8/18/21

2021 Writing Exercise Series #230: First Line Bonanza 19

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.

#230
First Line Bonanza 19

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

1) "Pain management" was a phrase that the nurse was, quite frankly, sick of.
2) For what purpose the sun might decide not to rise in the morning, I wasn't sure—but that did not stop the occasional fright.
3) Cars laid on their horns as though the sound would move her.
4) Transitioning from lunchtime into afternoon—the day grew hotter.
5) They latched onto pre-existing fears and yanked.

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Bonus 'constraint': You must include two people arguing in the distance.
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If you'd like some background music to write to, try Chet Baker & Paul Bley - Diane (1985).