The words just write
Compromise. Blogging still has its grip on me, as you may have noticed. Yah, yah.
I’ve been prompted with another post idea that I will issue to you as a writing challenge, while I’m… ahem… breaking from the blog *snort*.
Today I completed another writing exercise to encourage a piece of fiction for the Summer Writing Space I’m participating in.
Fiction is the style of writing that I’m most challenged with and after choosing a structure, I was able to let it happen.
I let the words tell the story and let go of the perception that I was telling a story. It flowed.
Funny how cooperative the imagination can be when it has a directive; like a child with a short attention span who just needs a little guidance.
I’ll share the result in a few weeks, after we’re finished with the following…
Just 9 words of the day
Here is the challenge I’m proposing:
Using the following nine words, write a story or a poem, etc., keeping it to a maximum of 100 words.
Fly, Magnitude, Timothy, Typography, Death, Closet, Swell, Rena, Jerome.
You can choose these words, or pick nine of your own; post to your blog, linking to this post, or submit your post to me as a guest post.
NOTE: If you choose to submit your post as a guest post you must use the words that I have chosen. Ha! :-)
You cannot alter the form of the words. For example: do not use “swelling” instead of “swell”. You can use hyphenated forms of the words in this challenge.
When you send your submission to davina (at) shadesofcrimson (dot) com:
1. Include a title for your submission, (maximum 100 words).
2. Please include an image of your choice; your own or one with permission, giving credit to the source.
3. A few words sharing what the process was like for you.
4. A link to your blog, including its name and your name.
5. Submit by August 15th (two weeks from now).
These five things need to be considered for a submission to be accepted.
This is not a contest; just an exercise I thought might be fun to share. Depending on how many I receive, I will choose three submissions to post here.
If you don’t choose to participate, please spread the word. Or, perhaps you’d like to answer a question or two:
Why do you write?
What is your biggest challenge?
Imagine you’re writing now; see yourself from an observer’s perspective. Describe yourself; in 9 words ;-)
Photo Credit: Karindalziel
Pete Goumas
Hilary
Julie Walraven
simply stephen
Mike Goad
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Two submissions already; thanks ladies — you know who you are :-) This is going to be great fun. Batter up!
It sounds like a fun exercise.
I prefer the question — “Why do you write?” …
I write to share and scale expertise.
What’s the why behind that? … I want to improve the quality of life for as many people as I can, as long as I can, and I’ve found that writing is a way to achieve that and scale it, in a timeless way.
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..30 Days of Getting Results =-.
Ooh yeah. I can’t wait to see what folks come up with for this creative challenge, Davina! I’m saving myself a front row seat… :)
I write because there are ideas, feelings and impressions that don’t want to stay inside. They must out.
However, the biggest challenge of that is trying to make sense of it all. Often times it’s just a complete mess. I have to find individual strands and then painstakingly tie them end to end, one at a time.
Quiet. Ordinary. Awkward. Clumsy. Shambling. Shaggy. Asymmetric. Misshapen. Transient. :P
LOL Davina – I’ll admit, when I first read this, I had to go away and think about it. I’m so pushed for time, I thought – no way. But I was thinking today what a fun exercise it would be. And the deadline is a couple of weeks away – so you can count me in.
Congrats on your first piece of fiction! I don’t do fiction and don’t aspire to, but will definitely spread the word.
I will think about this as I am raspberry, blackberry and blueberry/ beets, broccoli and collard greens challenged at the moment.
I will share the idea and spread the word…:)
I have put the words on an index card above the kitchen sink and will think about them as I work on the produce…neat idea
Congrats on your first piece
Still having envy over the workshop experience…
Davina,
What a fun challenge. I’ve copied it and the specifications. Is there a word limit?
Also, I agree with Patricia…congratulations on your fiction story. I look forward to reading it!
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Story Photo- End the Story =-.
JD,
You do share and scale expertise on your blog. In a big way! Your posts blow me away with the amount of information you share. There is a lot of commonsense suggestions and you showcase fantastic examples from experts. Powerful stuff and I’m always glad when I’ve stopped by.
