L'aura del Campo

2019年5月29日: Blog-o-prompts

I need help building the stock of prompts in the Challenge War Chest! Write four prompts of your own and then choose one to write your entry on.

I'm so glad others will come up with good ideas. My fountain-of-thoughts isn't overflowing at the moment. The plumbing is clogged.

I WENT THROUGH WHAT I WROTE BELOW AND CHOSE 4:

A. Have your seen your neighbors today (this week)? What did you say or do?
K. In writing we are asked who our audience is. Who is your audience (other than yourself)? Why? How do you find and connect to them?
I. These are four uncommon words (any four will do). Pick one and write whatever comes to mind.
F. Where is the line between killing and murder? Is it ever justified? Who or what does it apply to (look up Ahimsa)? Are intentions a factor?

I wrote to "I" (below) because I'm used to short prompts for poetry and flash-fiction.

So no need to read my ruminations further.

Certain prompts were difficult for me this past month. I felt as if I were submerged into a suburban-working-family-american-middle-class culture. There is nothing wrong with that, it's just not my reality.

Let me give some anti-prompts:

1a. What's your favorite memory while riding a horse...
1b. What's your favorite ride in an amusement park...

Both would be fine but not everyone has ever been on a horse or interacted with one. And not all places have amusement parks.

2a. What's your favorite Christmas tradition.
2b. What time of day is best for you during the Fast.

Both assume that the writer comes from a particular religious background. Hard to write a blog if your answer is, "I don't".

3a. What's your favorite European city?
3b. What's your favorite National Park?

Again, presumptions. And oddly narrow in scope. Not everyone has been to Europe. Not every place has "national parks".

What makes a good prompt? Well, perhaps one that is general enough that most everyone can answer. All of the above would be great for someone, just not everyone.

My thinking cap has been malfunctioning this past month. But I was able to write a couple blogs when I was sorely tempted to pass as the topic didn't apply. So coming up with good prompts is tricky.

I guess we all live somewhere, eat most everyday and interact with people. And just that can be a source of a hundred blogs. Every life may be boring on the surface, but there's plenty stirring beneath.

A. Have your seen your neighbors today (this week)? What did you say or do?
B. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks? What's your favorite or most important?
C. Pets or no pets?
D. Clutter or minimalism?

Or one could get more philosophical:

E. When does life begin, end, recycle? Physical? Spiritual? Does it matter at all?
F. Where is the line between killing and murder? Is it ever justified? Who or what does it apply to (look up Ahimsa)? Are intentions a factor?
G. When political, community, religious leaders become insufferable what is the best way to replace them? Or does one just accept?
H. Water is essential for life. What is the best way to manage it? Bottle it? Keep it clean? Distribute it? What is an abuse? Should it be free?

In poetry and fiction challenges we are sometimes given a form, a word, a phrase to focus on.

I. These are four uncommon words (pnyx, malachite, ketuvim, ogging). Pick one and write whatever comes to mind.

PNYX: I go to the place of gathering at midnight when the winter storm howls as if it may never end. I listen to the complaints of the wind, speak sweet-nothings to the stones to reassure them they will still be here come the end of Time. To be a leader and stand here alone is no great burden when the tempest is upon us. While others sleep, decisions are made. If I choose wrong, there will be others to take my place come morning. We each play a minor role in the never-ending play called Cosmos. I am grateful to play my part on this small stage.

So in my case, I wax poetic. but others might write an essay, a short fiction, relate a personal event.

J. "When writing the story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen." I found this by googling "quote of the day".
K. In writing we are asked who our audience is. Who is your audience (other than yourself)? Why? How do you find and connect to them?
L. There are many writing forms. In fictional prose: drabble, flash-fiction, vignettes, short-stories, novels, novelettes, epic novels. One can sort by genre like romance or mysteries. In poetry: there are thousands. What do you prefer to read or write and do you try others?

My ideas aren't well focused this morning. I need another coffee. I should reduce this blog to 300 words max, but I just don't care today. Somewhere in here there is an idea lurking.

I wrote this yesterday and read it to my group last night. One person exclaimed, "This is flash-fiction". Maybe I'm getting there.

STATIC

Erase and start over [94] (282w)  (18+) Flash fiction under 300 words. Prompts: work, stolen, pencil. #2191989 by Kåre Enga in Udon Thani

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