July 3, 2014 It’s Thursday Thought-day again, so instead of posting a prompt, I’m posing another writer’s question. Ponder, discuss among friends, consider, debate. We write for different reasons at different times. Why do you write? Do you write to understand life more fully — to explore subjects, people, or places? To better understand yourself?Continue reading “Thursday Thoughts: Why Write?”
Tag Archives: writing group
Genre Swap
June 28, 2014 Prompt #57 To wrap up revisions week, here’s a playful prompt. See if you discover anything about your writing (or yourself!) with this one. Instructions Choose a section of a story or essay you’ve written that is about a page long. Or choose a single piece of flash fiction or a shortContinue reading “Genre Swap”
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”
Thursday Thoughts: Trans-Genre
June 26, 2014 Prompt #55 Instead of a prompt today, I’m posing a few writer’s questions. Think about them yourself, ask other writing friends, or discuss your ideas here. Do you write in more than one genre — for instance poetry, fiction, and essays? If you write in more than one genre, do you considerContinue reading “Thursday Thoughts: Trans-Genre”
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?)”
Fresh Perspectives
June 24, 2014 Prompt #53 It’s revisions week here at The Writeous Sisters, so pull out a rough draft. It’s time for a tune-up! For this prompt, we shift point-of-view. While you might not incorporate anything you write for this prompt directly into your work, examining point-of-view can give you valuable insights. Instructions Choose aContinue reading “Fresh Perspectives”
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”
This I Believe (part 2)
May 22, 2014 Prompt #22 Today’s post builds on yesterday’s This I Believe prompt, offering follow-up exercises and options for writing groups. If you haven’t already read my May 21 post or listened to or read sample essays on the This I Believe website, do that now. Further Writing Choose a value orContinue reading “This I Believe (part 2)”
Ellen Orleans 