Tony,
So far there have been 3 excellent submissions; all so very different. I know EXACTLY what you mean! The ideas rush through you, not necessarily in chronological order. It’s like a bowl of alphabet soup stirred up. I love the way you’ve described this… and the fact that you are willing to “painstakingly tie them end to end, one at a time” You LIKE to write. :-)
I love your 9 words, too. Er… shaggy? :-D You could write a bio piece with those nine words for your book jacket.
Cath,
Oh, I hope you do submit something! Just give yourself, say a half hour to scribble some thoughts down. Perhaps just write a sentence for each word to get the juices flowing. You can marinate on those while you go about your business. Then, take another half hour to rework it see what emerges.
A half hour a day for a couple of days and you watch… the picture will come into focus. What I’ve learned after doing two of these is that you have to push through and don’t give up. It’s a great exercise just for the fact of “pushing through” to the other side.
Vered.
Thanks! Appreciate you spreading the word. :)
Patricia.
See my comment to Cath for some suggestions about allowing this to flow. It’s some kind of conditioning exercise for the writer. Neat stuff. You are so good to yourself where nutrition is concerned. I have envy over that (lack discipline in that department). Seriously!
Sara.
I had a feeling you’d be into this. :-) I know you like these kinds of challenges. The word limit is 100 and not one over. I’ve had a couple of submissions that are exactly 100 words. It’s kind of neat to write the piece and edit it down, playing with the combination of words to make it exactly 100. There’s so much you can do with this exercise to test yourself.
You might be surprised by my entry. It’s a little on the dark side.
I write because I can’t not write. I think my brain would explode or something. My biggest challenge with writing is discipline. I wish I had the discipline to finish something and follow through to publication with something that didn’t involve work or the blog.
.-= XUP´s last blog ..Roommates =-.
I just can’t resist a challenge… ;)
Hm, and 9 words to describe me?
Shy. Quiet. Tiny. Friendly. Graceful. Clumsy. Nerdy. Dorky. Elegant.
I know some of those seem contradictory, but if you know me well enough, you’ll know it’s true. ;)
Davina,
I’m in Vared’s catagory. I’ll help you promote this. You’re so creative!
Hi Davina,
Sounds like a complicated task yet an interesting challenge, so count me in!
“Why do you write?”
To express thoughts and feelings that bugs me inside if I don’t let them out!
“What is your biggest challenge?”
To truly reflect in words what the feeling or thought are.
“Imagine you’re writing now; see yourself from an observer’s perspective. Describe yourself; in 9 words ;-)”
High winds with flying things inside without movement outside
Raul
XUP,
I can’t imagine not writing. Discipline is a challenge for a lot of writers, myself included. How do you manage to post to your blog so consistently? That is obviously not only about discipline. Maybe discipline gets a bad wrap… maybe that’s the secret. It’s about more than just discipline. Hm.
Allison,
LOL, graceful vs clumsy. Just imagined you stubbing your toe and doing a graceful “dance” :-) You’ve got all your bases covered with these.
Tess,
Yay. Thanks for helping to promote this.
Alien Ghost,
Another one signed up — great! Looking forward to your submission.
That’s a good one! “To truly reflect in words what the feeling or thought are.” Cool description of yourself as a writer… scientific-like; sounds like a vacuum :)
Davina,
9 words: peaceful, joyful, exuberant, enthusiastic, beautiful, generous, kind, loving, fun…
I write on my blog to guide others to live a peace filled, joy filled life exactly where they are, exactly as they are…I write in general because my heart soars when I write.. I love words, I love reading words, I love writing words…
My biggest challenge in writing is that it needs to come from my heart..so if someone gives me a topic that needs addressing immediately it’s harder for me to create than if I may allow spirit to guide me…
I love your challenge..how fun..I will submit…
Your creative juices are certainly flowing lately–good to see!
.-= Joy´s last blog ..Monday Blessing- Favorites… =-.
Darn you, Davina! I am supposed to be doing other things!!!! Now I have to do this!!!!!
*grin*
Joy,
I love your 9 words — especially exuberant. “…because my heart soars when I write.. I love words, I love reading words, I love writing words…” You’ve definitely found your passion, through writing. That’s a good point. It does make a difference when we are writing for someone else; we tend to go into the head space rather than the heart space to think it through more than if it were our ‘own’. You’re submitting? Excellent!
