Prompt 34 ~ Forbidden words

In this prompt I’d like you to think about the power that words can have and where that power comes from – specifically with words that are forbidden.  These forbidden words will be different for everyone – they can range from swear words to words related to sex or sexuality, religion or even family secrets.

Are there words you were forbidden to use as a child or things you were forbidden to talk about?  How do you feel about using those words now?  Do you?  Are there words you choose not to say as an adult?  Why?

For however long you need this week, I’d like you to give yourself permission to use those words.  Write something using those words or about those words – whatever the prompt evokes for you.  Write as freely as you can – because you do not have to post this writing.

Once the piece is written, replace the forbidden words with other words, ones you consider innocuous and which are not related to the forbidden ones.  It is this version of your writing I'd like you to post (if you wish to).

Can the meaning of the forbidden words still be gleaned even though the words have been replaced?  Has the taboo been lost or strengthened?  Did it feel liberating to change the forbidden words, or scary?

How did this exercise go for you?  Tell us about it.

Respond to the prompt however you want to - freewriting, poem, story, etc.  Whatever it brings up is fine, you don't have to follow the instructions to the letter.  If you'd like to share what you've written, however rough or polished, post it on your blog and leave a comment below with your post's url.  At least one of us will come over and read it.

Thank you!

Prompt 33 - Headlines

Take the newspaper (paper copy or on-line), and leaf through, without reading the articles, trying not to look at the photos. Just read the titles. When there's one that jumps out at you, one that you want to write about, then copy it down (resist the temptation to read the article, or follow that story on the news until you've done your writing).

What you write is up to you. Non-fiction. Poetry. Prose. You decide. Afterwards, if you like, you can read the original story.

If you decide to have a go at this prompt, don't forget to mention the source of the original title.

Also, if you do decide to play along, why not let us know in the comments section? If you post your writing on your blog, we'd be really excited to come over and read it. Let us know? (Blogger stats kindly tell us that we do have visitors, which we're ever so giggly and pleased about - why not stop and say hello, we'd be really ever so happy...)

Prompt 32 - the weather

They say the Brits talk lots about the weather. I'm not one for stereotypes, and I wouldn't have thought it true, but when I do get back to the UK, I've started to notice that lots of people do, indeed, make small-talk about the weather. At the bus stop, in the bus station, over breakfast with the family sitting at the next table in the guest-house dining room in Whitby. The weather. Is it a security blanket? ...Something to say? Or is it really a true passion for the weather?

Write whatever you like, a poem, a short story, you decide, but the weather should play a very central part in it somehow.

If you decide to try out this prompt, and if you decide to post up what you write on your blog, then leave a comment or e-mail us to let us know. We'll be over to read it with pleasure!

If you have any ideas for other prompts, do let us know - if we use your prompt we will, of course, say who it came from.

Happy writing!

Prompt 31 ~ Play with a poem

Today I found this wonderful interpretation of Emily Dickinson's Poem, "I'm Nobody". 

This week's prompt is to find a poem and play with it.  Do whatever inspires you.  There are no such things as mistakes.  Or rather, mistakes are encouraged because mistakes are charming. 

If you want to share, post what you've done on your blog and leave us a comment with a link to the post.  One of us will come over and read it.

Ta!

Prompt 30 ~ Live with a poem

This exercise was inspired by Fiona & Kaspa’s podcast on poetry. 

Pick a poem – any poem as long as it’s by someone else, not one of your own.  It can be one you know and love or one that’s completely new to you. 

Now, this is important: once you’ve picked the poem, you cannot go back and pick a different one, no matter how much you are tempted to.  Try to live with whatever feelings come up – even resistance or sudden dislike for some aspect of it, expected or unexpected.  Let the feelings come up, take note of them and then let them be. 

Over the week, take the time to read the poem slowly, meditating on the meaning of each line.  Try not to get too caught up in the literal meanings of the words but focus more on the images or feelings that emerge when you read the lines.  You might want to write down the things that come up for you during this process.

The idea is to live with the poem for a few days, until you’ve learned it by heart, until you can feel each line. 

Once you’ve done this, take the title of the poem and write your own poem in response to that title.

If you’d like to share what you’ve come up with, however rough or polished, post it on your blog and leave a comment below with your post's url.  At least one of us will come over and read it.


Ta!

Prompt 29 - patterns

I have a 'thing' for patterns ...especially visual ones, patterns in nature, the way fields are ploughed, clouds, the washed up sand on a beach... patterns in architecture, geometric forms.

As I was sitting at my computer, looking out the window in distraction, I pondered the ploughed fields on the hillside opposite. I realised that I had my next 26n prompt.

Play with patterns in your writing. It could be a pattern intended to be seen. It could be a pattern intended to be heard. Or both. Play with patterns in your writing.

Please feel free to take part. If you post your writing on your blog, leave the link in the comments section and at least one of us will be over to read it, all happy that other people are playing along at 26n!

I hope your summer was good! It's good to be back here!

Insert witty title here

As previously mentioned, Na & I are taking a break from posting prompts this month.  But, we didn't want to leave you high and dry, so here's some cracking writing to move and inspire you and maybe give you a kick up whatever appendage you want kickage for to enable you to write like your head is on fire...

In no particular order and chosen by me for it's "MUST READ"ness...

Teething by Matthew Brady Klitsch at The Dirty Napkin

Stamp a Little Thankfulness by Jo Gatford (I know her :-)) at Everyday Genius

In the Duck Light by Jo Gatford (yeah, her again, just read her, she's good) at Pank

Gestures by Megan Roberts at Smokelong

Leaving the Garden by Steve Ramey (I know him too, what can I say, I rub binary digits with the cool and talented) at Journal of Compressed Creative Arts

Plus, a fabulous blog I discovered recently...Danielle Davis

And, a book recommendation!  Maira Kelman's The Principles of Uncertainty which started life as a column for the New York Times.

Ok, I think you've got enough to keep you going for a couple of weeks.  Enjoy!