May 11, 2014 Prompt #10 Using yesterday’s exercise, choose one of the situations below and fit it into the setting you have created. Feel free, as always to change pronouns, adjective and details in the examples. Write for 15 minutes. A man is searching for something. A young child is humming to herself. Two exhaustedContinue reading “Creating Atmosphere (part 2)”
Author Archives: Ellen Orleans
Creating Atmosphere
May 10, 2014 Prompt #9 Here’s one of my favorite kids/science nerd jokes: Q. Why did the restaurant on the moon go out of business? A. Because it had no atmosphere! Like a good restaurant, good writing needs atmosphere, which I loosely define as the mood, tone, or feel of the piece. What contributes toContinue reading “Creating Atmosphere”
Paint Chip Poetry
May 9, 2014 Prompt #8 Preparation For today’s prompt, we’ll use the paint chips mentioned in the May 4th blog entry. If you haven’t already procured paint chips, try this prompt once you’ve gotten them or cut up three of more squares of different colors from magazines or catalogs.While paint chip hunting, try toContinue reading “Paint Chip Poetry”
Two Truths and a Lie
May 8, 2014 Prompt #7 Creative Falsehoods and Other Ways to Stretch Your Imagination Perhaps you’ve played “Two Truths and A Lie” as an ice breaker in school, at work, or with friends. This prompt expands on this “get-to-know-you” game. Instructions On a blank piece of paper, write three sentences about yourself, your family orContinue reading “Two Truths and a Lie”
Keeping A Writer’s Notebook
May 7, 2014 Prompt #6 Today’s prompt takes a different slant, one in which you create your own list of writing springboards inspired by daily life. Getting Started Find or buy a notebook small enough to carry with you in a bag, briefcase, or even a coat pocket. As you go through your day, payContinue reading “Keeping A Writer’s Notebook”
Imagined History of a Lost Object
May 6, 2014 Prompt #5 Before Getting Started: Pen or Keyboard? Before I launch today’s prompt, I want to talk about writing vs. typing. Through out this blog, you’ll see instructions such as “Write the phrase on a fresh piece of paper” Which raises a question my students frequently ask: “Is it better to writeContinue reading “Imagined History of a Lost Object”
Body Parts, Inc.
May 5, 2014 Prompt #4 Today’s Prompt: Embodied Here’s a simple but surprisingly powerful writing prompt. I first used it when I was leading writing workshops for GLBT high school students. Instructions Choose a body part from the word list below and match it with an adjective from the list below that. Feel free toContinue reading “Body Parts, Inc.”
Opening Lines
May 4, 2014 Prompt #3 Getting Started For many writers, staring at a blank page or empty screen is daunting. Some wonder, “What should I write about? What will people think of my story?” Others ask, “How do I begin? How do I shape that all-important first line?” My advice? 1. Turn off your innerContinue reading “Opening Lines”
Interview With A Plant
May 3, 2014 • Exercise #2 15 to 20 minutes Getting Started I just got off the phone with a long-time writing friend who reminded me about this playful writing exercise: “Interview with a Plant.” I first wrote from this prompt on a hike sponsored by Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks. The instructions wereContinue reading “Interview With A Plant”
What If?
May 2, 2014 • Exercise #1 This first exercise gives you a series or words and phrases to work with. I suggest printing the text below on a sheet of lined paper or typing it onto a fresh electronic page. Once you’ve finished that, start your 10-minute times and fill in the blanks with a shortContinue reading “What If?”
Ellen Orleans 