12/26/19

3 More Interim No Frills Prompts, Dec. 26

It's been an extremely busy holiday season, apologies for the delay in the Winter Series starting. I'm hoping to get it going tomorrow, but for the meantime, here is another couple no frills exercises to get your writing ball rolling.

No Frills Prompt #1:

Write a piece in which a person is changing a tire and is a victim of a hit and run.

No Frills Prompt #2:

Title: Turbulent Waters

No Frills Prompt #3:

Use the following 5 words in a piece: Trickery, Foolish, Hunt, Groom, Lampshade

12/23/19

3 Interim "no frills" writing exercise for December 23rd

I'll be starting the Winter Writing Exercise Series soon, hopefully tomorrow, but I'm travelling for the holidays and haven't had a chance to start the new graphic/layout so here's 3 no frills prompt harkening back a couple years.

No Frills Prompt #1:

Write a piece in which one character is trying to chase down something rolling/blowing away from them while another is shot/killed unbeknownst to them.

No Frills Prompt #2:

Title: Enough Was Once Again, Enough

No Frills Prompt #3:

Use the following 5 words in a piece: Froth, Certainty, Forty, Yelp, Eradicate

12/22/19

Fall Writing Exercise Series #112: 3x5x10+ Wordbank 18


The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

I know it's winter now! But I'm too busy to update the template so we get one more day of fall.

#112
3x5x10+ Wordbank 18
For today's writing exercise complete the following steps.

1) Pick one word from each of three groups and write a sentence that includes all of the words, feel free to change tense, pluralize, gerund etc. 
2) Repeat the process ten (10) times using different combinations. No dawdling!
3) Now write five (5) sentences that are five words or fewer in length that use any two (2) words.
4) Now write three (3) sentences that use four or more of the words.
5) Now write a piece of fiction or poetry that uses at least three (3) of those sentences. Try to use as many of the (good) sentences as you can, or parts of the sentences if the whole thing doesn't fit or works better altered.


Word Bank 1:
  • Barrel
  • Hazelnut
  • Palm
  • Husk
  • Elongate
Wordbank 2:
  • Arsenic
  • Lace
  • Poncho
  • Swell
  • Bloody

Wordbank 3
:
  • Yam
  • Blanket
  • Surplus
  • Rend
  • Tacky

Bonus writing exercise: Include an animal that is larger than a human on some sort of public transportation.

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Want some mellow background writing music? Try From All of Us Here Pt. 1 by Thankusomuch.




















12/21/19

Fall Writing Exercise Series #111: Six Word Shootout with the Force 15


The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

#111
Six Word Shootout with the Force 15

For today's writing exercise write a piece that includes the following six words. While it perfectly sets you up for a sestina, feel free to write whatever you'd like (but ya know, give that sestina a shot!). Also feel free to make slight alterations to the required words if you want to avoid that eye-pokey repetition you can find in sestinas sometimes.

Required Words: Trouble, Force, Mask, Fall, Light, Ghost

Bonus Exercise: Include in your piece both lightning and fire in the same scene. 
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If you'd like some background music to write to, try the album "Systems/Layers" by chamber group Rachel's.























12/20/19

Fall Writing Exercise Series #110: Beginning & Ending with Sap 17


The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.
#110

Beginning & Ending with Sap 17
For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which begins with one image, scenario, line of dialog or place and ends with another, and an optional additional requirement.


Begin WithA small tree being chopped down.

End WithA spill of maple syrup just skinning over.


Extra Credit RequirementsInclude the description of a salty snack; and the words: "Flu" "Biscuit" "Rat" and "Glue".


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If you'd like some background music, try eclectic rock band Lord Vapour's 2018 album Semuta.











12/19/19

Fall Writing Exercise Series #109 Title Mania Plus Air 17


The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.
#109
Title Mania Plus Air 17

For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which uses one of the following as its title. For a bonus challenge use the additional exercise of five random constraints.


