For today's exercise use the following as the title of a poem or piece of prose.
Discussing Disgusting
Discussing Disgusting
12/27/15
12/26/15
Title exercise: At Snowfall's End
For today's exercise use the following as the title of a poem or piece of prose.
At Snowfall's End
At Snowfall's End
12/25/15
Title exercise: Milliseconds with Loved Ones
For today's exercise use the following as the title of a poem or piece of prose.Milliseconds with Loved Ones
(And, hey, Merry Christmas! Here are a couple of fun modern (and secular) Christmas songs: Oi to the World by The Vandals (Punk), and White Wine in the Sun by Tim Minchin (skeptic warning, but it's a beautiful song), and for good measure, here's Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies, again by The Vandals. If you don't already have it, their Christmas with The Vandals album is a great punk tribute to the holiday.)
12/24/15
Title exercise: Cinnamon and Leather Polish, (+Holiday Bonus)
For today's exercise use the following as the title of a poem or piece of prose.
Cinnamon and Leather Polish
or
Santa's Strict Summer Diet
(And one of my favorite TV show holiday specials, from Community Season 2: Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas.
Cinnamon and Leather Polish
or
Santa's Strict Summer Diet
(And one of my favorite TV show holiday specials, from Community Season 2: Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas.
12/23/15
Title exercise: Falling off of the Rooftop
For today's exercise use the following as the title of a poem or piece of prose.
Falling off of the Rooftop
Whether you take advantage of the "Up on the Rooftop" holiday link or not is up to you. :)
Falling off of the Rooftop
Whether you take advantage of the "Up on the Rooftop" holiday link or not is up to you. :)
12/22/15
Title exercise: Groups of Wild Animals
For today's exercise use the following as the title of a poem or piece of prose.
Groups of Wild Animals
For some inspiration, here's one of many lists of different names for animal groups.
Groups of Wild Animals
For some inspiration, here's one of many lists of different names for animal groups.
12/19/15
Five Random Constraints: 12/19/15 Papa Conifer
Five Random Constraints:
1) The word "Conifer" must appear in the title of your piece.
2) You must write the piece in sections (not just paragraphs or stanzas) of fewer than fifty words.
3) You may only use three words that end with the letter "Y".
4) The smell or taste of peppermint must be described or somehow come into the piece.
5) The name "Papa" must appear at least three times.
12/18/15
Five Random Constraints: 12/18/15 Arizona or Peru
Five Random Constraints:
1) Include at least six pairs of words that rhyme, for instance "This bliss" "My thigh" etc.
2) The story or poem must be written in the second person.
3) The piece must be set in Arizona or Peru (for bonus points use both locations).
4) An exact time must be mentioned.
5) The final word in every sentence must have a hard /a/ sound for instance "way" "day" etc.
12/17/15
Five Random Constraints: 12/17/15 Before the Thunder
Five Random Constraints:
1) Every paragraph must begin with the word "Before".
2) Three sentences must be of three words or fewer.
3) Thunder must be heard by at least one character.
4) The following three words must be used: OxyContin, Camel, Precipice.
5) The entire piece must be between 350 and 500 words.
12/16/15
Five Random Constraints: 12/16/15 Hilltop Kangaroo
Five Random Constraints:
1) The title of your piece must include the word "Hilltop".
2) Something has to be likened to a Kangaroo (bonus points if it's not for the pouch or jumping).
3) There can only be three characters in your story or poem but they must all be named.
4) You must use the word "This" at least eight times in your piece.
5) Two smells must be described or recalled (for bonus points use the smell of rotting wood as one).
12/15/15
Five Random Constraints: 12/15/15 This or That
Five Random Constraints:
1) Every paragraph or stanza must begin with a "P" word.
2) Someone must drink almond milk in the story or poem.
3) Something must be the color teal.
4) The following three words must appear in the same paragraph or stanza: Molten, Squash, Cactus.
5) Do not use the words "This" or "That".
12/14/15
Five Random Constraints: 12/14/15 Marc Ecko
Five Random Constraints:
1) An instrument must be named and either played or its play described.
2) Your second paragraph or stanza must be a single sentence of at least fifteen words.
3) You must somehow include Marc Ecko by name.
4) The last word of your piece must be "hay".
5) You must use one word or short phrase that is a palindrome. (My advice is pick your palindrome before you start, but hey, it's your world)
12/13/15
Five Random Constraints: 12/13/15 "Lefty"
Five Random Constraints:
1) Five different words beginning with the letter K must be used.
2) No sentences longer than 10 words are allowed.
3) One character must have the nickname "Lefty".
4) A remote control must play an important role in your piece.
5) Two words that are eight letters must be used.
12/12/15
Narrative prompt: Her basket contained more than items
For today's writing exercise begin a story or poem with the following and see where it takes you.
Her basket contained more than items, it was a fresh start and rock bottom simultaneously.
12/11/15
Narrative prompt: Just as the clock ticked
For today's writing exercise begin a story or poem with the following and see where it takes you.
Just as the clock ticked over to 1:00, the phone rang.
12/10/15
Narrative prompt: She honked for a fourth time
For today's writing exercise begin a story or poem with the following and see where it takes you.
She honked for the fourth time.
12/9/15
Narrative prompt: A slowly growing swirl of red
For today's writing exercise begin a story or poem with the following and see where it takes you.
A slowly growing swirl of red soon filtered all the way through the white.
12/8/15
Narrative prompt: Just a push, a shove
For today's writing exercise begin a story or poem with the following and see where it takes you.
Just a push, a shove, a nudge and you'd be free.
12/7/15
Narrative prompt: We walk single file in the dark
For today's writing exercise begin a story or poem with the following and see where it takes you.
We walk single file in the dark, wordless, each for different reasons.
