Inspiration from Nature – Ellen Orleans

Fallow

Thursday, October 2 According to Jewish law and tradition, this year, 5775, is a Shmita or Sabbatical year, when Jewish farmers are supposed to let the land rest. The idea of fallow fields got me thinking about what grows when you don’t actively plant seeds, either physically or metaphorically. Prompt #1 Write about toiling, perseverance, steppingContinue reading “Fallow”

Bouquet

For Sunday, August 10 Micro Prompt: Write about giving, receiving or arranging a bouquet of flowers–either wildflowers, garden flowers, or flowers from a florist. Write for 15 minutes.

End of Day

For Thursday, August 7 Write a poem or flash fiction piece that includes a sunset. Playing off of yesterday’s post, try incorporating yesterday’s suggestions or work with some of these. 1. Write from the point of view of someone on the boat or on the island in the photo. Imagine they are eager for theContinue reading “End of Day”

Day Break

For Wednesday, August 6 Write a poem or flash fiction piece that includes a sunrise. Suggestions: 1. If there’s a person involved, write about their interior state of mind. 2. Write about the most dramatic sunrise you’ve ever seen. 3. Write about waiting in relation to a sunrise. 4. Sunrises are often signs of hopeContinue reading “Day Break”

Animal Tendencies

Tuesday, July 27, 2014 • Prompt #86 Write a poem or flash fiction piece inspired by a vintage illustration of an animal. Click here for illustrations or look for prints at a used book shop or library. Suggestions Use specific, concrete details. Capture a moment in time. As (almost) always, use sensoryContinue reading “Animal Tendencies”

A Giant Leap

Sunday, July 20, 2014 • Prompt #77 Today marks the 45th anniversary of the moon landing. Today’s Prompt: If you are old enough to remember, write about where you were when Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon. Describe where you watched or listened to the landing. Who was with you? WhatContinue reading “A Giant Leap”

City Sidewalks

For Wednesday, July 16, 2014 Prompt #73 Write about an encounter on a city street. Writing Tips: This can be an encounter between two people, a person and a sign, an older person and a toddler, three dogs, or some other combination. Balance observation, description, and dialogue. Write for 15 minutes. Book Suggestion:Continue reading “City Sidewalks”

Roar!

Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Prompt #72 Yesterday afternoon, I wandered through Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, the inspiration for today’s writing prompt. Write about zoos. Writing Tips: You can focus on a particular zoo, animal, visit, or a opinion about zoos. Or you can write in a more abstract, mixed-up, or interwovenContinue reading “Roar!”

Caught!

For Sunday, July 13, 2014 Prompt #70 Today is another quick prompt: Write about your experiences fishing or watching others fish. Writing Tips Include sensory details, including sense of smell, about place, time, weather conditions, or what you were wearing. Include specifics about the kind of fishing you were doingContinue reading “Caught!”

Sunday Shape-Up: Spiral

July 6, 2014 Prompt #63 For this, the final Sunday Shape-Up prompt, I turn to the spiral. As this long holiday weekend included for me both an unexpected funeral and an unexpected wedding, the spiral, with its nod toward the cyclical nature of life seems appropriate. Instructions On a blank piece ofContinue reading “Sunday Shape-Up: Spiral”