Tag: writing prompt

This piece of my own writing, taken from one of my notebooks, is all about a routine or ritual activity. In this case, I’ve chosen to write about my papercraft hobby of modern scrapbooking.

By saying “modern” I’m referring to bespoke products that conserve photographs and memories within a set of pages that will not cause everything to turn yellow-brown over time. The acid and lignin within paper and card causes the images to break down. It’s not an attractive way to keep your memories. Remember those sugar paper scrapbooks that are cheap and, not altogether, cheerful?

What matters with this piece of writing is whether the reader comprehends the activity from the description given.

This writing practice is a play on words. Or playing with words. I love words, always coped well with spelling, but there’s nothing quite like making up your own words, even when they turn out to be nonsense.

List words and change just ONE letter in each. The new word does not need to be real – it often isn’t – but it should be plausible, mean something within the context of the original word, however tenuous that connection might be.

f you also usually write via a keyboard, are you certain all your thoughts, your memories, your creativity, are being accessed? Is your own Inner Critic getting in the way – if it tries to stop me right this minute, I can easily continue making pencil marks on the virginal page. There is no Delete or Backspace key to erase bits the critic decides I should lose.

You can use the most unlikely material for a fun poem. In my writing notebook is a shopping list from many years ago. The way it was set out led to this poem…

For many years, I developed a deliberate collecting strategy – no taxidermy, but papercrafted, embroidered, knitted and crocheted owls have all been encouraged. Whilst I still balk at the idea of owning a real live owl, we did adopt one, remotely, at a Cornish owl sanctuary where I experienced the thrill of a feather-light bird landing on the outstretched glove that encased MY hand.

Rather like the Freewriting challenges I set myself – and you – from time to time, here’s a poetry one for you.

Topic: use several interrelated nouns and sound words in a playful way

I will aim for about 12-14 lines…

Over the years, I’ve written many pieces of my own history, mainly as good practice and also as self-help. Often it is hard to know what you believe or understand until you have spoken or written the words yourself. I try to be a good listener to others but, in truth, I’m a better reader. So my strategy for self-awareness has stood me in good stead.

I’ve written this piece as a response to an earlier post: Brainstorm Your Next Story I have no need to develop the theme – if any of you wish to use the material for your own creativity, be my guest.

Last weekend, the UK ‘sprang forward’ into Summer Time. We moved our watches and clocks an hour forward before we went to bed on Saturday night (officially this annual time shift happens at 0200 but I’ve never felt the need to set an alarm clock to do the dreadful deed!

The Motivational part of this piece is dictated by routine, stamina and discipline. I have no idea why the urge to NOT write can be much stronger than the WILL to write.