11/29/15
Three things exercise: A Life Vest, Laffy Taffy, A Bonfire
For today's exercise write a piece of poetry or prose that somehow utilizes the following three things:
A Life Vest, Laffy Taffy, A Bonfire
A Life Vest, Laffy Taffy, A Bonfire
11/28/15
Three things exercise: An Aspirin, Big League Chew, Jesse Owens
For today's exercise write a piece of poetry or prose that somehow utilizes the following three things:
An Aspirin, Big League Chew, Jesse Owens
An Aspirin, Big League Chew, Jesse Owens
11/27/15
Three things exercise: An Airbag, A Lego, The Horsehead Nebula
For today's exercise write a piece of poetry or prose that somehow utilizes the following three things:An Airbag, A Lego, The Horsehead Nebula
11/26/15
Three things exercise: A Football, A Traffic Cone, Two Six-Sided Dice
For today's exercise write a piece of poetry or prose that somehow utilizes the following three things:
A Football, A Traffic Cone, Two Six-Sided Dice
A Football, A Traffic Cone, Two Six-Sided Dice
Title exercise: Agreements and Gratitude
For today's exercise use the following as the title of a poem or piece of prose.
Agreements and Gratitude
Agreements and Gratitude
11/24/15
Three things exercise: Royal Blue Crayon, Jump Rope, Martini Glass
For today's exercise write a piece of poetry or prose that somehow utilizes the following three things:
A Royal Blue Crayon, A Jump Rope, A Martini Glass
A Royal Blue Crayon, A Jump Rope, A Martini Glass
11/23/15
Three things exercise: Lady Bic Razor, Bent Nail, Painted Turtle
For today's exercise write a piece of poetry or prose that somehow utilizes the following three things:
A Lady Bic Razor, A Bent Nail and A Painted Turtle.
A Lady Bic Razor, A Bent Nail and A Painted Turtle.
11/22/15
Three things exercise: Flashlight, Dead Battery, Tennis Racket
For today's exercise write a piece of poetry or prose that somehow utilizes the following three things:
Flashlight, Dead Battery, Tennis Racket
Flashlight, Dead Battery, Tennis Racket
11/21/15
Title exercise: An Exercise in Perfect Potato Peeling
For today's exercise use the following as the title of a poem or piece of prose.
An Exercise in Perfect Potato Peeling
An Exercise in Perfect Potato Peeling
11/20/15
Title exercise: Ground Fine
For today's exercise use the following as the title of a poem or piece of prose.
Ground Fine
Ground Fine
11/19/15
Title exercise: Cattails, Crickets and Charred Carbon
For today's exercise use the following as the title of a poem or piece of prose.
Cattails, Crickets and Charred Carbon
Cattails, Crickets and Charred Carbon
11/18/15
Title exercise: Lottery Leftovers
For today's exercise use the following as the title of a poem or piece of prose.
Lottery Leftovers
Lottery Leftovers
11/17/15
Title exercise: Three Blocks Down From Where That One Thing Happened
For today's exercise use the following as the title of a poem or piece of prose.
Three Blocks Down From Where That One Thing Happened
Three Blocks Down From Where That One Thing Happened
11/16/15
Title exercise: Remote Control People
For today's exercise use the following as the title of a poem or piece of prose.
Remote Control People
Remote Control People
11/15/15
Title exercise: Before Green was an Option
For today's exercise use the following as the title of a poem or piece of prose.
Before Green was an Option
Before Green was an Option
11/14/15
Narrative prompt: We used the frisbee
For today's writing exercise begin a story or poem with the following and see where it takes you.
We used the frisbee for home plate.
11/13/15
Narrative prompt: They called me Llama.
For today's writing exercise begin a story or poem with the following and see where it takes you.
They called me Llama.
11/12/15
Narrative prompt: Upended in the overcast twilight
For today's writing exercise begin a story or poem with the following and see where it takes you.
Upended in the overcast twilight, a thin mist of exhalation joined the engine's steam in the air.
11/11/15
Narrative prompt: Flashes of green
For today's writing exercise begin a story or poem with the following and see where it takes you.
Flashes of green lit her cheeks.
11/10/15
Narrative prompt: At a glance you'd have sworn
For today's writing exercise begin a story or poem with the following and see where it takes you.
At a glance you'd have sworn the man was dead.
11/9/15
Narrative Prompt: Orange had always seemed
For today's writing exercise begin a story or poem with the following and see where it takes you.
Orange had always seemed like a color that people chose when there were no better options.
11/8/15
Narrative prompt: Bending to take a drink
For today's writing exercise begin a story or poem with the following and see where it takes you.
Bending to take a drink from the water fountain probably saved my life that day.
--
On a small note, prompts will be in a similar stripped down fashion while I work on some computer difficulties. That said, remember to back up your writing every month or even more often. Writing files are very small and space is cheap, but losing a significant chunk of inspiration-driven writing is devastating, I can speak from experience.
9/3/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise September 3, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Narrative thread.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...
First line. Use the following line as the first line of your piece.
Everybody dislikes spiders, but my sister was absolutely terrified of them—which is why we ended up here.
So there is a narrator and a sister, two characters to work with, the phobia of spiders as well as the acknowledgement that spiders are generally distasteful, and finally, the fact that their location has something to do with the phobia of spiders. Think of it like a maze entrance that you use narrative to escape from.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...
First line. Use the following line as the first line of your piece.
Everybody dislikes spiders, but my sister was absolutely terrified of them—which is why we ended up here.
So there is a narrator and a sister, two characters to work with, the phobia of spiders as well as the acknowledgement that spiders are generally distasteful, and finally, the fact that their location has something to do with the phobia of spiders. Think of it like a maze entrance that you use narrative to escape from.
8/27/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise August 27, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: The How-To.
Today we'll work with the good old 'how-to' genre. Write a 'list poem' (or a regular poem) or a piece of prose that explains various ways or steps in how-to do something.
Today's how-to is...
How to remember the acronym ABC (first aid).
Maybe this is a piece of narrative fiction about someone taking a first aid class including the reason they're taking the class, or maybe you're writing a villanelle that aims to teach people who haven't had a first aid class remember Airway, Breathing and Circulation. Maybe it's a piece about being a first responder to an accident or being injured while travelling alone. Plenty of options here, have at it!
Today we'll work with the good old 'how-to' genre. Write a 'list poem' (or a regular poem) or a piece of prose that explains various ways or steps in how-to do something.
Today's how-to is...
How to remember the acronym ABC (first aid).
Maybe this is a piece of narrative fiction about someone taking a first aid class including the reason they're taking the class, or maybe you're writing a villanelle that aims to teach people who haven't had a first aid class remember Airway, Breathing and Circulation. Maybe it's a piece about being a first responder to an accident or being injured while travelling alone. Plenty of options here, have at it!
8/26/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise August 26, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Title Mania!
