you are the type to vacuum them up or capture and then release back out into the wide world) and in detail describe the events including your feelings.
THEN to further the excercise I want you to put yourself in the shoes of said insect during the final moments of its little buggy life and describe the events and emotions from its perspective.
Get out your writing notebooks, your journals, your computer and get writing.
As always, feel free to share some or all of what you wrote and request critique if you so desire.
Happy writing!
So. the writing prompt for today is this.... think of a time a bug has been hanging around needing a good squishing (unless you are the type to vacuum them up or capture and then release back out into the wide world) and in detail describe the events including your feelings.
THEN to further the excercise I want you to put yourself in the shoes of said insect during the final moments of its little buggy life and describe the events and emotions from its perspective.
Get out your writing notebooks, your journals, your computer and get writing.
As always, feel free to share some or all of what you wrote and request critique if you so desire.
Happy writing!
5.22.2010
Writing Prompt #4: This land is my land
A lot of sci-fi/fantasy (okay almost all) books have their own world created for the book. Even if this is not how you typically do things, I want you to write a few paragraphs describing you r world or a list of things (i.e. types of people, language*, plant life, sky color, land masses, bodies of water, etc.). This does not mean, necessarily, that you have to make up and alien planet with skies that look like tie-dye at sunset and no one speaks anything but Pig Latin. I particularly am working on two stories that are set in made up towns that seem to be in America. So you can do this.
I personally like to make up where the characters live to avoid in-authenticity with any real place. I have not travelled a lot and would rather remain authentic to my own imagination. Plus it is fun to create a whole new place and have it be 'just so'.
So. Get out your writing notebooks, open a new word document, or log in to your online journal and get writing. This doesn't have to be in story form (although it would be a good opportunity for you to try working on setting the scene in a story); you can write a list, draw a map, etc. I just want you to try to work your imagination and try to create a believable world that never existed before you dreamed it up. Try not to do anything cliche like an underwater city hidden for thousands of years wherein the inhabitants speak perfect English and are a thriving community. okay? Atlantis is out!
As always we'd love to hear what you have to write if you want to share some or all of what you create from the writing prompt. Your works is safe from cruel unnecessary critique and any critique at all if you so choose. Leave a note if you would like feedback (but remember any feedback given is subjective. Personal taste accounts for so much when one is critiquing another's work).
And last but not least, happy writing!
*Quick word of advice: I was at a writing conference where I heard a sci-fi author say to not make up words lacking syllables. Apparently this is frowned upon and I would not want to be held accountable for encouraging it!
I personally like to make up where the characters live to avoid in-authenticity with any real place. I have not travelled a lot and would rather remain authentic to my own imagination. Plus it is fun to create a whole new place and have it be 'just so'.
So. Get out your writing notebooks, open a new word document, or log in to your online journal and get writing. This doesn't have to be in story form (although it would be a good opportunity for you to try working on setting the scene in a story); you can write a list, draw a map, etc. I just want you to try to work your imagination and try to create a believable world that never existed before you dreamed it up. Try not to do anything cliche like an underwater city hidden for thousands of years wherein the inhabitants speak perfect English and are a thriving community. okay? Atlantis is out!
As always we'd love to hear what you have to write if you want to share some or all of what you create from the writing prompt. Your works is safe from cruel unnecessary critique and any critique at all if you so choose. Leave a note if you would like feedback (but remember any feedback given is subjective. Personal taste accounts for so much when one is critiquing another's work).
And last but not least, happy writing!
*Quick word of advice: I was at a writing conference where I heard a sci-fi author say to not make up words lacking syllables. Apparently this is frowned upon and I would not want to be held accountable for encouraging it!
5.19.2010
Haiku You
All right. So getting down to WRITING.
A haiku is a poem with a very specific recipe. You all remember syllables from grade school? Clapping as you say a word to determine how many syllables your name has?
Sa-Rah = two
Em-I-Ly= three
Bart= one
You get the general idea?
