The Face of Frustration

Thursday, September 18 Hey Everyone — I’m back from my summer hiatus with more prompts, recommendations and explorations of the craft of writing. Today’s prompt: Write about frustration. Suggestions and inspirations: 1. Writing in prose, write a series of dialogue-free actions that depicts growing frustration. Write for 15 minutes 2. Writing poetry, create pacing, wordContinue reading “The Face of Frustration”

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”

Summer Solstice Ritual

June 21, 2014.  Prompt #51 After dinner with friends tonight , I marked this longest day of the year with a walk to Wonderland Lake. There, redwings chattered, the foothills reflected themselves in the water, and two mallard chicks paddled behind with their mother. On the path home, I nearly bumped into a mule deer.Continue reading “Summer Solstice Ritual”

Developing Character

June 20, 2014.  Prompt #50 To write effectively about characters, it’s crucial to thoroughly develop their fictional lives. Once you have a clear sense of who they are, you’ll be able to better write dialogue for them and describe their gestures, expressions, and habits. How does your character entertain herself, how does he dress, whatContinue reading “Developing Character”

Picture {Postcard} Perfect

June 19, 2014.  Prompt #49 Today’s prompt may take you to places unknown. Have a marvelous journey.     Instructions Do you have a collection of old travel postcards?  If so, choose one for this prompt. If not, in Google image, Flickr, or another image search, type “travel postcards.” Choose a postcard image from it.Continue reading “Picture {Postcard} Perfect”

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”

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”