Writeonandon's Weblog

Photo Inspiration

writeonandon — Tue, 06 May 2008 04:38:36 +0000

One thing I do from time to time is to look at a photo and write something inspired by the photo. It can be a poem, fiction, non-fiction, or just about anything.

Some photo blogs that I look at include:

There are many others but these often have writing accompanying the photos, which adds an extra dimension to the photo. Some also include music with the photo, which again adds to the photo and to the mind when you want to write!

Give it a try. Also, if you have a favorite photo blog, leave the link in the comments so we can all check it out.

Word Economy

writeonandon — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:20:45 +0000

Sometimes less is more. One way to practice word economy in our writing is to write short pieces with a set word limit. For instance, try writing a 50 word story or a 100 word story. It’s challenging but it’s fun! There is a bit of a trick to it but I think I’ll hold off on sharing that with you. If you think 50 or 100 word limits are too limiting, imagine Ernest Hemingway’s six word story which he is said to have considered his best prose: “For sale: baby shoes, never used.”

Sample 50 word stories:

He was empty. The sweet, sensitive man was gone. His eyes were cold. He was quiet. He missed all of her cues, saying nothing. He did not feel anything anymore. He was a different person. He was going through the motions. For the first time, she was scared for him.

As the airplane left the runway she was overcome by an incredible sadness. She wasn’t able to stop the tears that left her right eye and stained her makeup. Then it hit her…her purpose. She realized that she was put on Earth to make others happy, not to be happy.

The light filtered in through the sheer curtain. Grace’s eyelids fluttered. She turned on to her side, pulling the blanket with her. Turning again, she opened her eyes. It was definitely daylight. She couldn’t avoid it any longer. She had made up her mind and she was ready to act!

He set his half empty coffee cup on the small table, took a slow and deliberate drag from his cigarette then exhaled, stifling the sigh that came from within. What had happened to his life? He watched the smoke drift away from him til it disappeared, just like his life.

Sample 100 word stories:

She didn’t want an apology. She wanted acknowledgement. They had loved each other deeply, then with one press of the “enter” key he told her he was attracted to someone else. It ripped her heart. She told him she knew it wasn’t intentional. It had just happened. He said “Thank you for understanding.” And that was it. Nothing more. She wanted him to say he knew the change this would mean for her. It was easier for him to say nothing. That hurt her. She knew she could go on, but not without that acknowledgement. The hurt stayed and grew.

How could he get her to understand? He had not wanted children before. He had been angry when he found out she was carrying his child. But what she didn’t know was that things were different now. He wanted this child. It was his child, not just hers. She had no right to keep him from the baby. He loved her. He always had, just like he had always loved that baby…his baby. He had needed time to get used to the idea of being a father. He wanted his baby. He wanted her. At long last, he was ready.

Try it if you dare! It’s a worthy skill to learn. Feel free to leave your attempt in a comment or leave a link to your try!

Write on!

Blogs To Check Out

writeonandon — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:40:33 +0000

While looking for sites with writing tips earlier today, I came across a couple of blogs of note. The first, Bland Musings, shares with Readers an assignment in a memoir writing class. She describes it completely then shares her writing result from the exercise. I found it to be quite an interesting assignment and will probably do it and post the results here. You might want to check it out.

In A Writer’s Journey, the blogger gives a list of ways to set things up so that it is easier to write at home. Although it is primarily set up for stay-at-home-moms that wish to write at home, we can all use a little of it. See for yourself!

While you’re at it, take a look at Lighthouse Writing Tips and Journal Writing Tips With A Twist. The links take you to their home page. Go, explore. I’m sure you’ll find something of value to you.

Beginning of the End

writeonandon — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 22:27:28 +0000

It had been a joyous Christmas, filled with family and frivolity. My belly was pregnant with my third child. My heart was filled with happiness. All was right with the world.

On the 26th, the kids and I drove a half hour’s distance to visit a friend who was visiting her parents for the holiday. We had a wonderful visit, our children playing with one another and with my friend’s mother watching over the kids so that the moms could chat alone for a bit. When we got back home, I was exhausted and needed a nap. My naps were usually short, maybe 15 to 30 minutes, necessitated by the kids needing to be watched. However, it being a holiday, their father was home so when I took my nap, I knew he was there to watch them and I also knew that he would not hesitate to wake me if I were needed.

The nap was a long one. When I woke up, I sensed an urgency and headed for the bathroom, noting the time on the clock. I had slept for almost two hours! The sky was beginning to darken. When I turned to flush the toilet, I noticed that the bowl was filled with red-tinged water. It made me wonder if I something I had to eat or drink was responsible for the color, which looked like watered down red Kool-aid. Then it hit me. My heart stopped. It was blood. I flushed and as the bowl filled with clean water, I felt the urgency again.

This time, there was no mistaking it. It was blood.

This was the beginning of the end.

Beginnings

writeonandon — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 07:16:31 +0000

I’ve always loved to write. I remember the first time I realized that those funny little lines and symbols actually stood for words that meant something. It opened a whole new world to me. Since that moment, long before I saw the inside of a classroom, I set out to learn to write and then to create stories.

Some of those stories will be here.

Some prompts and links and thing to think about as a writer will be found on other pages, as I am able to create them.

I hope you enjoy this journey with me.

Write on!