Titles:
  1. Elicit Encounter
  2. We Surrounded the Arcade Game Cheering
  3. Jones Beach, 1988
  4. Sugar Cookies Cut Like Stars
  5. Pine Needles, Rosemary and Juniper Berries

Bonus Exercise: 5 Random Constraints
(I recommend picking any required words or lines before writing with a little surplus for options, but with your chosen title in mind)
  1. Your first paragraph must include a drinking vessel/cup of some sort.
  2. You must include at least five words which begin with the letter combination "Pl".
  3. You must include at least 4 consecutive words from the poem "Automatonophobia" by Victoria Nordlund, the latest poem posted by Maudlin House on December 12th, 2019.
  4. You must include the words "Snow" "Garnish" "Ham-fisted" and "Funnel".
  5. Your piece must include something electronic that makes a bell ringing sound.

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If you'd like some background music to write to, try the French band Air's album Moon Safari.













12/18/19

Fall Writing Exercise Series #108: Ekphrastic in the sky


The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.


#108
Ekphrastic in the sky


F
or today, we're going to write a poem or prose piece inspired by another piece of art or an ekphrastic piece. The piece of art in question is "in the sky" by Roman Avseenko


If nothing right off strikes you try the following exercises along with the image.
  1. Tell the story of the ring's arrival. What accompanied it and why is it so near this train station?
  2. Write a narrative from the perspective of a passenger on a train passing right under the ring when it suddenly appears (and with what physics consequences).
  3. Write a piece in which this ring has been mysteriously floating there for centuries with no one able to figure out anything about it. Follow the person who cracks the mystery. How? What is it and why is it there?
  4. Write a short piece in which aliens make contact and greatly improve humanity, but they make us build trains everywhere because for some reason, they love trains.
  5. Write a piece which revolves around the construction of a 'sky elevator' which will drastically reduce the cost of bringing material into space and will usher a new era of space exploration. But first the thing has to be built. Write about either the experience of locals that are just trying to live their lives in the shadow of the elevator's construction; or about specialists brought in to do one very vital but very dangerous step.

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If you'd like background writing music try Ralph Vaughan Williams- Oboe Concerto - The Lark Ascending - Robert Haydon Clark - Consort of London.







Fall Writing Exercise Series #107 Three Things and a Random Title 11


The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

#107
Three Things and a Random Title 11
For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which contains the following three things, using a title generated by the random title generator linked below. Nice and simple. If you're not intimately familiar with these things do a little reading and see if a piece of info sticks out.



Title:
 Use this title generator. Get a look at the 3 things below that you must use and generate phrases 6 at a time. Try the more button on the generator no more than three times. If you click it a third time, that's it. Pick one of those. This is one of the better title generators I've found.


  1. A Broken Coffee Cup
  2. A Sky Island 
  3. A Golf Ball



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If you'd like some background music to write to, try Alexandra Zerner's Opus 1880.











12/16/19

Clifford Garstang's blog Perpetual Folly just posted their 2020 Literary Magazine Rankings


Clifford Garstang's Literary Magazine Rankings are a familiar sight to many active short form submitters over the years—writers of poetry, short stories and essays can all find their literary journals, reviews and magazines of note (specifically, of note to the Pushcart Prize Best of Small Presses).

I really appreciate the approach of using the Pushcart Prize anthology as the basis because it takes out the individual bias of the listmaker. I've long toyed with the idea of doing one with a combination of Pushcart, Best American (special shout out to John Fox for his lists using Best American), Best of the Net and O Henry anthologies but.... so many ideas, so little time. So once again big ups to Clifford Garstang for putting in the legwork for this list yet again in 2020.

Here is the Literary Magazine Rankings for Fiction
Here is the Literary Magazine Rankings for Poetry
Here is the Literary Magazine Rankings for Non Fiction




Fall Writing Exercise Series #106: Headbanging Repetition


The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

#106
Headbanging Repetition

For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which contains the following phrase at least four times (non-sequentially):

"Like banging your head against _______."

    The most likely rationale for this repetition is someone that is faced with tasks that are impossible/impossible with their tools. But it could be about someone that likes banging their head against things due to whatever reason. It could be someone recalling their week while going through a slow-motion car crash where they're hitting their head on things as the instance being recalled shifts. Or do something completely different. Just be sure that the repeated phrase earns its worth in your piece. It should be necessary.

