Week # 161

My father was a charming man.

Surf on over...

At one time or another we have all pondered the questions: what the heck do editors want, anyway? Well, now we can find out. Check out the Six Questions For.. blog where Jim Harrington asks, and discovers, what it is that editors want.

sixquestionsfor.blogspot.com/

the green moss
glows greener
as the grey day
sinks greyer

Random Exercise

Think of three things that are purple. Use these three objects in a short story.

Week #160

Jared suddenly realized his problem was much bigger than he had thought.

on the windowpane
one small black spider
tiptoeing across the sky

Occupy Imagination

Lately it has become very popular to occupy a place. So I suggest this weekend we occupy our imaginations. Let's devote some time to our creativity. Let's make a writing date. Let's take our notebooks to a coffee shop, or art gallery, or train station. Let's sit down and occupy our imaginations and see how we can change the world.

If you need a prompt to get you started use these three words in a short story:

doodle, crumb, song.

(And let me know how your own Occupy Imagination went. What did you do?)

Quote

"I admire anybody who has the guts to write anything at all."

~ E. B. White

Week #159

It figured that the first thing Marilyn won in her life was a prize she did not even want.

Random Exercise

If you were walking along today and saw a note on the ground and picked it up to read it - what would it say? Is it handwritten? From a child, or an adult? Does it have spelling mistakes? Is it silly, or heartfelt? Write that note.

I watched
as the last bird flew south
leaving the sky empty

Theme Exercise

Write a short story on the theme of:

happiness.

between sand and snow
the crunch of my footsteps
in fallen leaves

Week #158

There comes a time when even the most patient person reaches their limit.

Half a Writing Adventure

This is only half a writing adventure because you are going to stay at home, but you get to open the window! (I know, I know, the thrill factor just went through the roof, didn't it? I felt it, too.)

I want you to open a window and just listen for a few minutes. Try listening without looking so you hear the sounds but do not see the sights. Then try to capture what you heard on a piece of paper. (And don't forget to close the window!)

Quote

"Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It's about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.(...) Writing is magic, as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink.

Drink and be filled up."

~ Stephen King from On Writing

Random Exercise

Use these three words in a short story:

popcorn, hulu hoop, Tarzan.

Week #157

I watched the man and woman across the restaurant unable to decide if they were on a bad first date or at the end of an unhappy marriage.