Eliza,
I said this on Facebook today and I’ll say it here again… Bwahahahaha! :-) Received your entry and love it! Thank you.
Very clever, Davina. Why write when you can get others to do it? I’m just kidding, I know this will be a lot of work for you (but fun, it sounds like). I’m gonna pass, but I look forward to reading the submissions. And thanks for the link to Summer Writing Space. Very cool. Oh, and I’ve never really thought about why I write. First thing that comes to mind, though, is because I have something to say.
.-= Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s last blog ..Meaning Mondays- August! =-.
This sounds like fun. I think I might do this.
.-= Matthew Dryden´s last blog ..My Comrade =-.
Patty,
I love the enthusiastic response this has generated. The submissions have been really good and so different. The Summer Writing Space has been a good experience. Encourages the practice of writing and sharing of ideas among a small group of writers learning and stretching themselves. Good support. I enjoy what you have to say and how you write it on your blog :)
Matthew,
Yayy. You’d be the first guy! Go for it.
This sounds like a great challenge
.-= Arts web show´s last blog ..Drawing and creative writing- ‘camped around the guitar’ =-.
Hi Davina .. had to do it now .. or not at all .. here it is:
Who done it?
The fly buzzed around Timothy, death was not far away; the swell of the closet curtains in the evening breeze showed the air circulating, keeping it fresh for now.
Rena and Jerome worked happily on with their typography, the magnitude of their father’s project keeping them fully involved – forgetting about his ‘temporary’ absence.
Joe, the typesetter, Amanda, the glyph modifier, Andrew, the art director worked nearby.
Cluedo has a new room, new death and new murderer – who murdered Timothy in the closet with a typesetters lead based alloy?
Bye .. Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Could this be a sitcom – or a break out sitcom Ever had a one word – at a time – conversation Fish and Chips – how do you spell it =-.
& I forgot .. I’m not blogging – you are!!
Back soon .. H
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Could this be a sitcom – or a break out sitcom Ever had a one word – at a time – conversation Fish and Chips – how do you spell it =-.
Dearest Davina — this post has reminded me our our guest post idea. Sorry for the delay.
Read the BEST post on Copyblogger the other day about guesting posting…. http://www.copyblogger.com/inner-circle/
Wonderful ideas in there.
Why do you write? Hmmn…. Because the little voices tell me to.
What is your biggest challenge? Hmmnnn. Sticking to one point.
Imagine you’re writing now; see yourself from an observer’s perspective. Describe yourself; in 9 words ;-) Hmmn…
hunched, tired, restless, optimistic, absorbed, flowing, breathing, chubby, leashed.
Quite a weird list, eh?
xoxo
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..18 More Amazing Things I’ve Done Lately =-.
Arts web show,
Let’s see what you got! :)
Hilary,
Oooh, this is mysterious. Great job! :) You’ve been extra creative with this challenge. I’m guessing it was Rena and Jerome’s father? Re his “temporary” absence…
Lol… no… YOU are blogging! :-) Tag! You’re it….
Jannie,
Hey, don’t worry about it. Whenever you’re ready. Just let me know. I read the post you linked to; thanks. It was a good post. Makes sense that you have to take things to a new level to increase your traffic. It’s possible if you want to make it happen.
If you’re a Funster :) I’d see why it’s hard to stick to one point; there are a lot of different ways to have fun. Though… I don’t see you having that problem with your songs??? I like your “weird” list; you sound like a writer :)
Hi Davina .. isn’t that interesting .. the temporary absence I thought referred to Timothy .. he lay dying, and was away longer than he should have been .. your interpretation is a good one …
And I missed an apostrophe .. oh well ..
Enjoy today .. later on! Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Could this be a sitcom – or a break out sitcom Ever had a one word – at a time – conversation Fish and Chips – how do you spell it =-.
BTW, I love the idea of using the 9 words for a 100 a lot! I’ll submit that and there’s my guest post right?? Ton of fun!
You are awesome and so creative, taking your blog to a new level.
Today I am upright, sunny, poised, open, curious, jazzed, semi-slim, smooth and contented.