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
(I'm a big fan of harvesting and repurposing language from non-poetic sources for poetic reasons, so today's titles will come from college mascots)
1) Speedy the Geoduck
2) Rocky the Rocket
3) Sammy The Banana Slug
4) Artie the Fighting Artichoke
5) The Long Beach Dirtbags
6)
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Pressing lightly
2) Established
3) Leaning slowly to the ground
4) A jump
5) Useless
6) Helpful
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
1) Speedy the Geoduck
 |
| Artie |
3) Sammy The Banana Slug
4) Artie the Fighting Artichoke
5) The Long Beach Dirtbags
6)
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Pressing lightly
2) Established
3) Leaning slowly to the ground
4) A jump
5) Useless
6) Helpful
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
8/16/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise August 16, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Three Things.
About today's writing prompt genre: Today you will write a piece of short fiction or a poem sparked by three concrete, actual things which I will supply. You must work the three items into your piece in some way. If you're having trouble finding direction, you can use the famous person listed under bonus as well. Think of that as getting bonus points.
Today's items are...
A Pogo Stick, a scimitar and an igloo.
Use the items however you like, just be sure they all make it into the story/poem. Having the items be somewhat vital to the piece is also pretty important, but hey, if this is the spark you need to finally get out a piece you'd been knocking about your brain for a month, who cares about the rules! Just write it!
Bonus thing: Robert Frost
About today's writing prompt genre: Today you will write a piece of short fiction or a poem sparked by three concrete, actual things which I will supply. You must work the three items into your piece in some way. If you're having trouble finding direction, you can use the famous person listed under bonus as well. Think of that as getting bonus points.
Today's items are...
A Pogo Stick, a scimitar and an igloo.Use the items however you like, just be sure they all make it into the story/poem. Having the items be somewhat vital to the piece is also pretty important, but hey, if this is the spark you need to finally get out a piece you'd been knocking about your brain for a month, who cares about the rules! Just write it!
Bonus thing: Robert Frost
8/15/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise August 15, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: The How-To.
Today we'll work with the good old 'how-to' genre. Write a 'list poem' (or a regular poem) or a piece of prose that explains various ways or steps in how-to do something.
Today's how-to is...
How to catch a whisper.
This could be as straight forward as training yourself to hear unexpected things better (what that enables you to actually hear may be the surprising part), or it could be about someone who always feels like people are whispering about them, it could be a psychological condition, it could be a social condition. Maybe it translates to social media, social circles and elitism. Maybe it's about catching the whisper of a conspiracy and putting the necessary pieces together, maybe a villain or criminal is nicknamed "whisper" or however you feel like interpreting the words is fine by me. Just pick a direction and spend some time writing.
Today we'll work with the good old 'how-to' genre. Write a 'list poem' (or a regular poem) or a piece of prose that explains various ways or steps in how-to do something.
Today's how-to is...
How to catch a whisper.
This could be as straight forward as training yourself to hear unexpected things better (what that enables you to actually hear may be the surprising part), or it could be about someone who always feels like people are whispering about them, it could be a psychological condition, it could be a social condition. Maybe it translates to social media, social circles and elitism. Maybe it's about catching the whisper of a conspiracy and putting the necessary pieces together, maybe a villain or criminal is nicknamed "whisper" or however you feel like interpreting the words is fine by me. Just pick a direction and spend some time writing.
8/14/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise August 14, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Narrative thread.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...
First line. Use the following line as the first line of your piece.
Let me tell you about the first time I met J, the angry voice in my head.
How fantastical or manic your piece gets is completely up to you, but everyone's had that angry little voice in their head, even if it only tells you to shut a door harder than you need to.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...First line. Use the following line as the first line of your piece.
Let me tell you about the first time I met J, the angry voice in my head.
How fantastical or manic your piece gets is completely up to you, but everyone's had that angry little voice in their head, even if it only tells you to shut a door harder than you need to.
8/4/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise August 4, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Title Mania!
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
(I'm a big fan of harvesting and repurposing language from non-poetic sources for poetic reasons, so today's titles will come from within this list of Maury Povich captions.)
1) He Can't Make Boys
2) For a Can of Soda
3) Two Billion Percent Sure
4) He Says "I Don't Know What You're Talkin' About"
5) My Fear of Mustard and Pickles is Ruining My Life
6) Attacked By Ants That Came Out of a Flower
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Father
2) Baby
3) Dancing
4) Affirmative
5) Punches thrown
6) Calmed
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
1) He Can't Make Boys
3) Two Billion Percent Sure
4) He Says "I Don't Know What You're Talkin' About"
5) My Fear of Mustard and Pickles is Ruining My Life
6) Attacked By Ants That Came Out of a Flower
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Father
2) Baby
3) Dancing
4) Affirmative
5) Punches thrown
6) Calmed
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
8/3/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise August 3, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Three Things.
About today's writing prompt genre: Today you will write a piece of short fiction or a poem sparked by three concrete, actual things which I will supply. You must work the three items into your piece in some way. If you're having trouble finding direction, you can use the famous person listed under bonus as well. Think of that as getting bonus points.
Today's items are...
A Poinsettia, an Emperor Penguin and a bench.
Use the items however you like, just be sure they all make it into the story/poem. Having the items be somewhat vital to the piece is also pretty important, but hey, if this is the spark you need to finally get out a piece you'd been knocking about your brain for a month, who cares about the rules! Just write it!
Bonus thing: Claude Monet
About today's writing prompt genre: Today you will write a piece of short fiction or a poem sparked by three concrete, actual things which I will supply. You must work the three items into your piece in some way. If you're having trouble finding direction, you can use the famous person listed under bonus as well. Think of that as getting bonus points.
Today's items are...
A Poinsettia, an Emperor Penguin and a bench.Use the items however you like, just be sure they all make it into the story/poem. Having the items be somewhat vital to the piece is also pretty important, but hey, if this is the spark you need to finally get out a piece you'd been knocking about your brain for a month, who cares about the rules! Just write it!
Bonus thing: Claude Monet
8/2/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise August 2, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Three Things.
About today's writing prompt genre: Today you will write a piece of short fiction or a poem sparked by three concrete, actual things which I will supply. You must work the three items into your piece in some way. If you're having trouble finding direction, you can use the famous person listed under bonus as well. Think of that as getting bonus points.