So the recipe for Haiku is:
5 syllable line
7 syllable line
5 syllable line
Typically Haikus are used for imagery. The challenge is to create something beautiful, lyrical, and moving all within the constraints of the form. A lot like ballet. An illustration of this is a haiku I wrote:
Writhing winter wind (5 syllables)
Whipping branches back and forth (7 syllables)
Nature's tug-of-war (5 syllables)
I typically enjoy free verse because it is just that, free. But I think that it takes real talent (one I wish I had) to create something poetic even though you have guidlines. Afterall what would life be without guidelines? Not every road can be the Autobahn and yet you can still get where you are going on time if you leave early enough on a road with a 25 mph speed limit. It isn't as much fun, but think of the things you might see along the way when it isn't all a blur. I will compare Hiaku to this. The scenery you get to notice, the butterfly lighting upon a flower, the bees dancing around a meadow, the light sparkling off the refuse on the side of the road.... You have to take it slow, you have to do it 'the man's' way, but you can still create beauty.
Today's writing prompt is to write a Haiku about grapes. It can be an imagery poem or it can have a particular meaning. It can be funny or serious. Stretch yourself, your imagination, and your abilities to create a poem you would love to share within the restraints of a Hiaku. You are more than welcome to also write another Hiaku and share that if you wish, but please put up a Haiku about grapes too.
Here's mine (a little silly, a little gross, but I am inspired by my life and that includes a lot of weird diapers from my baby and his current preferences):
Juicy purple grapes
for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Juicy purple poo.
I would really love for you to share your poems in the comments. I think we'd all like to hear them. And I would appreciate no comments belittling anyone else's Haiku. This is a safe environment where we are all learning and growing as writers. If you want critique ask for it in your comment. If anyone wants to critique (CONSTRUCTIVE CRITIQUE ONLY) they can do so. We reserve the right to remove any comment/ critique we feel is hurtful, cruel, or just plain mean. okay?
I want everyone, EVERYONE to try to write a Haiku today and would love for you to share even if you haven't written a poem in your life. We are learning here and your poems are safe!
A haiku is a poem with a very specific recipe. You all remember syllables from grade school? Clapping as you say a word to determine how many syllables your name has?
Sa-Rah = two
Em-I-Ly= three
Bart= one
You get the general idea?
So the recipe for Haiku is:
5 syllable line
7 syllable line
5 syllable line
Typically Haikus are used for imagery. The challenge is to create something beautiful, lyrical, and moving all within the constraints of the form. A lot like ballet. An illustration of this is a haiku I wrote:
Writhing winter wind (5 syllables)
Whipping branches back and forth (7 syllables)
Nature's tug-of-war (5 syllables)
I typically enjoy free verse because it is just that, free. But I think that it takes real talent (one I wish I had) to create something poetic even though you have guidlines. Afterall what would life be without guidelines? Not every road can be the Autobahn and yet you can still get where you are going on time if you leave early enough on a road with a 25 mph speed limit. It isn't as much fun, but think of the things you might see along the way when it isn't all a blur. I will compare Hiaku to this. The scenery you get to notice, the butterfly lighting upon a flower, the bees dancing around a meadow, the light sparkling off the refuse on the side of the road.... You have to take it slow, you have to do it 'the man's' way, but you can still create beauty.
Today's writing prompt is to write a Haiku about grapes. It can be an imagery poem or it can have a particular meaning. It can be funny or serious. Stretch yourself, your imagination, and your abilities to create a poem you would love to share within the restraints of a Hiaku. You are more than welcome to also write another Hiaku and share that if you wish, but please put up a Haiku about grapes too.
Here's mine (a little silly, a little gross, but I am inspired by my life and that includes a lot of weird diapers from my baby and his current preferences):
Juicy purple grapes
for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Juicy purple poo.