What a difference a day, food and sleep make. :)
xoxo
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..“Somewhere On A Michigan Highway” — Singin’ For & About The G-Man =-.
Hilary,
I thought my guess was TOO easy! :-) It’s driving me nuts now. Let’s wait a bit and see if anyone comes up with the answer to your story. Though, I see that comments are slowing down. Let’s see what happens.
Jannie,
Yes, please do! That will be your guest post then — perfect! Thanks for your cheerleading :-) Smooth, jazzed and semi-slim Jannie. I love the words you’re using here. I agree… “What a difference a day, food and sleep make.” What food did you eat and can I have some? :-D
Hi Davina .. I suspect another unsolved mystery! You could do another post around it I suppose & the other others you get .. to ask for answers .. – then I’d have to get my brain into gear and dream up some wonderful glyph murderer in the background …?
Enjoy today .. when it comes .. mighty early here – sun just coming up behind the houses yonder! Looks like a sunny one though & that’s great .. byeee .. H
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Could this be a sitcom – or a break out sitcom Ever had a one word – at a time – conversation Fish and Chips – how do you spell it =-.
Great idea! I’d really like to take part. Let’s see what I can come up with for the words Fly, Magnitude, Timothy, Typography, Death, Closet, Swell, Rena, Jerome.
Hilary,
Put your thinking cap on. You CAN’T leave us hanging on the edge of our seats! :)
Rose,
Awesome! Another one. I’ve received 6 entries now with a couple of people indicating they are also interested. Good stuff.
I find your idea of using nine words to write a short story brilliant.
Maybe the best way I can contribute with your challenge is to offer my nine words.
Dragon, Time Machine, Purple, King, Sun, Whale, Lightening, Excalibur, Astronomy.
I know you love Harry Potter.
Pick a couple of words and add your own, or use them all.
I’m curious what you and everyone else come up with.
Have fun!
Hi Davina .. I’ll see what I can do .. brain is somewhat numbed .. Mum’s room was flooded! and so we have to move rooms .. do I need this? Then when upstairs is ready we have to move upstairs! .. I don’t know – I just want her & me to rest .. but posters et al .. all take time!
Let’s hope the week brings good news .. have a great week .. I’ll try not to leave you in the lurch .. byeeeee .. Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Painted Ladies of the World who stop trains A year later! =-.
Fly, Magnitude, Timothy, Typography, Death, Closet, Swell, Rena, Jerome.
The magnitude of Timothy
Meant planes couldn’t fly
Over the city.
He would swell
At an arithmetic rate
And peer into everyones’ windows.
He tried to control his size
But the fact was
Bigger seemed better.
Rena just couldn’t stand by him
- she ran into their apartment
- she hid inside their closet
And knocked over piles of paper.
It was covered in private thoughts.
Reading them was shocking.
She felt betrayed and disgusted
But she had to laugh.
Then Jerome kicked down the door.
He took Rena over his shoulder.
He saw the piles of paper.
He saw stickles of jagged typography
- Thorns that could fix
A thousand butterflies
Or burst a thousand balloons.
He scooped up a handful
And Rene make a token protest
And he flug a paper aeroplane
And it found its drum-tight target
And then Timothy was looping skyward
And he felt the wind go out him
And the force of a lifetime’s talking
Blew him way beyond the pale.
And when the wind was near done
He felt great deal lighter
And he smiled as he started falling
toward the full-stop of death.
**************************************
Hahaha, that was a bit Roald Dahl.
I don’t know if that’s worth polishing but it was fun to write.
.-= G´s last blog ..Frankenstein Trailers =-.
Jim,
Thanks for your nine words. They’re great! Will see what I can come up with and would be cool if someone else tried, too.
Hilary,
Rest is a good thing. Especially after a move! When I can find a spare second, I’d like to put some thought into this too. Would be fun.
Hi G, this is a nice surprise!
Way cool poem — thank you! I think it is worth polishing. I loved the part about the thorns, the butterfly and the balloon. I need to read this a couple more times; it bears an imaginative journey that I’d like to take flight with a few more times :-)
Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach is one book I’ve been meaning to read, actually.
