Write the first three sections of your next major work and a quick outline - or sketch, or brain stormed ideas, if you prefer - of the rest.
If you write fiction, this might be the prologue and first two chapters or the first three chapters.
If you write non-fiction, this might be the first three chapters or an introduction and the first three chapters.
If you write scripts or screenplays, this could be the first three scenes.
And if you write poetry - last but certainly not least! - this could be the first three sections of the major poem you never got around to writing. Or the first three stanzas, or the first three perfect lines of the next poem.
In any event,
LET'S GET TO WORK!
As always, I encourage you to share with us what you've accomplished - either by posting it or sending it to this blog, or by writing a quick summary of what you've done in comments below.
And, of course, we'll see you at Clockhouse Writers' Conference June 27 - July 1 this year, won't we?
Saturday, June 4, 2011
June Station of the Word
Write the first three sections of your next major work and a quick outline - or sketch, or brain stormed ideas, if you prefer - of the rest.
If you write fiction, this might be the prologue and first two chapters or the first three chapters.
If you write non-fiction, this might be the first three chapters or an introduction and the first three chapters.
If you write scripts or screenplays, this could be the first three scenes.
And if you write poetry - last but certainly not least! - this could be the first three sections of the major poem you never got around to writing. Or the first three stanzas, or the first three perfect lines of the next poem.
In any event,
LET'S GET TO WORK!
As always, I encourage you to share with us what you've accomplished - either by posting it or sending it to this blog, or by writing a quick summary of what you've done in comments below.
And, of course, we'll see you at Clockhouse Writers' Conference, won't we?
If you write fiction, this might be the prologue and first two chapters or the first three chapters.
If you write non-fiction, this might be the first three chapters or an introduction and the first three chapters.
If you write scripts or screenplays, this could be the first three scenes.
And if you write poetry - last but certainly not least! - this could be the first three sections of the major poem you never got around to writing. Or the first three stanzas, or the first three perfect lines of the next poem.
In any event,
LET'S GET TO WORK!
As always, I encourage you to share with us what you've accomplished - either by posting it or sending it to this blog, or by writing a quick summary of what you've done in comments below.
And, of course, we'll see you at Clockhouse Writers' Conference, won't we?
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Station of the Word for May
The most creative writing you'll ever do:
Sit down for fifteen minutes with no distractions and brainstorm a list of goals - writing, personal, professional, etc. - you want to have accomplished five years from today.
Spend another ten minutes prioritizing them.
Print your top ten.
Post them on your refrigerator.
Sit down for fifteen minutes with no distractions and brainstorm a list of goals - writing, personal, professional, etc. - you want to have accomplished five years from today.
Spend another ten minutes prioritizing them.
Print your top ten.
Post them on your refrigerator.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Station of the Word for April
This is National Poetry Month, and begins with April Fool's Day. Let's combine them:
You assignment this month is to take a familiar poem and write a pastiche that turns the meaning on its head. You might do this with awkward or mixed metaphors, non sequiturs, outrageous rhymes, or . . . . I'm sure you can think of something.
If you don't want to write a pastiche, you might consider a limerick (the best ones are salacious, of course), or just the worst poem you can imagine.
My favorite worst poem is
Only a Baby Small
Only a baby small,
Dropped from the skies;
Only a laughing face,
Two sunny eyes.
Only two cherry lips,
One chubby nose;
Only two little hands,
Ten little toes.
Only a golden head,
Curly and soft;
Only a tongue that wags
Loudly and oft.
Only a little brain,
Empty of thought;
Only a little heart,
Troubled with naught.
Only a tender flower
Sent us to rear;
Only a life to love
While we are here.
Only a baby small,
Never at rest;
Small, but how dear to us;
God knoweth best.
As I think about it, I shudder.
Please comment - or post your poem - below.
[Don't forget to register for CWC! Link Here.]
You assignment this month is to take a familiar poem and write a pastiche that turns the meaning on its head. You might do this with awkward or mixed metaphors, non sequiturs, outrageous rhymes, or . . . . I'm sure you can think of something.
If you don't want to write a pastiche, you might consider a limerick (the best ones are salacious, of course), or just the worst poem you can imagine.
My favorite worst poem is
Only a Baby Small
Only a baby small,
Dropped from the skies;
Only a laughing face,
Two sunny eyes.
