Wednesday Write

Writing Prompt 

Wednesday Write

Wednesday Write

Writing Prompt 

click image for source

Wednesday Write

Writing Prompt- I know there is an interesting story here... 

click image for the source

Wednesday Write

Writing Prompt 

click picture for source

O- Obscure Sorrows Dictionary

I find this to be amazing inspiration when playing with a new character and even my poetry- 

"
gnossienne

n. a moment of awareness that someone you’ve known for years still has a private and mysterious inner life, and somewhere in the hallways of their personality is a door locked from the inside, a stairway leading to a wing of the house that you’ve never fully explored—an unfinished attic that will remain maddeningly unknowable to you, because ultimately neither of you has a map, or a master key, or any way of knowing exactly where you stand." by JKcreative

More found here: http://www.dictionaryofobscuresorrows.com/

What would you use it for?
Do You have a favorite site for character creation or poetry?

Writing Conference Notes

Here is the great thing I wanted to share with everyone from the writers Conference I took a few weekends ago. 

I took a fiction class with Wyoming Writer Pam Houston. She had some very interesting advice to give and now I will impart this advice and fun upon my readers today and Wednesday.


 Houston gave a couple writing exercises to do. The first is her very own personal way of managing her writing and how she puts things together. Her way is called Glimmers.

Glimmers are short little moments in time taken from real life. You write a few sentences to a paragraph down from something that happened to you giving as much sensory as possible so you capture what has happened.

 The point is to make it condensed as possible (which comes into play later) and to capture something from real life that you can apply to either fiction or nonfiction.

 Here is one of mine for an example.

~ I bent down on 1 knee in the middle of Burger King to ask my boy friend to marry me. My left leg went to sleep and the tingling sensation of hyperventilation followed up my left side straight into the hand with the gold band as I popped the question~

 See very simple and according to Houston, you take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to write them all down. You are not supposed to edit as you go. The point is to catch the moment on paper or word pad- you can edit later when you want to use it in something.


Your assignment- with Houston's permission to use it- is to take 15 minutes and write three of your own glimmers. One from the last 72 hrs, one from 10 years ago, and one from anytime you would like.

 Tell me how it went in the comments as I'm very curious to see all of your reactions to this kind of exercise.


I'll be back on Wednesday to give you more from this conference enjoy!

A short note

Be inspired today!


 "People disappear when they die. Their voice, their laughter, the warmth of their breath. Their flesh. Eventually their bones. All living memory of them ceases. This is both dreadful and natural. Yet for some there is an exception to this annihilation. For in the books they write they continue to exist. We can rediscover them. Their humor, their tone of voice, their moods. Through the written word they can anger you or make you happy. They can comfort you. They can perplex you. They can alter you. All this, even though they are dead. Like flies in amber, like corpses frozen in ice, that which according to the laws of nature should pass away is, by the miracle of ink on paper, preserved. It is a kind of magic."  
~~ Diane Setterfield, from the book  The Thirteenth Tale

Early Thanksgiving Blogfest/NaNo prompt 7

Hello everyone- My blogfest entry is going to be simple, a top ten list, and my Nano prompt will follow below the entry.

 What am I grateful/ thankful for?


 10) College
 9) pens
 8) computers
 7) to be alive
 6) being published
 5) this blogging/writing community
 4) Friends
3) Family
 2) My Manly man (who supports most my decisions. )
 1) My children

 NaNo prompt:

 Try giving your characters something to be grateful for, maybe they can write a thank you letter? maybe they receive a thanks by some admirer? Perhaps they are just thankful you wrote about them, But try to incorporate it into your NaNo writing for a challenge. :) Best of luck to you all!

 I hope with all my heart everyone eats until they are stuffed, enjoys many laughs with their friends and family, and relaxes...Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

Nano prmpt 6: figurative language

Hey everyone! How is Nano coming for you all?
 Mine is slow going but I'm managing. I'm still UNDER 11,000 words, but Its okay for me.


I've been busy translating English to french, Reading for classes, and writing papers. So I haven't had a great deal of time.


For today's prompts, I'd like to use similes.


