7/2/21

2021 Writing Exercise Series #183: First Line Bonanza 16

The 2021 Writing Series is a series of daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep their 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.

This is not a standard writing session. This is pure production—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 it, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

#183
First Line Bonanza 16

Em dash day!
For today's writing exercise write a piece that begins with one of the following first lines.

1) The data was not only surprising—it was unbelievable.
2) The plan was set—we would shoot the messenger.
3) From the valleys and canyons, the deltas and mangroves, the deserts and farmland—singing.
4) This wouldn't—he was almost, kind of sure—come to blows.
5) Pops—louder than the slam of door or slap of hammer—punctured our conversation.

-----

Bonus 'constraint': You must include a paragraph/stanza in which all of the sentences begin with the word "Before".
------------------------------------

If you'd like some background music to write to, try this "Another Sunset Together" lofi playlist.