"It was a dark and stormy night"--the most overused, awful opening line ever. So, let's use it! ;) Write a story, poem, or essay with this as your first line.
Let's try a nonet for this prompt.
A nonet has nine lines. The first line has nine syllables, the second line eight syllables, the third line seven syllables, etc... until line nine that finishes with one syllable. It can be on any subject and rhyming is optional.
line 1 - 9 syllables
line 2 - 8 syllables
line 3 - 7 syllables
line 4 - 6 syllables
line 5 - 5 syllables
line 6 - 4 syllables
line 7 - 3 syllables
line 8 - 2 syllables
line 9 - 1 syllable
Good luck! Don't forget to check back to see who has posted. If you would prefer, it may be posted in the forum.
When I first saw this painting, I fell in love with it. The breads and rolls look real enough to grab up one and spread it with butter. As for the baker, well, you decide. Your challenge: write a poem or short story based on this picture, any form, any length.
No rush. Don't forget to check back to see who else posted. If you don't want to blog it, you can paste your writing in the forum instead. Good luck and have fun!
Another picture for interpretation--poem, story, or essay.
Another note:
Bob has posted an item out for critique in the Forum.
Drop by and give him a hand!
I have a busy week, so I may not post a prompt up for a couple days. Don't forget the Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Prompt and the Minute Prompt.
My last post, a grasshopper poem in Minute form, seemed to appeal to you all. So why not try one yourself...any topic. The Forum is now operational. Place the link to your post there, or the whole poem if you would like. Once you've registered and logged in, click on Upcoming Events and Reply to the Minute Poem assignment post you will find there.
The Minute Poem is a rhyming verse form consisting of 12 lines of 60 syllables written in strict iambic meter. The poem is formatted into 3 stanzas of 8,4,4,4; 8,4,4,4; 8,4,4,4 syllables. The rhyme scheme is as follows:
aabb
ccdd
eeff
An Example:
On fields of green I watch the sky
A flash goes by
Strange blur of green
Across sky seen
It is the grasshopper gone wild
His inner child
Jumping in glee
For all to see
Grasshopper leaps to touch white cloud
He is so proud
To soar so high
And touch blue sky.
Copyright 2007 JO Janoski
Okay, the boxes are getting unpacked...our additional space over at the Forums is ready.
I decided to add on the Forums to give us more space for the workshop. In that area we can have general conversations away from the crowd, post assignments if anyone doesn't want to put it on his blog at any time; and most importantly, this area can be used for more extensive critique. If you have a poem or story you would like to have someone read and critique, post it there. It is a nice quiet space to get the job done.
Also, I'm going to post information on the various poetry forms I use as prompts as a reference area.
All you have to do is register and you can use this area for your post addresses, critiques, conversations, etc. I will double post the prompts so you can check either place to see the latest. I don't want to let the blog feed go dead.
All you have to do is pick a name and password and register over there, and you're good to go.
Cheers, JO
A celebrity is coming to dinner!
Here is a challenge to stretch your imagination. A celebrity (living or dead) is coming to dinner at your house with you (and your family if you'd like), and your challenge is to write a story about that dinner. Make sure you interact with your celebrity and tell us all about it, the food, the conversation, everything. You provide the reason for the dinner, the plot, all the fine points. Good luck!
This is a short story challenge intended for the week. No need to rush; take your time.
Write a poem or story which includes a grasshopper.
Good luck!
Tomorrow will be our first "Free Write" hosted by Bob. It should prove interesting. Bob will give participants an opening prompt, and all will adjourn to write for an hour and post their items. Then we will meet back here again and discuss (in comments) each other's work.
Bob and I are both intending to participate. We're looking for more writers. If you'd like to give it a go, make mention in the comments below. Or if you'd rather just watch, that's okay, too. But being in it would be more fun. I've never done this before, but I'm guessing there are no winners or losers, just people enjoying and sharing their love to write. See you then!
Interpretation for this painting, please.
I know you will like this one, Paisley.