Hi Davina .. it seems G has pulled the punches .. brilliant poem .. I loved it .. with a great story attached .. I can see it happening now –
Reset – please can I have some of that .. it never stops .. one day .. I’ll just be able to zizz for a few days and completely recoup .. one day I suspect ..
Happy day ahead .. Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Painted Ladies of the World who stop trains A year later! =-.
Dearest Davina, I liked this post idea of yours so much, I linked it in my sidebar today!
xo
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Happy Birthday- Rosie =-.
Hilary,
It *was* a really neat poem. I loved it! For his first time commenting, I’d say he done good… real good :-) Was just thinking… don’t put too much pressure on yourself to recoup… that just adds to the load ;-)
Jannie.
Awh… :-) Thank you! You’re a little sweetheart.
I’m back because, in my excitement about your challenge, I don’t I answered any of your questions. I picked this one: Imagine you’re writing now; see yourself from an observer’s perspective. Describe yourself; in 9 words ;-)
She’s talking to herself AGAIN, a story is coming:~)
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Story Photo- Is it the Same =-.
Hi Davina — what do you know, I just picked approximately 692 words and combined them to make a complete post at my blog — maybe I can get an honorable mention or perhaps a Shades of Crimson mug?
I write because sometimes I feel like I have something to say. When I share it with others, and they chime in, it helps my thought-process. In fact, writing in and of itself helps my thought process. When my hands hit the keyboard and I’m typing something out, I read it aloud. It’s then that I feel like it makes me a better speaker too in the process.
Then of course there’s the days when I feel like I have absolutely nothing to say. Then a week goes by. By then, all I want to do is disconnect, head to the beach, and recharge :-)
.-= Ricardo Bueno´s last blog ..START A BLOG TODAY =-.
#1, I’m visiting over from your button at Jannies.
#2, this is a very cool and interesting challenge!
#3, my biggest challenge is about every 3-4 months I get a major block. Ughh. Hate those.
.-= sheila´s last blog ..Visions of Sugarplums Chocolate Frogs =-.
Sara,
LOL. Nine words exactly! :-)
Chris,
Smart alec :-)
Ricardo,
Hi there. Haven’t seen you in a while :) You’re right on with that. Writing does help the thought processes — emptying out the “chatter” and putting it in a visual context. And when you’re reading it out loud it’s a great opportunity to massage your presentation. I bet when you’re recharging at the beach you come up with a million ideas. Bring a notepad with you, right? ;-) And you thought you were recharging… maybe uploading….
Sheila,
Nice to see you over here. Thanks for popping by for a visit. Jannie does a great job with those buttons, doesn’t she? Maybe you’ll try this challenge? There’s still time. Or even the next time you get a major block; this might be a good exercise to just put it out there.
Words make statements. Silence has its own timeless, intrinsic value.
.-= Liara Covert´s last blog ..Detach from the doer =-.
Liara,
I do appreciate silence. It does have a timeless, element now that you mention it.
I’m a bit late to the challenge so I’ll opt to answer the questions:
I write to 1) express my thoughts, opinions, existential struggles 2) explore a passion I’ve always had but have tried to ignore until I no longer can 3) challenge my creativity 4) move closer to my truer self 5) connect with wonderful souls like yourself
My biggest challenge? Editing.
9 words to describe my writing from an observer’s POV? probing, opinionated, thought-provoking, challenging, open, creative, random, political, positive
Hi Belinda.
Moving closer to your truer self — I love that expression. Writing does have a way of taking you there, even when you don’t see it. Sometimes only after you’ve written something and look back, do you see yourself. It’s like it sneaks up on you when you least expect it and only because you don’t expect it. I’d love to hear more about why you tried to ignore this passion. I bet there’s a story there!
Editing huh? You might try this exercise, then. It’s a great way to practice cutting out words and letting go of phrases you might have become attached to, just to fit it into 100 words.
Hey, it’s the 16th! I better get my submission in to you!! I’m a day late, and a dollar short.
xoxo
And hey — things are looking pretty uptown here with your Thesis theme! Whoo-hoo.
xoxo
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Angel Of Delight In The Garden =-.
Jannie,
It is the 16th… of August. What happened to June and July? That’s what I’d like to know. Thanks :-) I love my Thesis theme.
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