See if you can finish these sentence for similes and incorporate one into your writing:

1. As heavy as
2. As cold as
3. As hard as
4. She had skin like a
5. As cool as
6. As quick as
7. He was slow like a
8. Slippery like a

and a picture to inspire you all:

NaNo prompt 5 and inspirational poem

We are to the half way point everyone. I have prompts for you and an inspirational video I found.


 Currently I'm stuck at my 10k in words- But I'm not worried. My priorities are simple- College classes then NaNo- I have a test I'm doing this week, so I studied for the weekend instead of writing.


 Ok for the Prompts: Lets focus again on getting the words onto the page.
 Here we go- all the others at this point were warm up- now we are going to see some heavier requirements from these prompts:


Write for at least 1000 words about a breakdown, a stone, a pawprint, and a mountain. Focus on describing characters. 


Write for at least 1000 words about a robe, a prediction, a gem, and a risk. 


Write for at least 1000 words about a death, a trigger, waves, and a bell. Focus on physical descriptions. 


Write for at least 1000 words about a dire deed, a prediction, and a messenger.


Write for at least 1000 words about an act of kindness, a house, and a crutch. 
 
Write for at least 15 minutes about a fall, a song, and a perfume bottle.

Write for at least 15 minutes about a lock, and a box of chocolates
 
Write for at least 20 minutes about a change in plans, a window, and a leader.

Write for at least 20 minutes about a reversal of fortune, a child, and a theatre. 

NaNo prompt 4

I reached 10,000 words this week! YAY! 
 
Have we reached the halfway marker yet?

Times screamed at my fairy muse: 2
Nervous breakdowns: 1
Number of pens thrown across the room:0 (I bought new pens though)
Days word count has been slacked:2
How many short stories completed: 3 working through the fourth and it will be longer than the others.


Exciting even thus far: 
I almost panicked when I saw that the short story for publication in the underground anthology went over ten pages. That took away some writing time to hunker down and fix, it comes before NaNo. But all has worked out and I've managed to bring it back to the ten page length it has to be. YAY


 Remember Monday I told you I had a couple sites for story prompts...well this one is a bit more in-depth. It has names, potions, fantasy stuff, romance things, writing themes, what if anators...every thing but the basic journal prompt ideas...lol 

So for this I'll see If I can give you a prompt from a couple sections: in which I will name the section above the prompt so you can find more of them...its more a generator type thing and has a lot of possibilities, so even if you can't use a story idea, you might find inspiration by just reading them :)


 exercises: Seventh Sanctum writing 



Section: POTIONS (describes potions)


The emerald elixir with gold bubbles. It smells like nuts, but tastes like butter and excrement.

Section: MAGIC ITEM- jewelry (has a drop down to choose from)

Deathly Writer's Amulet of Time and Viciousness

Section: STORY THEME GENERATOR

Setting: cyberpunk/post-apocalypse. Theme:occult rampaging monster story

Section: ROMANCE STORY GENERATOR

In this story, a greedy librarian falls in love with a sailor who has annoyed the gods.

Section: WRITING CHALLENGE GENERATOR

The story starts in a jungle. During the story, there is a visit by a very common visitor. The story must have a hellhound in it. The story must involve a wand in it. During the story, a character gets dirty.

My Sasha wants to know if the week is over yet?

Today's Silly question:

Why does your nose run and your feet smell?

NaNo prompt 3

**I'm sorry to those looking for my blogfest entry: I didn't have time to make it out. Please forgive my poor planning.** 

How many days has it been? It feels like forever since it started and I look forward and there's still a while to go. LOL Open Mic on Friday was fantastic- we had a really good turnout with some singers, short stories (I read one of mine) and poetry (I read some of my poetry too). My best friend came with and she even read one of her pieces. So I really enjoyed this event. It's inspiring. The next one is November 19th, and I'm going to have to write new stuff for it...Hmmm

Times screamed at my fairy muse:(This week 0)
Nervous breakdowns: 0
Number of pens thrown across the room:1
Days word count has been slacked:2
How many short stories completed: 3 and a half so far.
Number of times my hand has swollen: 1 
(My right hand swells when I write or play on the computer alot- acute tendinitis is what I have in my tendons. I'm technically "not supposed" to type at all let alone write...but its part of who I am, I can't be a writer without writing :)


In this weeks installment for prompts we are doing word count- if you are having trouble adding more to your story, or don't know where to take it next here are a slew of word count prompts to get you started, get you going, and you can use the sites to keep you going if you like them...here we go!


