June 11, 2014. Prompt #42 For the last six weeks I’ve been working on my flower bed, vegetable garden, and planters. Spring gardening is annual ritual that is sometimes hectic as I work to get soil turned and amended, seeds and seedlings planted, and everything watered in between bouts of rain and sometimes snow. Mostly,Continue reading “Plant”
Tag Archives: Ellen Orleans
Champs Elysees
June 10, 2014. Prompt #41 When I left work tonight, I came across a group of folk dancers in the plaza next to my office. They were learning the “Champs Elysees” line dance. The old-school music, the French lyrics, and the dusky setting combined for an unexpected summer moments: a mix of happiness and wistfulness,Continue reading “Champs Elysees”
Breaking News
June 9, 2014. Prompt #40 I just finished binge watching marathon viewing four seasons of Downtown Abbey. The very first episode opens with a close-up of a telegraph in motion, complete with taps and beeps as the operator sends a message. The telegraph not only grounds the story in history (in this case, 1912) butContinue reading “Breaking News”
Sunday Shape Up: Try Angle?
June 8, 2014 Prompt #39 For this week’s Sunday Shape, we turn to the triangle. Here’s a chance to examine language closely (and playfully, perhaps) and link images with people, actions or memories with abstract ideas. Instructions For five minutes, jot down associations, phrases, and images that come to mind when youContinue reading “Sunday Shape Up: Try Angle?”
Inspiration Everywhere: Poetry and Prose Readings
June 6, 2014. Prompt #38 On Thursday night, I attended an outstanding reading at Naropa’s Summer Writing Program. It featured Lee Ann Brown, Thomas Sayers Ellis, Rebecca Brown, Norma Cole, and Eleni Sikelianos. Over the next month, I’ll talk more about all these writers and how their work might inspire you. If you’ve never beenContinue reading “Inspiration Everywhere: Poetry and Prose Readings”
Inspiration Online [Part II]
June 6, 2014. Prompt #37 Today we build on yesterday’s visit to the Smithsonian’s image gallery. If you haven’t read my June 5th post, do that now. Today’s prompts build on yesterday’s images. Further Writing Project yourself into the image you are viewing. Write for 10 minutes. Does this changeContinue reading “Inspiration Online [Part II]”
Inspiration Online: Paintings, Prints, and Photos
June 5, 2014. Prompt #36 Today we turn to the Smithsonian’s image gallery to be inspired by one of the thousands of images there. Warning: This is a mesmerizing site. Don’t get so lost in exploring that you forget to write. Instructions Go to http://www.siris.si.edu. In the “Search AllContinue reading “Inspiration Online: Paintings, Prints, and Photos”
Inspiration Everywhere: Public Art II
June 4, 2014. Prompt #35 Today’s prompt follows up yesterday’s post on artist Gary Hirsh’s Bot Joy interactive mural. Learn more about the mural here and at #botstories. Instructions Writing for five minutes, list people, situations, activities, and emotions that you are afraid of. For instance, mine would include gondola rides, small planes, glass elevatorsContinue reading “Inspiration Everywhere: Public Art II”
Inspiration Everywhere: Public Art
June 3, 2014. Prompt #34 Last month in Boulder, artist Gary Hirsh of Bot Joy painted an interactive mural at the northeast corner of Arapahoe and 13th Street, near the Farmer’s Market. The mural poses several introspective questions of its viewers. You can find out more about the mural here and at #botstories. ForContinue reading “Inspiration Everywhere: Public Art”
Inspiration Everywhere: Maya Angelou
June 2, 2014. Prompt #33 As a writer, I am often asked, “Where do you find your inspiration?” That question always surprises me, as I find inspiration everywhere. In this week’s posts, I’ll offer a variety of people, places, and instances that may inspire you. Using your writer’s notebook, track what engages you throughout theContinue reading “Inspiration Everywhere: Maya Angelou”
Ellen Orleans 