Return of the Opening Line: Part II

Saturday, July 19, 2014  •  Prompt #76  Following yesterday’s Opening Lines post, here are two more prompts with which to experiment. Choose one of these lines for the exercise. They say I’m not normal. The one place I can be myself is… The first person I told was… Something you should know about my sister…Continue reading “Return of the Opening Line: Part II”

Return of the Opening Line: Part I

Friday, July 18, 2014  Prompt #75   Two-Step Instructions Choose one of the opening lines below and write it on the top of a fresh page of paper. Write for 15 minutes. They say I’m not normal. The one place I can be myself is… The first person I told was… Something you should knowContinue reading “Return of the Opening Line: Part I”

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”

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”

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”