Writing Prompt – April 13, 2010
QuoteSnack offers fresh quotes daily, attributed and linked to a confirmed, published source. In addition, I’ll sometimes post a writing prompt with simple instructions. The next post will be a quote that has something to do with the prompt, so you can take a peek at differences or similarities in how someone else relates to using the same words.
There is no wrong approach. Don’t worry if something seems to be a lot more emotionally charged than it is on the surface, or if some prompts are duds for you. This is a mind-opening exercise; anything is possible.
The Prompt
Directions:
- Be ready to write, word processor open, or pad and pencil in hand. Set a timer for five minutes.
- Clear your mind.
- Click “Reveal Writing Prompt” below, and look at the prompt for the space of one deep, quiet breath.
- As you start the second breath, clear your mind of expectations.
- Write, full on, whatever comes to you, for five minutes. Do not stop to correct anything – just go.
- When the time is up, you have to stop.
- Get up and wiggle. Move. Laugh. Growl. Pat self on back.
You’re welcome to leave comments about the experience and anything that comes of it, including links or even your entire prompt-generated exercise. However, please don’t look at any comments until after finishing your own writing. What you’re doing right now is a personal thing.
April 13th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Them – (Through pursed lips, swallowing a smile) Oh really? When did they find the shoebox, and what were you doing in the shoe department?
Me – Well, I…
Them – And how did they know it was you?
Me – Well, I…
Them – (Laughing) Exactly what did you write?
Me – I was…
Them – (Laughing)
Me – Oh, come on! Let me say it!
Them – Who’s stopping you? I’m not stopping you!
Me – I…
Them – Well?
Me – (blurts) A customer found it… I mean, a customer’s husband found it, at home, after she brought the shoes home. It was… well… romantic. Appreciative.
Them – laughs
Me – It’s not like that was the only poem. I’ve been going back there, into the storage room, and writing them on the bottoms of shoe boxes, for, like, weeks, two or three months maybe.
Them – Since you dropped out of school.
Me – No. Longer than that.
Them – When you broke up with –
Me – No! Nothing like that. More than just my life. I just wanted to make people smile, make them feel special, you know – random acts of kindness and all that.
Them – I’ll bet you started when –
Me – When Marta forgot my birthday.
Them – (nods)
Me – Nobody… NOBODY was gonna do me that way and make me lose my joy for life. Not really. Not for real. Not for long.
Them – Do you know who got that last poem?
Me – How do you know it was the last one? I wrote over 100. More than 100.
(pause)
Me – You wanna go back there? Check and see?
Them – (silent grin)
Me – I dunno. So that one didn’t go to a poetry fan. So what. Who knows?
Them – The others?
Me – Passed them by unseen, or went to someone who at least did not complain.