June 14, 2014. Prompt #45 Recently, my good friend Lori visited Chicago’s famous “Cloud Gate” sculpture, affectionately known as “The Bean” by locals. Designed by Anish Kapoor, this bulging, looming, delightful public artwork reflects on levels. Its mirror finish reflects the buildings, plaza, and sky around it. It reflects the crowds of people looking at it.Continue reading “Self Reflection”
Tag Archives: writing ideas
Run Away
June 14, 2014. Prompt #45 Write about running away. Instructions Write about an actual act or a symbolic one. Write a true story, a fantasy, or a fictional account. Consider how running away might vary for a child, teenager, or adult. Further Writing Write a list of 6 things that you (orContinue reading “Run Away”
Thirteen
June 13, 2014. Prompt #44 In honor of Friday the 13th, here’s a lucky writing prompt. Instructions Write about a superstition that you believe in, don’t believe in, or are on the fence about. Write for 13 minutes. Further Writing Make up a superstition. Give it history or cultural background. Write convincingly why weContinue reading “Thirteen”
De-Construction
June 12, 2014. Prompt #43 Walking with friends along Pearl Street tonight, we came across the demolition of the Daily Camera building, a structure that housed our local newspaper for decades. (It moved east of downtown several years ago.) For today’s prompt (somewhat the philosophical opposite of yesterday’s prompt) we’llContinue reading “De-Construction”
Plant
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”
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”
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”
Ellen Orleans 