 Exercises: Chaotic Shiny (website I found them on)

Write for at least 100 words about a house, and a note. 

Write for at least 150 words about a foreign country, a ring, and a cat. 

 Write for at least 200 words about a loss, a flower, a lion, and a table

Write for at least 250 words about a defeat, a treasured heirloom, a bridge, and a thug. 

Write for at least 300 words about a predator, and a clock

 Write for at least 400 words about a change in plans, a song, and a shop.


Write for at least 500 words about a faux pas, a locked box, tiger, and a book. 

Write for at least 600 words about a breakdown, a fire, a horse, and a dream.

Write for at least 700 words about a bottle, and a lamp. 

Write for at least 100 words about a wild animal, and a mirror.

 Write for at least 150 words about a conversation, a robe, and a candle. 

Write for at least 250 words about a romance, and a scoundrel

 Write for at least 300 words about a misstep, a farmer, and a lawyer. 

Write for at least 400 words about a guardian, and a shop. 

Write for at least 500 words about a reversal of fortune, a bathroom, a skeleton, and a bird

Write for at least 600 words about a crutch, and a bathroom. 

  Write for at least 700 words about a pair of eyeglasses, and a bucket.

Today's silly question:

So what's the speed of dark?

NaNo Prompt 2

Wow, what a week! Ready for NaNo Prompt 2? 

Tomorrow I will be attending an open mic night at a local coffee house and reading some poetry. I'm super excited about this. Has anyone else read at an open mic night?

I have decided to write as many short stories as I can instead of a novel for NaNo- Which I can then revise later. I have two completed so far. Don't know if I can actually make it to 50,000 words this way- but what the heck, atleast I'll have new material to use.

I've also decided it's much easier to blog daily then think up story ideas...Sighs...

For anyone just coming to my blog- I'm only posting twice a week for NaNo  (mondays and thursdays) and they will be writing prompts.December I will resume my daily blogposts

 My stats:
Times screamed at my fairy muse:6
Nervous breakdowns: 0
Number of pens thrown across the room: does wanting to throw a few count?
Days word count has been slacked:1
Best daily word count to date: 2,160
Days stapled finger: 1
(Since I know everyone will ask- my daughter wanted to use my tiny stapler, and so here I was in the middle of word count, and I had to stop mid-line and load a stapler. I pushed down on the end to click it in place- and it pushed a staple right through the side of my finger! My daughter gawked at me and then made a sick face as I pulled it from my finger and blood came from both holes...LOL- and yes it hurt, no I wont be doing that again anytime soon!)




Exercise: Taken from "Unjournaling" by Dawn DiPrince and Cheryl Miller Thurston. pg 19

 

 "WHINE, BELLYACHE, COMPLAIN, MOAN, CRITICIZE

  Create a conversation that uses some form of each of these words."

Remember you do not have to specifically use this, make it match whatever you are writing, incorporate it into some part of your story.
Silly question: Why is it considered necessary to nail down the lid of a coffin?

NaNo Prompt 1

I didn't make it into Glimmer train press this year :( but that's okay- another rejection to add to my project :) I'll post the official rejection on my "rejections" page as soon as they send it to me...they post finalists and winners up on their homepage...so I knew right away.

Alright Everyone...I'm geared and ready to go. As you see this, I will be typing away accomplishing homework so I can write 2000 words this evening for NaNo! My goal is to write atleast 2000 words per night.


I have a fun little thing to keep you all posted as well.
 This is how I'll keep a general idea going for you on my accomplishments, or failures:

Times screamed at my fairy muse:

Nervous breakdowns:
Number of pens thrown across the room:
Days word count has been slacked:
Best daily word count to date:

Least word count to date: 

Of course it will be blank until my next prompt post- but atleast you have an idea of what you will see. 
 And now for the very first NaNo writing prompt...

Exercise: Taken from "Unjournaling" by Dawn DiPrince and Cheryl Miller Thurston. pg 9

" SILLY is a middle aged man who combs his hair into a swirl on top of his balding head, gluing them in place with hair spray and hoping no one will notice.