Today's items are...
A Ball bearing, a rake and an oak tree.
Use the items however you like, just be sure they all make it into the story/poem. Having the items be somewhat vital to the piece is also pretty important, but hey, if this is the spark you need to finally get out a piece you'd been knocking about your brain for a month, who cares about the rules! Just write it!
Bonus thing: Lichtenberg Figures
About today's writing prompt genre: Today you will write a piece of short fiction or a poem sparked by three concrete, actual things which I will supply. You must work the three items into your piece in some way. If you're having trouble finding direction, you can use the famous person listed under bonus as well. Think of that as getting bonus points.
Today's items are...
Use the items however you like, just be sure they all make it into the story/poem. Having the items be somewhat vital to the piece is also pretty important, but hey, if this is the spark you need to finally get out a piece you'd been knocking about your brain for a month, who cares about the rules! Just write it!
Bonus thing: Lichtenberg Figures
8/1/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise August 1, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Narrative thread.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...
You'd always hated the wilderness, and this is exactly why.
Find a way to work that sentence into a piece. What is so bad about the wilderness? A lot of that depends upon point of view, your character's perspective. Some of it could be circumstance, a healthy heaping of unluckiness perhaps. However you figure it, pick a direction and run with it (which could also end up in disaster in the wild).
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...You'd always hated the wilderness, and this is exactly why.
Find a way to work that sentence into a piece. What is so bad about the wilderness? A lot of that depends upon point of view, your character's perspective. Some of it could be circumstance, a healthy heaping of unluckiness perhaps. However you figure it, pick a direction and run with it (which could also end up in disaster in the wild).
7/31/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 31, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Five Random Constraints.
About today's writing prompt genre: This is an exercise to make your brain work within a confined space. There will be a few constraints pressed upon your writing, some meant to help drive narrative, some meant to slow the process of the ever-flowing feed of words that stream through the mind. To make you meditate on specific word choice not necessarily at the most important plot places, but irregularly so that even connections can dictate concern and consideration at the word-level.
Today's constraints are...
1) You must use a word that has at least three e's in the title.
2) You must describe music at some point.
3) You must not use the words "reply" or "said".
4) You must include the name of three food items somewhere in your piece.
5) You must include four sentences that use exactly four words.
Today's constraints are...1) You must use a word that has at least three e's in the title.
2) You must describe music at some point.
3) You must not use the words "reply" or "said".
4) You must include the name of three food items somewhere in your piece.
5) You must include four sentences that use exactly four words.
7/30/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 30, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Title Mania!
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
(today's titles are from the movie Sharknado, but your piece need not in any way be influenced by that, unless you really really wanna write a sharknado piece, I guess. But you certainly don't have to)
1) That's Why I Really Hate Sharks
2) There are sharks in the streets
3) I'm not a stripper
4) I'll be the bombadier
5) A steep price for such a small catch
6) Zombies even
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Exactly
2) Into smaller and smaller pieces
3) An orange-red
4) In the trees
5) With aplomb
6) Outside
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
1) That's Why I Really Hate Sharks2) There are sharks in the streets
3) I'm not a stripper
4) I'll be the bombadier
5) A steep price for such a small catch
6) Zombies even
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Exactly
2) Into smaller and smaller pieces
3) An orange-red
4) In the trees
5) With aplomb
6) Outside
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
7/29/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 29, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Narrative thread.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...
"Six months of planning down the drain because of a stupid pigeon."
How is this the case? What was being planned, a heist, a space shuttle launch, a long voyage in the 1600s? Why was it ruined by the pigeon? Was it something that the pigeon represented like land, or that there is still life on the planet? Did a pigeon draw attention to something that was meant to be hidden? There are plenty of options with this one, pick one angle and run with it.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
 |
| Who're you callin a STUPID pigeon? |
Today's thread is...
"Six months of planning down the drain because of a stupid pigeon."
How is this the case? What was being planned, a heist, a space shuttle launch, a long voyage in the 1600s? Why was it ruined by the pigeon? Was it something that the pigeon represented like land, or that there is still life on the planet? Did a pigeon draw attention to something that was meant to be hidden? There are plenty of options with this one, pick one angle and run with it.
7/28/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 28, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Title Mania!
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
1) Someday in São Paulo
2) Breakfast in Beirut
3) Caught in Toronto
4) One Day in Torino
5) On the Grass Outside of Nice
6) Like Seoul Late on a Sunday
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Lights
2) Without a hiccup
3) Into the darkness
4) Toppled
5) Popular
6) More
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
1) Someday in São Paulo
2) Breakfast in Beirut
3) Caught in Toronto
4) One Day in Torino
5) On the Grass Outside of Nice
6) Like Seoul Late on a Sunday
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Lights
2) Without a hiccup
3) Into the darkness
4) Toppled
5) Popular
6) More
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
7/24/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 24, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Three Things.
About today's writing prompt genre: Today you will write a piece of short fiction or a poem sparked by three concrete, actual things which I will supply. You must work the three items into your piece in some way. If you're having trouble finding direction, you can use the famous person listed under bonus as well. Think of that as getting bonus points.
Today's items are...
A Tornado, a piece of Trident and an octopus.
Use the items however you like, just be sure they all make it into the story/poem. Having the items be somewhat vital to the piece is also pretty important, but hey, if this is the spark you need to finally get out a piece you'd been knocking about your brain for a month, who cares about the rules! Just write it!
Bonus thing: Michael Jordan
About today's writing prompt genre: Today you will write a piece of short fiction or a poem sparked by three concrete, actual things which I will supply. You must work the three items into your piece in some way. If you're having trouble finding direction, you can use the famous person listed under bonus as well. Think of that as getting bonus points.
Today's items are...
Use the items however you like, just be sure they all make it into the story/poem. Having the items be somewhat vital to the piece is also pretty important, but hey, if this is the spark you need to finally get out a piece you'd been knocking about your brain for a month, who cares about the rules! Just write it!Bonus thing: Michael Jordan
7/21/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 21, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: The How-To.
Today we'll work with the good old 'how-to' genre. Write a 'list poem' (or a regular poem) or a piece of prose that explains various ways or steps in how-to do something.
Today's how-to is...
How to investigate a bump in the night.