Only two cherry lips,
One chubby nose;
Only two little hands,
Ten little toes.
Only a golden head,
Curly and soft;
Only a tongue that wags
Loudly and oft.
Only a little brain,
Empty of thought;
Only a little heart,
Troubled with naught.
Only a tender flower
Sent us to rear;
Only a life to love
While we are here.
Only a baby small,
Never at rest;
Small, but how dear to us;
God knoweth best.
As I think about it, I shudder.
Please comment - or post your poem - below.
[Don't forget to register for CWC! Link Here.]
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
March Station of the Word
This month's Station of the Word is a little different from usual.
Rather than write something, please sign into your account at http:// my.goddard.edu and log on to the CWC Writers Conference page in the right hand column. Sign up to go to Clockhouse Writers' Conference from June 27 to July 1 this year.
As always, we welcome comments below.
Rather than write something, please sign into your account at http:// my.goddard.edu and log on to the CWC Writers Conference page in the right hand column. Sign up to go to Clockhouse Writers' Conference from June 27 to July 1 this year.
As always, we welcome comments below.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Station of the word for February
Be sure to Register for CWC June 27 - July 1 at the Plainfield campus of Goddard College. Click here
Create three names for characters. You might use them in fiction, creative non-fiction, or narrative poetry. In any event, you're stretching somewhat and focusing and writing.
When you create these names,
1. Make the last name concrete (like Stone or Oakes).
2. Make the first name alliterative or have internal rhyme (Sally Stone; Joe Oakes).
3. Avoid creating porn star names (Rod Steele, Penny Laide).
4. Write a short description of each character you create.
5. Enjoy!
When you have created your characters, please list the names here by clicking comment below.
Create three names for characters. You might use them in fiction, creative non-fiction, or narrative poetry. In any event, you're stretching somewhat and focusing and writing.
When you create these names,
1. Make the last name concrete (like Stone or Oakes).
2. Make the first name alliterative or have internal rhyme (Sally Stone; Joe Oakes).
3. Avoid creating porn star names (Rod Steele, Penny Laide).
4. Write a short description of each character you create.
5. Enjoy!
When you have created your characters, please list the names here by clicking comment below.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
January's Station of the Word
Open your dictionary at random to five different pages and choose three words from each page.
At the top of your paper, write the three words from each page in a column. You'll end up with five columns.
If you write prose, choose at least one word from each column and create a narrative of at least 100 words.
If you write poetry, choose one word from each column and create a poem of at least 12 lines.
When you have finished, please post your work under comments below.
At the top of your paper, write the three words from each page in a column. You'll end up with five columns.
If you write prose, choose at least one word from each column and create a narrative of at least 100 words.
If you write poetry, choose one word from each column and create a poem of at least 12 lines.
When you have finished, please post your work under comments below.
Prescriptive New Year's Resolutions
Happy New Year!
It's time to write some resolutions, and I have some suggestions:
1. I resolve to attend CWC this summer - either at Goddard or Port Townsend.
2. I resolve to write every day for at least half an hour. If I can't think of anything, I'll write anyway and keep my behind in that chair for the whole time without procrastinating by sharpening pencils, vacuuming, getting a drink, having a snack, listening to the radio, watching the birds outside my window or - fill in your favorite procrastination activity here.
3. I resolve to check this site for the monthly Stations of the Word, and do them.
4. When I write, I resolve to submit my work to the appropriate venue and keep good track of my submissions.
5. I will get three hours of exercise every week, just to keep my mind and body sharp.
Good luck!
It's time to write some resolutions, and I have some suggestions:
1. I resolve to attend CWC this summer - either at Goddard or Port Townsend.
2. I resolve to write every day for at least half an hour. If I can't think of anything, I'll write anyway and keep my behind in that chair for the whole time without procrastinating by sharpening pencils, vacuuming, getting a drink, having a snack, listening to the radio, watching the birds outside my window or - fill in your favorite procrastination activity here.
3. I resolve to check this site for the monthly Stations of the Word, and do them.
4. When I write, I resolve to submit my work to the appropriate venue and keep good track of my submissions.
5. I will get three hours of exercise every week, just to keep my mind and body sharp.
Good luck!
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