I would really love for you to share your poems in the comments. I think we'd all like to hear them. And I would appreciate no comments belittling anyone else's Haiku. This is a safe environment where we are all learning and growing as writers. If you want critique ask for it in your comment. If anyone wants to critique (CONSTRUCTIVE CRITIQUE ONLY) they can do so. We reserve the right to remove any comment/ critique we feel is hurtful, cruel, or just plain mean. okay?
I want everyone, EVERYONE to try to write a Haiku today and would love for you to share even if you haven't written a poem in your life. We are learning here and your poems are safe!
5.17.2010
Whoooooops!
Okay. I have a new writing prompt for you. Ready? Ready?! Get out your journal or open your word document or sign in to your online journal and get ready to write.
I want you to put yourself in the shoes of either the husband or the wife of a couple who found out they are expecting a baby, but were definitely NOT planning on it. How would you feel, what are you worried about, what are the circumstances that make it so unexpected...? Etc.
Post a blurb, a sentence, a paragraph, the whole thing if you feel like sharing!
Happy writing!
I want you to put yourself in the shoes of either the husband or the wife of a couple who found out they are expecting a baby, but were definitely NOT planning on it. How would you feel, what are you worried about, what are the circumstances that make it so unexpected...? Etc.
Post a blurb, a sentence, a paragraph, the whole thing if you feel like sharing!
Happy writing!
5.14.2010
Writing Prompt #2: Yo yo yo!
All right. I just thought of this writing prompt and wanted to post it for you. Get out your journal, open a new Word document, or log into your online journal and get writing.
Writing prompt #2: Yo yo yo! Tell the tale of a yo-yo dieter from their fridge's perspective (or pantry depending on whether you go for the chocolate chips and Oreos or the Phish Food).
Share your first line, paragraph, or an excerpt with us if you want!
Happy writing!
Writing prompt #2: Yo yo yo! Tell the tale of a yo-yo dieter from their fridge's perspective (or pantry depending on whether you go for the chocolate chips and Oreos or the Phish Food).
Share your first line, paragraph, or an excerpt with us if you want!
Happy writing!
5.13.2010
Writing Prompt #1 Becoming the Irritant
Okay. So. Sometimes we need a little something to get our creative juices flowing and sometimes we just need to write anything before we can work on whatever something we are stuck on.
So. We will provide writing prompts every week to start and I want you to start a journal and do the writing prompt in it. It can be an online journal, it can be an actual journal, or it can be a computer journal. Sometimes you will write a sentence or come across a bit of human nature that ends up being just the thing for your book/ poem/ etc. and if you keep your journal you can go back and find those little jewels. You needn't worry about your writing being fantastic (although that is nice too), just get you mind working and get out of your slump!
This week's writing prompt (which doubles as therapy):
Think about a pet peeve you have, or something your spouse-kids-sister-brother-neighbor did that really bugged you and then write what happened from THE IRRITANT'S perspective. Now you and I know they did it just to make you mad, but not really. I want you to write down the story from their perspective. You might end up with something really funny and you just might end up being a little more understanding. Okay? okay.
So. Post an excerpt if you want to share what you wrote with everyone!
So. We will provide writing prompts every week to start and I want you to start a journal and do the writing prompt in it. It can be an online journal, it can be an actual journal, or it can be a computer journal. Sometimes you will write a sentence or come across a bit of human nature that ends up being just the thing for your book/ poem/ etc. and if you keep your journal you can go back and find those little jewels. You needn't worry about your writing being fantastic (although that is nice too), just get you mind working and get out of your slump!
This week's writing prompt (which doubles as therapy):
Think about a pet peeve you have, or something your spouse-kids-sister-brother-neighbor did that really bugged you and then write what happened from THE IRRITANT'S perspective. Now you and I know they did it just to make you mad, but not really. I want you to write down the story from their perspective. You might end up with something really funny and you just might end up being a little more understanding. Okay? okay.
So. Post an excerpt if you want to share what you wrote with everyone!
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