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
12/26/15
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).