    Bonus Exercise: Also include the description of something smashing against a pole, and include the words "Whirred" "Supplies" "Tinge" and "Fruitful".
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    If you'd like some background music to write to, try this performance of The Cello Concertos by Haydn.



















    12/15/19

    Fall Writing Exercise Series #105: 3x5x10+ Wordbank 17


    The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

    These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

    #105
    3x5x10+ Wordbank 17
    For today's writing exercise complete the following steps.

    1) Pick one word from each of three groups and write a sentence that includes all of the words, feel free to change tense, pluralize, gerund etc. 
    2) Repeat the process ten (10) times using different combinations. No dawdling!
    3) Now write five (5) sentences that are five words or fewer in length that use any two (2) words.
    4) Now write three (3) sentences that use four or more of the words.
    5) Now write a piece of fiction or poetry that uses at least three (3) of those sentences. Try to use as many of the (good) sentences as you can, or parts of the sentences if the whole thing doesn't fit or works better altered.


    Word Bank 1:
    • Furrow
    • Cirrus
    • Dip
    • Flicker
    • Sweep
    Wordbank 2:
    • Kneel
    • Pledge
    • Shelter
    • Conch
    • Cap

    Wordbank 3
    :
    • Yodel
    • Tropics
    • Feline
    • Visions
    • Prostrate

    Bonus writing exercise: Include two of the following words in your title: Met, Catch, We, Flung, Tackle, Escape.

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    Want some mellow background writing music? Try Harold McNair's Flute and Nut.



















    12/14/19

    Fall Writing Exercise Series #104: Beginning & Ending with Breaking the Surface 16


    The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

    These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.
    #104

    Beginning & Ending with Breaking the Surface 16
    For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which begins with one image, scenario, line of dialog or place and ends with another, and an optional additional requirement.


    Begin WithA geode being cracked open.

    End WithA duck diving under water.


    Extra Credit RequirementsInclude the description of a salty snack; and the words: "Turret" "Knot" "Rut" and "Glee".


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    If you'd like some background music, try Milt Jackson's Greatest Hits.










    12/13/19

    Fall Writing Exercise Series #103: Six Word Shootout with Bread Baking 14


    The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

    These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

    #103
    Six Word Shootout with Bread Baking 14

    For today's writing exercise write a piece that includes the following six words. While it perfectly sets you up for a sestina, feel free to write whatever you'd like (but ya know, give that sestina a shot!). Also feel free to make slight alterations to the required words if you want to avoid that eye-pokey repetition you can find in sestinas sometimes.

    Required Words: Bolt, Season, Squash, One, Whole, Buckle

    Bonus Exercise: Include in your piece a the image of the moon shining through fog, and someone singing at least 5 words of a nursery rhyme. 
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    If you'd like some background music to write to, try the album "Someday My Prince Will Come" by the Chet Baker Trio.






















    12/12/19

    Fall Writing Exercise Series #102 Title Mania Plus House 16


    The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

    These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.
    #102
    Title Mania Plus House 16

    For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which uses one of the following as its title. For a bonus challenge use the additional exercise of five random constraints.


    Titles:
    1. Prague in Spring
    2. Under the Lowest Pine Branches
    3. Jaws Dropped
    4. Paraffin
    5. Klondike Gold Miners Drunk on Their First Nugget

    Bonus Exercise: 5 Random Constraints
    (I recommend picking any required words or lines before writing with a little surplus for options, but with your chosen title in mind)
    1. Your first paragraph must include a drinking vessel/cup of some sort.
    2. You must include at least five words which begin with the letter combination "At".
    3. You must include at least 4 consecutive words from the poem "this is not and yet it is" by Cecil Morris published in the newest issue of Red Rock Review.
    4. You must include the words "Wept" "Fleeting" "Periphery" and "Exhale".
    5. Your piece must include an item that is green and black.

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    If you'd like some background music to write to, try the "Organic House" album "Mira" by electronic artist Tropo.