Ah yes, that proverbial "what was that?" moment which has wrenched us all from sleep at one point or another. Even if you live in a studio apartment with no pets, at least once you've probably heard a crash in the kitchen which snapped you from your dreams and debated investigating the noise. Maybe you just imagined it, maybe it was part of your dream, maybe it was a robber, a murderer. Do you grab your bedside revolver, a gold club, baseball bat, make a gun out of your index finger and thumb? There are plenty of opportunities for comedy here as well as a chance for an action-packed narrative.
Today we'll work with the good old 'how-to' genre. Write a 'list poem' (or a regular poem) or a piece of prose that explains various ways or steps in how-to do something.
Today's how-to is...
How to investigate a bump in the night.
Ah yes, that proverbial "what was that?" moment which has wrenched us all from sleep at one point or another. Even if you live in a studio apartment with no pets, at least once you've probably heard a crash in the kitchen which snapped you from your dreams and debated investigating the noise. Maybe you just imagined it, maybe it was part of your dream, maybe it was a robber, a murderer. Do you grab your bedside revolver, a gold club, baseball bat, make a gun out of your index finger and thumb? There are plenty of opportunities for comedy here as well as a chance for an action-packed narrative.
7/20/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 20, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Three Things.
About today's writing prompt genre: Today you will write a piece of short fiction or a poem sparked by three concrete, actual things which I will supply. You must work the three items into your piece in some way. If you're having trouble finding direction, you can use the famous person listed under bonus as well. Think of that as getting bonus points.
Today's items are...
An Eggplant, a piece of driftwood and a canoe.
Use the items however you like, just be sure they all make it into the story/poem. Having the items be somewhat vital to the piece is also pretty important, but hey, if this is the spark you need to finally get out a piece you'd been knocking about your brain for a month, who cares about the rules! Just write it!
Bonus thing: David Duchovny
About today's writing prompt genre: Today you will write a piece of short fiction or a poem sparked by three concrete, actual things which I will supply. You must work the three items into your piece in some way. If you're having trouble finding direction, you can use the famous person listed under bonus as well. Think of that as getting bonus points.
Today's items are...
Use the items however you like, just be sure they all make it into the story/poem. Having the items be somewhat vital to the piece is also pretty important, but hey, if this is the spark you need to finally get out a piece you'd been knocking about your brain for a month, who cares about the rules! Just write it!Bonus thing: David Duchovny
7/19/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 19, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Five Random Constraints.
About today's writing prompt genre: This is an exercise to make your brain work within a confined space. There will be a few constraints pressed upon your writing, some meant to help drive narrative, some meant to slow the process of the ever-flowing feed of words that stream through the mind. To make you meditate on specific word choice not necessarily at the most important plot places, but irregularly so that even connections can dictate concern and consideration at the word-level.
Today's constraints are...
1) You must use three emdashes (to get an emdash— hold alt and on the numberpad type 0151).
2) You must describe a sunset and not use the words "beautiful" "melting" "red" "orange" "gorgeous" "setting" "dipping" or "horizon".
3) You must use the word "screwdriver" in the last sentence.
4) You must include four different smells.
5) You must include two sentences that are exactly 12 words long.
Today's constraints are...
1) You must use three emdashes (to get an emdash— hold alt and on the numberpad type 0151).
2) You must describe a sunset and not use the words "beautiful" "melting" "red" "orange" "gorgeous" "setting" "dipping" or "horizon".
3) You must use the word "screwdriver" in the last sentence.
4) You must include four different smells.
5) You must include two sentences that are exactly 12 words long.
7/18/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 18, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Title Mania!
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
1) An Elegant Decline into Madness
2) An Appeal to Elegance
3) Elegant Under Fire
4) Elegance in Santa Fe
5) Without Elegance
6) What We Mean When We Say Elegant Decay
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Reading
2) Sliced in two
3) Erupting
4) With a small plunk.
5) Kleptomaniac
6) Turnip
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
1) An Elegant Decline into Madness
2) An Appeal to Elegance
3) Elegant Under Fire
4) Elegance in Santa Fe
5) Without Elegance
6) What We Mean When We Say Elegant Decay
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Reading
2) Sliced in two
3) Erupting
4) With a small plunk.
5) Kleptomaniac
6) Turnip
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
7/16/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 16, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Narrative thread.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...
Caught in a robbery, your mind keeps jumping to one specific memory.
Whether this memory is related to the robbery, or more a reflection of where the narrator's mind goes in that tense situation is completely up to you. Maybe the narrator remembers prom night, or watching a martial arts movie which amps them up for a heroic action. Maybe the memory is of watching their older sister blowing soap bubbles in the backyard, and for some reason unknown to the character, they can't shake it. The brain is a crazy place. Have fun with yours.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...Caught in a robbery, your mind keeps jumping to one specific memory.
Whether this memory is related to the robbery, or more a reflection of where the narrator's mind goes in that tense situation is completely up to you. Maybe the narrator remembers prom night, or watching a martial arts movie which amps them up for a heroic action. Maybe the memory is of watching their older sister blowing soap bubbles in the backyard, and for some reason unknown to the character, they can't shake it. The brain is a crazy place. Have fun with yours.
7/15/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 15, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: The How-To.
Today we'll work with the good old 'how-to' genre. Write a 'list poem' (or a regular poem) or a piece of prose that explains various ways or steps in how-to do something.
Today's how-to is...
How to create life.
This could be a poem filled with double entendres, it could be a romantic poem, it could be an ode to God or whatever you choose to imbue with the title Creator. It could be about planting one of those little potted flowers you would get from school to give your mom on mother's day. It could be about an old man planting a tree that he'll never sit in the shade of. Many, many options there.
Today we'll work with the good old 'how-to' genre. Write a 'list poem' (or a regular poem) or a piece of prose that explains various ways or steps in how-to do something.
Today's how-to is...
How to create life.
This could be a poem filled with double entendres, it could be a romantic poem, it could be an ode to God or whatever you choose to imbue with the title Creator. It could be about planting one of those little potted flowers you would get from school to give your mom on mother's day. It could be about an old man planting a tree that he'll never sit in the shade of. Many, many options there.
7/14/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 14, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Title Mania!
