January is coming to a close and with it this series of writing prompts. I know you are crying. :(
I've had a lot of fun free-writing to these prompts. My inner editor could not be silenced, but instead of "fixing" the problems, I detailed what I would have done to fix them. A good lesson on its own.
Here's the final prompt--I hope you enjoy it!
Lilac Bushes
Here's what I came up with:
Ahh...sweet, glorious, purple nectar! Bree, who hated her name since it rhymed with her species, flew into the biggest cluster she could see. She rolled, smiling, and inhaled the beauty of spring. Time to get to business. She scanned for the best spot.
And saw him. Johnny. A buzz pushed her wings faster.
Please let him not see me. Please let him not...
"Hey, Bree-Bee. You've got some nerve stopping in here today. It's my territory."
"Says who?" She tried to sound brave.
"Says me. After that little stunt you pulled the other night, you'll be lucky to show your face at any flower on this block."
***
I would have changed the word "since" in the second sentence because it can be misread. Also, "the beauty of spring" doesn't really match the connotation. It's generic. I would have spent time coming up with a better phrase. Everything about the second paragraph annoys me. I would have reworded it or scrapped it!
"You've got some nerve," is a cliche, and I highly doubt a bee named Johnny would say, "...at any flower on this block."
Sigh...
***
What comes to mind when you see lilacs? Did you try this prompt? What did you come up with? Feel free to e-mail me! jill(at)jillkemerer(dot)com
Have a wonderful Wednesday!!
Showing posts with label writing prompts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing prompts. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
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!!
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!!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Writing Prompt 2: The Facts
This week's writing prompt is a little different. It's based on who, where, when. You provide the what.
Remember, writing prompts are to encourage free writing and creativity. They aren't for following "rules" or revising. If what you write sparks a story idea, fantastic! But it's okay for your writing to exist just for the sake of existing. :)
At the end of the prompt, I'll share my unedited free-writing based on it. Do NOT feel obligated to read my piece.
Writing Prompt 2: The Facts
Who: Bob Smith
Where: Poolside in Cancun, Mexico
When: Dusk
What is happening?
***
Here's what I came up with.
"Mommy, what's that man doing with that brown ball?"
Earlene shaded her eyes and crouched next to Tammy. The man her four-year-old pointed at held a coconut high in the air. She couldn't see his face, obscured by the assorted palms and bushes bordering the pool. The shadows of the coming night played illusions on the figure, like curtains blowing in the breeze.
Something was off. His posture sent red flags flapping in her brain.
"I don't know, honey. Come on, let's find Daddy." She pulled Tammy by the shoulders and hurried away before the man could see them, but she peeked back before they slipped around the corner. The man crushed the coconut into the bush--but she knew it wasn't just a bush. Two bare feet were visible under the lush vegetation.
Shuddering, she tossed one last glance at his face.
Bob Smith. What was he doing there? Foreboding pounded her, made her breath come in shallow gasps. She clutched Tammy's hand tightly and started jogging toward the lobby. She had to protect them both from the man who'd turned her teenage years into a nightmare.
She wouldn't relive them. She wouldn't go back.
***
As I read this over, I would have expanded the setting. I wanted to go with an early eighties vibe. Bob would be wearing short, Hawaiian print swim trunks, and Earlene would clutch her terry-cloth cover-up closer to her. There would be an ominous ocean breeze to contrast her earlier contentment watching Tammy build sandcastles. And, I would have fixed the grammar issue of the misplaced modifier and omitted one of the similes referring to "flapping" or "blowing."
I'm really enjoying taking ten minutes a few times a week to try these writing prompts. I hope you'll spend a few minutes too. It's fun! And feel free to share any in the comments or even by e-mailing me [jill(at)jillkemerer(dot)com]. I would love to see what you come up with!
Have a great day!
Remember, writing prompts are to encourage free writing and creativity. They aren't for following "rules" or revising. If what you write sparks a story idea, fantastic! But it's okay for your writing to exist just for the sake of existing. :)
At the end of the prompt, I'll share my unedited free-writing based on it. Do NOT feel obligated to read my piece.
Writing Prompt 2: The Facts
Who: Bob Smith
Where: Poolside in Cancun, Mexico
When: Dusk
What is happening?
***
Here's what I came up with.
"Mommy, what's that man doing with that brown ball?"
Earlene shaded her eyes and crouched next to Tammy. The man her four-year-old pointed at held a coconut high in the air. She couldn't see his face, obscured by the assorted palms and bushes bordering the pool. The shadows of the coming night played illusions on the figure, like curtains blowing in the breeze.
Something was off. His posture sent red flags flapping in her brain.