 SILLY is a golden retriever who slinks sheepishly off the sofa whenever his owner comes home, hoping-despite the piles of hair all over the cushion- that she/he wont notice he's been sleeping on there.

 What else is SILLY?

Give three examples"

And if this doesn't work for you check out my 2 minutes or less 
for more 

Remember you do not have to specifically use this, make it match whatever you are writing, incorporate it into some part of your story, or even as this is day one, start off with one of those SILLY examples.

2 minutes or less

"A writer never has a vacation. For a writer life consists of either writing or thinking about writing. "
Eugene Ionesco

Writing in 2 minutes or less: exercises to inspire you.

1) Write for at least 100 words about a reconciliation, a border, and a bridge. 

2) Write for at least 2 minutes about a message, a table, and a musical instrument. Focus on writing from a different perspective than your usual one. 

3) Write for at least 1 minute about a hat, and a journal. 

4) Write for at least 100 words about a misstep, a painting, and a house. Focus on description that uses all five senses. 

5) Write for at least 2 minutes about a surrender, a drinking glass, and a businesswoman. 

6) Write for at least 200 words about a journal, and a risk. Focus on physical descriptions. 

7) Write for at least 2 minutes about a relationship beginning, a dance, and a story. 

I figure with two weeks left til NaNo why not give you all something to write about...who knows maybe knew ideas will come for you like they did for me. And since we are all pressed for time it seems- why not give you ones you could do in a very short period of time...


Leave me a comment and let me know which one you like.

Wednesday Writing prompt

Practice, practice, practice writing. Writing is a craft that requires both talent and acquired skills. You learn by doing, by making mistakes and then seeing where you went wrong.
Jeffrey A. Carver 

Here is todays writing prompt: 

Your character finds a box of scorched human hair. Whose is it and how did it get there?

think about the five senses, maybe just write up what it would smell like, look like, feel like, without using a cliche? Maybe use metaphors and similes to help you...

With so many blogfests coming up this could be an opportunity to make a new piece for one of those writing blogfests. Good luck everyone!

Don't forget you have until friday to add your sentence to Mondays Wit win- Wing it

Wednesday Writing prompt: Dear inspiration

Today I only hope to inspire you with a video. I'm learning how to use them in posts. Its always good to try new things, even if it fails horribly. So in light of trying something new, write a letter or poem to your muse. If you want to scream at him/her then do so in the piece. If you're bored with the current muse and want a trade in, by all means write yours up for sale. :) Just write...

Writing prompt: A+ paper?

 Ok, so it should be posted tomorrow but I'm participating in another great Blogfest: Christines Rainy day blogfest So I'm posting my normal wed prompt today instead.

My good Friend sent me this picture and I thought what wonderful writing inspiration...can you do better or worse even? Please feel free to share in the comments at the bottom.

Here's mine, short and sweet but fun:
She had sex in the church with who?

 I know I'm lazy but at least I tried it :)

What do you think of this A+ paper?

Don't forget to sign up for my blogfest: Click here

Wednesday Writing prompt ect...

  Honestly, I've been having so much fun creating "in their own words" for my characters in my notebooks, which has really inspired me to write  more than I have in a good long while. Granted its not exactly in the story, but hey I'm writing.

Tomorrow is the Guess the Character blogfest so my post will be up for that, then on Friday I'll post what the character really looks like, atleast from my side. On Saturday I have a fun little book review I did. After this weekend my classes at the college start. I'm not sure How much time I will have to post daily as I have been but I will do my best to post regularly, I'll even make some things in advance just in case for you guys!

I've also been reading in on other blogs and found some great advice for writers, have a look through these blogs...
Fun Manuscript parallel
Show Vs Tell
Comma usage
Title your book
not so humble verbs

So this weeks prompt is a picture. Look at it and beyond it, what do you see? Its like me looking out a window with descriptions, use a thesaurus this week and find different ways to describe the picture. If a picture is worth 1000 words, then a few descriptions should be easy :)

this is one of my own pictures from a road trip- I wont say where, cause I want you guys to do this without it. But isn't the view stunning?