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
1) Negligent Gifting
2) Asunder Again
3) Humid
4) Polished Off
5) Requested
6) A New York Nightmare
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Quilted
2) Held tight
3) Easter egg
4) Not quite there
5) Foul
6) Still
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
1) Negligent Gifting
3) Humid
4) Polished Off
5) Requested
6) A New York Nightmare
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Quilted
2) Held tight
3) Easter egg
4) Not quite there
5) Foul
6) Still
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
7/13/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 13, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Three Things.
About today's writing prompt genre: Today you will write a piece of short fiction or a poem sparked by three concrete, actual things which I will supply. You must work the three items into your piece in some way. If you're having trouble finding direction, you can use the famous person listed under bonus as well. Think of that as getting bonus points.
Today's items are...
An Elephant, a toenail clipping and an avocado pit.
Use the items however you like, just be sure they all make it into the story/poem. Having the items be somewhat vital to the piece is also pretty important, but hey, if this is the spark you need to finally get out a piece you'd been knocking about your brain for a month, who cares about the rules! Just write it!
Bonus thing: A Rock Tumbler
About today's writing prompt genre: Today you will write a piece of short fiction or a poem sparked by three concrete, actual things which I will supply. You must work the three items into your piece in some way. If you're having trouble finding direction, you can use the famous person listed under bonus as well. Think of that as getting bonus points.
Today's items are...
Use the items however you like, just be sure they all make it into the story/poem. Having the items be somewhat vital to the piece is also pretty important, but hey, if this is the spark you need to finally get out a piece you'd been knocking about your brain for a month, who cares about the rules! Just write it!
Bonus thing: A Rock Tumbler
7/12/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 12, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Narrative thread.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...
And then there was the episode we'll file under brushes with mortality.
This could be a nonfiction response, write a vignette or story or even a first-person poem that recalls a near-death or brush with death experience. You can latch onto the specific-wording there, "file" and "episode" can both inform the stylistics of the piece. This could be a cathartic exercise, or you could plumb your imagination of neurotic worries and make the reader fear something new with your visceral descriptions.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...And then there was the episode we'll file under brushes with mortality.
This could be a nonfiction response, write a vignette or story or even a first-person poem that recalls a near-death or brush with death experience. You can latch onto the specific-wording there, "file" and "episode" can both inform the stylistics of the piece. This could be a cathartic exercise, or you could plumb your imagination of neurotic worries and make the reader fear something new with your visceral descriptions.
7/11/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 11, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Title Mania!
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
1) Elevation Aside
2) A Tom Jones Cacophony
3) Thermal Underwear
4) Buffeted by Happenstance
5) Hairpin Turn, 3 a.m.
6) Weathervane Salesman
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Wind
2) Purpose
3) Into nothingness
4) On top of the spaghetti
5) Pulp
6) Wounded
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:1) Elevation Aside
2) A Tom Jones Cacophony
3) Thermal Underwear
4) Buffeted by Happenstance
5) Hairpin Turn, 3 a.m.
6) Weathervane Salesman
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Wind
2) Purpose
3) Into nothingness
4) On top of the spaghetti
5) Pulp
6) Wounded
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
7/10/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 10, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: The How-To.
Today we'll work with the good old 'how-to' genre. Write a 'list poem' (or a regular poem) or a piece of prose that explains various ways or steps in how-to do something.
Today's how-to is...
How to unwrite a letter.
As humans living along this one-way stream of time, we often wish we had a second chance at things. We wish for a do-over, a mulligan, because with our hindsight, we see all the things that were wrong with our first (and realistically our only attempt at that moment). For this exercise, imagine yourself the author of a letter that was written either in anger or in unfortunate enthusiasm, or in the sway of some powerful, but in hindsight misplaced emotion, and you must undo the letter somehow. Perhaps you obsess about it to the point where you learn to time travel, or you watch time unwind and it stops just as you are about to start the letter, or are about to seal it. Perhaps you're just sending a second letter to undo the damage of the first, or however you choose to interpret the 'unwrite a letter' for this purpose, is just fine and dandy.
Today we'll work with the good old 'how-to' genre. Write a 'list poem' (or a regular poem) or a piece of prose that explains various ways or steps in how-to do something.
Today's how-to is...
How to unwrite a letter.
As humans living along this one-way stream of time, we often wish we had a second chance at things. We wish for a do-over, a mulligan, because with our hindsight, we see all the things that were wrong with our first (and realistically our only attempt at that moment). For this exercise, imagine yourself the author of a letter that was written either in anger or in unfortunate enthusiasm, or in the sway of some powerful, but in hindsight misplaced emotion, and you must undo the letter somehow. Perhaps you obsess about it to the point where you learn to time travel, or you watch time unwind and it stops just as you are about to start the letter, or are about to seal it. Perhaps you're just sending a second letter to undo the damage of the first, or however you choose to interpret the 'unwrite a letter' for this purpose, is just fine and dandy.
7/9/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 9, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Three Things.
About today's writing prompt genre: Today you will write a piece of short fiction or a poem sparked by three concrete, actual things which I will supply. You must work the three items into your piece in some way. If you're having trouble finding direction, you can use the famous person listed under bonus as well. Think of that as getting bonus points.
Today's items are...
An Apple, a hammer and a snail.
Use the items however you like, just be sure they all make it into the story/poem. Having the items be somewhat vital to the piece is also pretty important, but hey, if this is the spark you need to finally get out a piece you'd been knocking about your brain for a month, who cares about the rules! Just write it!
Bonus thing: LeVar Burton
About today's writing prompt genre: Today you will write a piece of short fiction or a poem sparked by three concrete, actual things which I will supply. You must work the three items into your piece in some way. If you're having trouble finding direction, you can use the famous person listed under bonus as well. Think of that as getting bonus points.
Today's items are...
Use the items however you like, just be sure they all make it into the story/poem. Having the items be somewhat vital to the piece is also pretty important, but hey, if this is the spark you need to finally get out a piece you'd been knocking about your brain for a month, who cares about the rules! Just write it!Bonus thing: LeVar Burton
7/8/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 8, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Narrative thread.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...
A friend tells you they won the lottery and you need to drop everything and take a trip to wherever you want, no strings attached. Of course there's a catch, but not until you're in way deeper than you realized.
This one is pretty prescriptive, it could certainly be a poem, it could begin at the end and be told through flashbacks, it could be exceedingly dark, or it could be an outlet for a sci-fi story.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...
