For Wednesday, August 13 Write a poem or prose piece inspired by a sign. Over the next few weeks, be on the lookout for unusual, playful, or cautionary signs. Then, incorporate one of them into a written work. Suggestions: 1. Write from the point-of-view of someone who passes the sign frequently. What goesContinue reading “Sign Up”
Category Archives: The Element of Surprise
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”
Snakes in a Jar
For Tuesday, August 5 Write a poem or flash fiction piece that revolves an unusual object, one that is particularly odd, chilling, or mildly gruesome. Suggestions: 1. Make your opening line a clear, simple description of the object: Snakes in a jar. A rusty pile of nails. A broken marionette. 2. Are you afraid toContinue reading “Snakes in a Jar”
The House with Porthole Window
Today’s Prompt Write a poem, flash fiction piece or the beginning of a story inspired by this photo. Incorporate at least four of these words: rough pie slant oboe smooth dirt bolt round home worn road deserted once must broom Write for 15 minutes.
Tick Tock
Wednesday, July 28, 2014 • Prompt #87 The element of time often adds suspense and welcome tension to writing. For this prompt, write about two people who agree to meet under this clock at 3 p.m. Suggestions and Considerations Describe the day’s weather. How does that influence the story? DoContinue reading “Tick Tock”
Rant 2.0
For Monday, July 7, 2014 Prompt #64 Today’s prompt follows up on last week’s rant prompt. Again, hints for good rant writing. Choose a topic about which you feel passionate. Let yourself go off on tangents. Let yourself be angry. Let yourself be funny. Let yourself be both. Keep your pencil moving and don’t eraseContinue reading “Rant 2.0”
Play It Backwards
June 27, 2014 Prompt #56 Today, more random play as we explore ways to re-vision, re-see, and re-imagine our work. This exercise comes from writer and translator T. Begley, from whom I took a writing workshop 20 years ago at The Naropa Institute (that’s what it was called back then). Instructions Choose a sectionContinue reading “Play It Backwards”
Double Double (Toil and Trouble?)
June 25, 2014 Prompt #54 Sometimes, a successful story is the result of careful planning, clear outlines, and a well-conceived structure. Other times, random play generates surprising results. For today’s prompt, we are going to play. Instructions Choose a section of a story or essay you’ve written that is about a page long. Or chooseContinue reading “Double Double (Toil and Trouble?)”
Ellen Orleans 