"I don't know, honey. Come on, let's find Daddy." She pulled Tammy by the shoulders and hurried away before the man could see them, but she peeked back before they slipped around the corner. The man crushed the coconut into the bush--but she knew it wasn't just a bush. Two bare feet were visible under the lush vegetation.
Shuddering, she tossed one last glance at his face.
Bob Smith. What was he doing there? Foreboding pounded her, made her breath come in shallow gasps. She clutched Tammy's hand tightly and started jogging toward the lobby. She had to protect them both from the man who'd turned her teenage years into a nightmare.
She wouldn't relive them. She wouldn't go back.
***
As I read this over, I would have expanded the setting. I wanted to go with an early eighties vibe. Bob would be wearing short, Hawaiian print swim trunks, and Earlene would clutch her terry-cloth cover-up closer to her. There would be an ominous ocean breeze to contrast her earlier contentment watching Tammy build sandcastles. And, I would have fixed the grammar issue of the misplaced modifier and omitted one of the similes referring to "flapping" or "blowing."
I'm really enjoying taking ten minutes a few times a week to try these writing prompts. I hope you'll spend a few minutes too. It's fun! And feel free to share any in the comments or even by e-mailing me [jill(at)jillkemerer(dot)com]. I would love to see what you come up with!
Have a great day!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Writing Prompt: Red Dress
I'm going to take the next few Wednesdays to share quick and easy writing prompts with you. If you choose to use them, great! If not, that's okay too! It's just good to throw new things at our brains. I'll bet thoughts come to you about this even if you don't write anything down!
If you haven't tried writing prompts, you're in for a treat. You're basically writing the first thing that comes to you. No plotting, outlining, or sitting for an hour thinking of something. Just write whatever comes to mind. No one has to see the results but you! And the best part? You don't have to edit!
I'm being brave. Every time I share a writing prompt, I'll include what I came up with. This is free-writing, unedited, and usually off-kilter. Do NOT feel obligated to read!
Writing Prompt: Red Dress
You spot this girl coming out of the drug store.
Here's what I came up with:
That's the third Taylor Swift look-alike I've seen this morning. This one's even wearing red. She must have taken the whole "Red" album to heart. I want to yell, you can still be a fan and wear blue, but I don't.
Checking my watch, I speed up. I can't afford to be late today, not with my district manager sniffing out potential fire-ees. I toss the Taylor imposter a quick glance as I get ready to pass her. What in the world? I frown, craning my neck for a better look.
It's her, Taylor Swift! I can't help myself--I peek into her plastic Rite Aid bag. I think I see Neosporin, or wait, is that anti-itch cream? Does she have an infection? A rash?
She clutches the bag to her and gives me a you-look-like-a-stalker stare. Hey, honey, I don't have time to stalk anyone, and if I did, it would be someone like Channing Tatum. Someone without a raging fungul infection.
I resume my pace, this time smiling widely.
***
Okay, I found it VERY hard not to edit this after I read it! My inner critic yelled to change the word "speed" to "hustle as much as my four-inch heels would let me." And, frankly, the POV is catty and mean. But, hey, this is what free-writing is all about. :)
Do you ever use writing prompts? What do you naturally tend to write?
Happy Wednesday!
If you haven't tried writing prompts, you're in for a treat. You're basically writing the first thing that comes to you. No plotting, outlining, or sitting for an hour thinking of something. Just write whatever comes to mind. No one has to see the results but you! And the best part? You don't have to edit!
I'm being brave. Every time I share a writing prompt, I'll include what I came up with. This is free-writing, unedited, and usually off-kilter. Do NOT feel obligated to read!
Writing Prompt: Red Dress
You spot this girl coming out of the drug store.
Here's what I came up with:
That's the third Taylor Swift look-alike I've seen this morning. This one's even wearing red. She must have taken the whole "Red" album to heart. I want to yell, you can still be a fan and wear blue, but I don't.
Checking my watch, I speed up. I can't afford to be late today, not with my district manager sniffing out potential fire-ees. I toss the Taylor imposter a quick glance as I get ready to pass her. What in the world? I frown, craning my neck for a better look.
It's her, Taylor Swift! I can't help myself--I peek into her plastic Rite Aid bag. I think I see Neosporin, or wait, is that anti-itch cream? Does she have an infection? A rash?
She clutches the bag to her and gives me a you-look-like-a-stalker stare. Hey, honey, I don't have time to stalk anyone, and if I did, it would be someone like Channing Tatum. Someone without a raging fungul infection.
I resume my pace, this time smiling widely.
***
Okay, I found it VERY hard not to edit this after I read it! My inner critic yelled to change the word "speed" to "hustle as much as my four-inch heels would let me." And, frankly, the POV is catty and mean. But, hey, this is what free-writing is all about. :)
Do you ever use writing prompts? What do you naturally tend to write?
Happy Wednesday!
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