Poem or Short Story
Don't forget to check back and see who posted.
It's Friday! Something fun and easy:
Confess and write about your most guilty pleasure. It may be a poem if you like but doesn't have to be.
The Shadorma contains 6 unrhymed lines with line syllables as follows:
1st line – 3 syllables
2nd line – 5 syllables
3rd line – 3 syllables
4th line – 3 syllables
5th line – 7 syllables
6th line – 5 syllables
An Example:
Autumn Rains
(A Shadorma)
November
floods across my soul
muddy gray
as time takes
lively two steps to winter's
fresh snow-brushed canvas.
Copyright 2006 JO Janoski
For today's prompt, write an essay (real or imagined) with the following opening line:
"The weather had never affected my plans this seriously before."
A close relative to the Haiku is the Tanka, same form but a little longer. It gives more lines to paint a better picture of your mind's eye. Many poets express emotion in the first two lines, and the next three lines express movement toward what they want you to see.
A tanka is a great way to express yourself in odd moments during the day. Keep a notepad handy and jot down an idea while you're waiting in line or taking a break. React to your surroundings and bring them to life on paper. Try one!
Tanka, no rhyme necessary.
Syllables per line: 5,7,5,7,7
Example:
The Race
Bicycle jewels
Diamond wheels spit silver
Up, down and over
Rollicking hills all hearts beat
to win, just once, just to win.
Copyright 2007 JO Janoski
Another words and picture challenge. Interpret the painting below--poem, short story, essay--whatever you like, any length, form, or genre. (Don't forget to stop back to see new comments so you know when others have posted articles.) Also, join us for a timed writing critique session. We'd like to set a date, but need to know when possible participants are available. See article here.) Now the picture:
Have fun!
I have invited a co-host to join us here at the workshop. It is our very own Bob Church aka Bubba who will join us for a special type of prompt involving a timed writing session and group critique afterward. Critique is the best learning tool this workshop can offer, but beware--it is not for those who cannot take criticism. I know how hard it can be to have other people point out what's wrong with your work. But soon you will learn not to let your feelings get hurt and actually listen to good advice.
In writing, other people are your ultimate judges, and your work must past muster with them. Otherwise, you are only writing for yourself. Sharing your writes is the only way to know your words are working. So come and join in on these timed writings. You will learn.
A little something for when you have more time, your choice from the following two scenarios. Write a short story, at least 500 words, but no longer than 1500.
ELEMENTS:
#1
Who: An old man and a dog
Where: An amusement park
Situation: He has no money
OR
Who: A celebrity, you choose who
Where: A celebrity help desk at a local mall
Situation: Celebrity must man the desk for three hours and he/she hates public contact.
Have fun!
Before I begin, a word about these poetic forms, I know they are hard. I'm sure you feel the precise, measured meter and rhyme constricts your ability to express yourself. But please hang in there and keep practicing. Beneath the surface, these exercises help you to gain control over your language. Instead of the words seeming in control, pensive and unpredictable, you'll gain dominance over them, learning to sling them around any way you wish, despite their cries for mercy...oops, got carried away there. lol. Well, anyway, the exercises will solidify your poetry. Now on to the septet:
A septet is a seven-line poem with the following number of syllables per line, no rhyme. 3, 5, 7, 9,7, 5, 3.
An example:
Colors blush.
Breathless pink rushing
past bashful blue to morning.
Dangling in space, waiting for hot sun
to warm their pure desires
for simple beauty
just one day.
Copyright 2007 JO Janoski
A Workshop Assignment
Let's try a huitain:
A huitain contains 8 lines, 8 syllables per line
Rhyme Scheme ababbcbc
An Example:
Opening the Gate
Smiling frozen, glaring glass eyes
your face is winter running late.
Silent isolation, good-byes,
my yearning for kisses must wait
for you to remember how fate
prevails when love breaks tender hearts,
opening rigid white dream gates,
setting words free with love-fresh starts.
Copyright 2007 JO Janoski