Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Writing Prompt 3: Coffee Mug

I'm sharing writing prompts each Wednesday this January, and it's time for a new edition.

Writing prompts encourage free writing. Don't plot what you're going to write, and ignore the urge to edit. See the prompt and write. That's it!

Today's prompt is this white mug.

Here's what I came up with:

Oh, the stories this mug could tell. Day in, day out it sits there, watching the people shuffle, walk, and run past. Some laugh, some keep their gazes fixed on the sidewalk, but everywhere there is movement.

This mug likes itself. It knows it has a terrific proportion--the round bowl holds a lot of coffee and the matching saucer adds to its style. Plus, it can see its reflection in the saucer.

Every day it lifts its face to the sun, smiling at the puffs of clouds chugging overhead, and saluting the birds as they go about their day.

The mug belongs on this street. It knows it belongs. Why, the street might cease to exist if this one mug were to break. It might. One never knows...

***
When I went through this a second time I wanted to change the sentence starting with "Some laugh..." to end with "but everyone has a place to go" rather than "everywhere there is movement." I also would have been more specific on the amount of coffee the mug could hold. "A lot" doesn't tell you much! There are too many "it" and "its." I would have reworded some for a more interesting read.

This whole thing feels very stuffy to me. Not my favorite free writing, but that's not the point. :)

***
Did you come up with anything? Feel free to share in the comments or by e-mailing me at jill(at)jillkemerer(dot)com.

Have a fabulous Wednesday!!

14 comments:

  1. I ducked down and tried to hide behind the mug, that's all I had. He had his ever present newspaper and I wanted to hit him with it. I knew what he was going to say "I found an apartment on the Burgerschmurgerstrasse, we can go look at it tonight." I knew I had to tell him I was breaking up with him, that he was killing my time in Berlin and I was not going to move in with him. I mean, really, who cares if he was the best looking man in town? In the world? His picture was on magazine there was! He was more famous than air!
    The closer he got, the more I started to sweat. He saw me and gave me a little wave. Oh no! What do I do? I wanted to yell "No, you flaming Adonis, you cannot have me! I am not just another starlet for you to hang on your chiseled arm!!"
    He came right up to me and smiled that Chicklet smile. My heart dropped into my shaking knees.

    "Excuse me, is this chair taken?"

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    1. Love it!! I laughed at this one, Jennifer! Now I want to know--who did you see the celebrity being? :)

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    3. Oops, typo on that one!!

      Gerard Butler...or maybe Russell Crowe.

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  2. That picture is so relaxing. I like how you say the mug belongs and it knows it does. I wonder if people could be as confident as that cup? :) Great prompt today!

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    1. I know what you mean--I would love to sit on that street with that mug and just people watch. :)

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  3. Fill me.

    It's all I've got b/c I'm flying busy and I'm in need of some quick java!
    ~ Wendy

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  4. Fun, Jill! I love your prompts. Can't sit down to write something right now, but my brain is thinking...and that's a good start... :)

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    1. Anything that triggers my brain is good. :) Thanks!!

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  5. Hi,

    I have a quick question about your blog, do you think you could e-mail me?

    Heather

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Feel free to e-mail me at jill(at)jillkemerer(dot)com.

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