    12/11/19

    Fall Writing Exercise Series #101 Three Things and a Random Title 10


    The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

    These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

    #101
    Three Things and a Random Title 10
    For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which contains the following three things, using a title generated by the random title generator linked below. Nice and simple. If you're not intimately familiar with these things do a little reading and see if a piece of info sticks out.



    Title:
     Use this title generator. Get a look at the 3 things below that you must use and generate phrases 6 at a time. Try the more button on the generator no more than three times. If you click it a third time, that's it. Pick one of those. This is one of the better title generators I've found.



    1. A Boomerang
    2. The Taiga
    3. Cornbread


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    If you'd like some background music to write to, try the self-titled blues-rock album Soup from 1970's Wisconsin band Soup.









    12/10/19

    Fall Writing Exercise Series #100: 3x5x10+ Wordbank 16


    The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

    These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

    #100
    (The big 1-0-0! And yet fall continues! I totally cut summer short it seems, but we continue on until December 21)
    3x5x10+ Wordbank 16
    For today's writing exercise complete the following steps.

    1) Pick one word from each of three groups and write a sentence that includes all of the words, feel free to change tense, pluralize, gerund etc. 
    2) Repeat the process ten (10) times using different combinations. No dawdling!
    3) Now write five (5) sentences that are five words or fewer in length that use any two (2) words.
    4) Now write three (3) sentences that use four or more of the words.
    5) Now write a piece of fiction or poetry that uses at least three (3) of those sentences. Try to use as many of the (good) sentences as you can, or parts of the sentences if the whole thing doesn't fit or works better altered.


    Word Bank 1:
    • Deal
    • Hamster
    • Slain
    • Goat
    • Sickly
    Wordbank 2:
    Wordbank 3:
    • Goof
    • Tumble
    • Popped
    • Yodel
    • Pompadour

    Bonus writing exercise: Include in your story or poem a sentence which both begins and ends with a word that starts with the letters "BR".

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    Want some mellow background writing music? Try Aurora Borealis with Mitch Dematoff.


















    12/9/19

    Fall Writing Exercise Series #99: Beginning & Ending with Water 15


    The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

    These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.
    #99

    Beginning & Ending with Water 15
    For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which begins with one image, scenario, line of dialog or place and ends with another, and an optional additional requirement.


    Begin WithA leaf floating on water.

    End WithA faucet dripping.


    Extra Credit RequirementsInclude the description of a specific type of gun; and the words: "Crawling" "Plummet" "Grip" and "Drain".


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    If you'd like some background music, try Labrinth, Sia and Diplo present LSD.









    12/8/19

    Fall Writing Exercise Series #98: The Smell of Repetition


    The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

    These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

    #98
    The Smell of Repetition

    For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which contains the following phrase at least four times (non-sequentially):

    "Followed by the scent of _______."

      There are many aromas out there which conjure all sorts of memories or images. Maybe you're writing a narrative of walking through a market and smelling various things, each sparking a different memory. Maybe you're making a large meal and various stages have different smells that take over as most pungent. Or maybe it's not food at all. Maybe you're walking through a locker room or a garage or woodshop. Maybe it's a forest and you cross paths with a skunk. Maybe you're writing about the great molasses flood of 1919. Or do something completely different. Just be sure that the repeated phrase earns its worth in your piece. It should be necessary.

      Bonus Exercise: Also include the description of something squeaking, and include the words "Pulse" "Squeegee" "Flip" and "Tuck".
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      If you'd like some background music to write to, try rock band Plastic Penny's 1969 album "Currency".


















      12/7/19

      Fall Writing Exercise Series #97 Title Mania Plus the Reggae 15


      The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

      These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.
      #97
      Title Mania Plus Reggae 15

      For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which uses one of the following as its title. For a bonus challenge use the additional exercise of five random constraints.