A friend tells you they won the lottery and you need to drop everything and take a trip to wherever you want, no strings attached. Of course there's a catch, but not until you're in way deeper than you realized.
This one is pretty prescriptive, it could certainly be a poem, it could begin at the end and be told through flashbacks, it could be exceedingly dark, or it could be an outlet for a sci-fi story.
7/7/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 7, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Title Mania!
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
1) Turpentine Cocktail
2) We Have All Been There Once or Twice
3) A Compendium of Ash
4) Perfect Flytrap
5) Poly-rhythmic
6) Sleeping Drummer Boy
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Turned
2) News
3) West
4) With gusto
5) Into the finest particles
6) Nascent
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:1) Turpentine Cocktail
2) We Have All Been There Once or Twice
3) A Compendium of Ash
4) Perfect Flytrap
5) Poly-rhythmic
6) Sleeping Drummer Boy
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Turned
2) News
3) West
4) With gusto
5) Into the finest particles
6) Nascent
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
7/6/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 6, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Five Random Constraints.
About today's writing prompt genre: This is an exercise to make your brain work within a confined space. There will be a few constraints pressed upon your writing, some meant to help drive narrative, some meant to slow the process of the ever-flowing feed of words that stream through the mind. To make you meditate on specific word choice not necessarily at the most important plot places, but irregularly so that even connections can dictate concern and consideration at the word-level.
Today's constraints are...
1) Your title must be four words long and not include an E.
2) You must not begin any sentences with articles.
3) You must end your piece with the phrase "smashed on the sidewalk".
4) You must include three things which are red.
5) You must begin every new paragraph/stanza with a three word sentence.
Today's constraints are...
1) Your title must be four words long and not include an E.
2) You must not begin any sentences with articles.
3) You must end your piece with the phrase "smashed on the sidewalk".
4) You must include three things which are red.
5) You must begin every new paragraph/stanza with a three word sentence.
7/5/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 5, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Ekphrasis.
Ekphrasis is from Greek meaning the description of a work of art as a rhetorical device. That's actually pretty straight forward, but another way to look at it, is it's highfalutin fan fiction, usually about paintings or pieces of music, but it can be about virtually anything. Look at or listen to the following piece of art and write a piece of prose or poetry that is inspired by some aspect of it.
Today's artwork is...
Raspberries and Salmonberries. Photo taken by Francois de Melogue.
These berries are plump and look juicy. I would recommend reading up a little on salmonberries, as they're a slightly out of the ordinary fruit, and we writers love those slightly out of the ordinary things, don't we?
Today's artwork is...
Raspberries and Salmonberries. Photo taken by Francois de Melogue.
These berries are plump and look juicy. I would recommend reading up a little on salmonberries, as they're a slightly out of the ordinary fruit, and we writers love those slightly out of the ordinary things, don't we?
7/4/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 4, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Narrative thread.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...
Tell us about the firework accident.
Take whichever tact you want, whether an innocent encounter with black cats as a kid, a more serious childhood accident, or you can go for high stakes and it could be an accident at a firework factory that sets off 2.5 million individual fireworks. Or whatever you want. Just get all Fourth of July on us.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...
Tell us about the firework accident.
Take whichever tact you want, whether an innocent encounter with black cats as a kid, a more serious childhood accident, or you can go for high stakes and it could be an accident at a firework factory that sets off 2.5 million individual fireworks. Or whatever you want. Just get all Fourth of July on us.
7/2/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise July 2, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Narrative thread.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...
Tell the story of "All that glitters isn't gold" from the perspective of a pyrite-lover.
For this one, write a story where what might be an unfortunate turn of events due to something impersonating something else generally thought to be more prestigious/better (gold/pyrite, diamonds/cubic zirconium, or much more familiar, a ginger who dyes their hair blonde gets stuck with a new boyfriend on a desert island and he actually likes gingers—sci-fi works, right? Just kidding Gingers, no prejudice here. Or perhaps an earthquake causes massive destruction, but also creates a beautiful view for a small subsection of the populace. Maybe a monkey's paw-like story turns a man into a fish, but as luck would have it he had recurring dreams of being a dolphin and is happy with the change.)
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...
Tell the story of "All that glitters isn't gold" from the perspective of a pyrite-lover.
For this one, write a story where what might be an unfortunate turn of events due to something impersonating something else generally thought to be more prestigious/better (gold/pyrite, diamonds/cubic zirconium, or much more familiar, a ginger who dyes their hair blonde gets stuck with a new boyfriend on a desert island and he actually likes gingers—sci-fi works, right? Just kidding Gingers, no prejudice here. Or perhaps an earthquake causes massive destruction, but also creates a beautiful view for a small subsection of the populace. Maybe a monkey's paw-like story turns a man into a fish, but as luck would have it he had recurring dreams of being a dolphin and is happy with the change.)
6/29/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise June 29, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Title Mania!
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
(All of today's titles are taken from the song Imhotep by Noah23 which might be said to be written in glossolalia)
1) A Pen Named Fountain
2) Pantomime Saw
3) Glossolalia
4) Red Dirt Nervous
5) Bourgeois cyborgs
6) Chemical Breadcrumbs
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Contour
2) Nest
3) Eclipsed
4) Skeleton key
5) With the wind
6) Seashell
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
 |
| Not Noah23 |
(All of today's titles are taken from the song Imhotep by Noah23 which might be said to be written in glossolalia)
1) A Pen Named Fountain
2) Pantomime Saw
3) Glossolalia
4) Red Dirt Nervous
5) Bourgeois cyborgs
6) Chemical Breadcrumbs
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Contour
2) Nest
3) Eclipsed
4) Skeleton key
5) With the wind
6) Seashell
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
6/28/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise June 28, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Five Random Constraints.
About today's writing prompt genre: This is an exercise to make your brain work within a confined space. There will be a few constraints pressed upon your writing, some meant to help drive narrative, some meant to slow the process of the ever-flowing feed of words that stream through the mind. To make you meditate on specific word choice not necessarily at the most important plot places, but irregularly so that even connections can dictate concern and consideration at the word-level.
Today's constraints are...
1) Your title must be two sentences long
2) You must not include any words that begin with the letters "I" or "U".
3) You must include one character with white hair.
4) You must describe however briefly or offhandedly the theory of Plate Tectonics.
5) You must include the word "Bargain" and "Duck" in the first sentence or title.