      Titles:
      1. Pillowcase
      2. Matched Lighting
      3. Useless Lines of Dialog
      4. Darkness Levels
      5. Advanced Compositing

      Bonus Exercise: 5 Random Constraints
      (I recommend picking any required words or lines before writing with a little surplus for options, but with your chosen title in mind)
      1. Your first paragraph must include a drinking vessel/cup of some sort.
      2. You must include at least six words which begin with the letter combination "Sl".
      3. You must include at least 4 consecutive words from the poem "Yeah, Sure" by Bryce Berkowitz published at Yemassee on November 10th.
      4. You must include the words "Tunnel" "Illusions" "Lens" and "Smash".
      5. Your piece must include an item that is supposed to be circular that has a large dent in it.

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      If you'd like some background music to write to, try the reggae album "Hit Me with Music by Sara Lugo.











      12/6/19

      Fall Writing Exercise Series #96 Three Things and a Random Title 09


      The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

      These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

      #96
      Three Things and a Random Title 09
      For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which contains the following three things, using a title generated by the random title generator linked below. Nice and simple. If you're not intimately familiar with these things do a little reading and see if a piece of info sticks out.



      Title:
       Use this title generator. Get a look at the 3 things below that you must use and generate phrases 6 at a time. Try the more button on the generator no more than three times. If you click it a third time, that's it. Pick one of those. This is one of the better title generators I've found.
      1. A Coffee Cup
      2. A Peregrine Falcon
      3. A Piece of Gum on the Sidewalk

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      If you'd like some background music to write to, try this album of acoustic covers by Felix Irwan.








      12/5/19

      Fall Writing Exercise Series #95: Six Word Shootout with Bread Baking 13


      The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

      These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

      #95
      Six Word Shootout with Bread Baking 13

      For today's writing exercise write a piece that includes the following six words. While it perfectly sets you up for a sestina, feel free to write whatever you'd like (but ya know, give that sestina a shot!). Also feel free to make slight alterations to the required words if you want to avoid that eye-pokey repetition you can find in sestinas sometimes.

      Required Words: Bread, Renew, Rise, Yeast, Steel, Coffee

      Bonus Exercise: Include in your piece a the image of the moon shining through fog, and someone singing at least 5 words of a nursery rhyme. 
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      If you'd like some background music to write to, try the album "Like I Used To" by British folk singer Lucy Rose.





















      12/4/19

      Fall Writing Exercise Series #94: 3x5x10+ Wordbank 15


      The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

      These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

      #94
      3x5x10+ Wordbank 15
      For today's writing exercise complete the following steps.

      1) Pick one word from each of three groups and write a sentence that includes all of the words, feel free to change tense, pluralize, gerund etc. 
      2) Repeat the process ten (10) times using different combinations. No dawdling!
      3) Now write five (5) sentences that are five words or fewer in length that use any two (2) words.
      4) Now write three (3) sentences that use four or more of the words.
      5) Now write a piece of fiction or poetry that uses at least three (3) of those sentences. Try to use as many of the (good) sentences as you can, or parts of the sentences if the whole thing doesn't fit or works better altered.


      Word Bank 1:
      • Proof
      • Wheat
      • Iraq
      • Young
      • Tarot
      Wordbank 2:
      • Grew
      • Triad
      • Quake
      • Focus
      • Vex
      Wordbank 3:

      Bonus writing exercise: Include in your story or poem a sentence which is exactly two words long, and the piece must include the image of an owl in a knothole (place in the trunk where a limb has died or been cut off which rots to produce a hollow in the tree).



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      Want some unobtrusive background writing music? Try this remaster of American rock band American Football's eponymous debut album recorded in 1997.

















      12/3/19

      Fall Writing Exercise Series #93: Beginning & Ending with Poker 14


      The Notebooking Daily Fall Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

      These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.
      #93

      Beginning & Ending with Poker 14
      For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which begins with one image, scenario, line of dialog or place and ends with another, and an optional additional requirement.


      Begin WithSomeone dealing out playing cards.

      End WithSomeone poking at the almost-out coals of a fire.


      Extra Credit RequirementsInclude the description of a specific type of gun; and the words: "Fractions" "Decay" "Lightness" and "Instability".


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      If you'd like some background music, try the Icelandic electronic group GusGus's album "Lies Are More Flexible".