Today's constraints are...
1) Your title must be two sentences long
2) You must not include any words that begin with the letters "I" or "U".
3) You must include one character with white hair.
4) You must describe however briefly or offhandedly the theory of Plate Tectonics.
5) You must include the word "Bargain" and "Duck" in the first sentence or title.
6/27/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise June 27, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Ekphrasis.
Ekphrasis is from Greek meaning the description of a work of art as a rhetorical device. That's actually pretty straight forward, but another way to look at it, is it's highfalutin fan fiction, usually about paintings or pieces of music, but it can be about virtually anything. Look at or listen to the following piece of art and write a piece of prose or poetry that is inspired by some aspect of it.
Today's artwork is...
"Elephant and Pigeons" by Sarah Deremer.
The piece is already very surreal, so virtually any aspect of it could be used in your piece. I personally like the small fact that that elephant is in the snow. Normally when you think of elephants it's in a much warmer environment. A small touch, but I think a nice one.
Ekphrasis is from Greek meaning the description of a work of art as a rhetorical device. That's actually pretty straight forward, but another way to look at it, is it's highfalutin fan fiction, usually about paintings or pieces of music, but it can be about virtually anything. Look at or listen to the following piece of art and write a piece of prose or poetry that is inspired by some aspect of it.
Today's artwork is...
"Elephant and Pigeons" by Sarah Deremer.
The piece is already very surreal, so virtually any aspect of it could be used in your piece. I personally like the small fact that that elephant is in the snow. Normally when you think of elephants it's in a much warmer environment. A small touch, but I think a nice one.
6/25/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise June 25, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Narrative thread.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...
Visiting a cousin who lives in the middle of nowhere you attend a party at an abandoned, partially burnt-down mini-golf course.
The age of the narrator for this piece is one to definitely take into consideration, as an abandoned mini golf course could be intriguing at very different age ranges for very different reasons. The obvious is as a teenager, but also someone returning to their hometown for a reunion and reconnecting with old friends at a place they used to go for childhood birthday parties might be a fun write also. Or this could go the horror route very easily, as the setting could be quite spooky instead of wistful if you'd like it to.
About today's writing prompt genre: Take the following story aspect and work it into a piece, whether poetry or prose, whether you explore what led up to this place in the story, it begins with the thread, or the thread is merely a tiny aspect of the story that has crystallized around the original image. However you choose to write it, use the following as a jumping off point.
Today's thread is...
Visiting a cousin who lives in the middle of nowhere you attend a party at an abandoned, partially burnt-down mini-golf course.
The age of the narrator for this piece is one to definitely take into consideration, as an abandoned mini golf course could be intriguing at very different age ranges for very different reasons. The obvious is as a teenager, but also someone returning to their hometown for a reunion and reconnecting with old friends at a place they used to go for childhood birthday parties might be a fun write also. Or this could go the horror route very easily, as the setting could be quite spooky instead of wistful if you'd like it to.
6/24/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise June 24, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Title Mania!
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
(All of today's titles are taken from episodes 17-18 of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo)
1) Brain Fried
2) Inverse Skunk
3) A Mini Ninja
4) A Bling Bling Ring Thing
5) Two Squirrels in a Wool Sock
6) His Funeral Shirt
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Escapades
2) Black
3) Rust
4) With Remorse
5) But Furrier
6) Endearing
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
About today's writing prompt genre: Instead of just using a random generator, for today's exercise I will offer up six titles. Pick the title that appeals the most to you and run with it. If you want to leave your choice up to chance use this random number generator. I will also have a small list of possible last words or phrases that you can use as an end-goal if you feel like you need a little extra direction/constraint for the piece.
Titles:
(All of today's titles are taken from episodes 17-18 of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo)
1) Brain Fried
2) Inverse Skunk
3) A Mini Ninja
4) A Bling Bling Ring Thing
5) Two Squirrels in a Wool Sock
6) His Funeral Shirt
Words or phrases to end with:
1) Escapades
2) Black
3) Rust
4) With Remorse
5) But Furrier
6) Endearing
Again, if you want to leave this to chance, use the random number generator.
6/23/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise June 23, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: The How-To.
Today we'll work with the good old 'how-to' genre. Write a 'list poem' (or a regular poem) or a piece of prose that explains various ways or steps in how-to do something.
Today's how-to is...
How to impersonate an immortal.
Whether you have a specific immortal in mind, or you prefer the idea of pretending to have immortality you can have a lot of fun with this one. Here is a list of immortals in fiction. Here are some Greek Gods, here are some others from myth.
Today we'll work with the good old 'how-to' genre. Write a 'list poem' (or a regular poem) or a piece of prose that explains various ways or steps in how-to do something.
Today's how-to is...
How to impersonate an immortal.
Whether you have a specific immortal in mind, or you prefer the idea of pretending to have immortality you can have a lot of fun with this one. Here is a list of immortals in fiction. Here are some Greek Gods, here are some others from myth.
6/22/15
Notebooking Daily Writing Exercise June 22, 2015
Daily Exercise Genre: Five Random Constraints.
About today's writing prompt genre: This is an exercise to make your brain work within a confined space. There will be a few constraints pressed upon your writing, some meant to help drive narrative, some meant to slow the process of the ever-flowing feed of words that stream through the mind. To make you meditate on specific word choice not necessarily at the most important plot places, but irregularly so that even connections can dictate concern and consideration at the word-level.
Today's constraints are...
1) The piece must include two sentences made up of all the same words but in a different order.
2) You must include two tastes and two smells.
3) You must include at least one memory/flashback written in past tense.
4) You must not end any sentence on the letter "g" or "r".
5) Your piece must have a title that is exactly six words long.
About today's writing prompt genre: This is an exercise to make your brain work within a confined space. There will be a few constraints pressed upon your writing, some meant to help drive narrative, some meant to slow the process of the ever-flowing feed of words that stream through the mind. To make you meditate on specific word choice not necessarily at the most important plot places, but irregularly so that even connections can dictate concern and consideration at the word-level.
Today's constraints are...1) The piece must include two sentences made up of all the same words but in a different order.
2) You must include two tastes and two smells.
3) You must include at least one memory/flashback written in past tense.
4) You must not end any sentence on the letter "g" or "r".
5) Your piece must have a title that is exactly six words long.
