My company, Rich Chicks™ is about finding richness in all areas of one’s life: body, mind, spirit and finances. For me, the creative spirit is a big part in everything I do. I love to teach and I love to write, so I started a writer’s group in my building a few years ago. It is a small group that meets twice a month. The first meeting we write and the second one we read from any individual project we are working on. This blog piece is from one of the writing meetings. I create or find prompts the writers can choose from and we write straight through for 7 to 8 minutes on whatever their interpretation of the topic is. It is fun—that’s the point of this writing–to just start writing and keep writing until the timer dings. Do NOT stop for misspellings and don’t cross anything out. This helps keep your left-brain editor out of the picture. The prompt for the flash fiction below was “On the night of the full moon.”
The full moon was playing hide-and-seek with clouds—a perfect night for the little trick-and-treaters who had been ringing Doris’ front doorbell this evening. Ding dong—“Trick or treat, trick or treat.” Doris was just putting more candy in a large bowl, careful to leave the Snickers bag for last. They were her favorite.
She opened the door to a little band of princesses, Batmen, vampires, pirates, wizards, and zombies, who were accompanied by her across-the-street neighbor Bob. They were red-cheeked and excited as they held out their bags to collect goodies. Doris was very generous, as they were probably the last bunch. “Thank you,” they all said in unison. She could hear them walking noisily down the street. She smiled to herself and headed for her bag of fun-size Snickers.
She had just unwrapped a Snicker and popped it in her mouth when the doorbell rang again. She was surprised to have such late tricksters, and went to the door with her big bowl. “Trick or treat,” said a very reedy, odd sounding voice. She opened the door and there stood a mint-green creature with pointy ears and a furry bluish body. The four eyes on its head wiggled around on stalk-like protrusions. She noticed the eyes were all different colors: orange, green, blue and purple.
No question, she thought. Not an Earthling. “What planet are you from?” she asked pleasantly as she offered her candy bowl. One of the eyes, the orange one, glowed and turned on its stalk to look up at her. Doris was starting to feel uncomfortable… (ding dong–the timer went off. Pen down.)
There are lots of places on the internet to find writing prompts, or you can just make them up. Even just opening the dictionary and randomly picking a word works! Writer’s Digest will email you a weekly prompt if you sign up for it. You can also collect conversation bits you hear (or overhear) in coffee shops or other places where people gather. A couple that I have heard and used are “You know it’s not his baby, right?” “We don’t have to tell her we are going, do we?” and “But mom will never believe that.” You would be surprised what you hear! Got any favorite prompts or sources to share? Cheers, Karen
About Karen
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Thanks so much, Stacy! Somehow, you were in my spam folder, but I got you out and am interested in your blog. I’m making a trip there now. Best, Karen
Getting started can be the biggest challenge – no matter what it is that we are setting out to do. The key in the moment is to find a way to take action, despite the discomfort.
The journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step. ~Lao Tsu
Thanks for reading my post. I appreciate it. Love your posts! K3
Timed writing from prompts is a great ice breaker for writers. If the people are not writers it can be a horrible experience for them. I just wrote something about letting the creative side write while keeping the editor quiet, for a while. Nice blog.
Thanks for reading my post. I use timed writing to solve problems as well. Just writing out the problem, without thinking about solving it can bring a lot of clarity. K3
What a fun story again! Did you ever finish the story?
Too much fun!! My problem, however, would be the limitations you set on editing. Oh, that would get to me!
I have a whole set of writing prompts for elementary children. They love this activity. One of my young writers loves this prompt: “He couldn’t believe it. He reached his hand deep into the hole and pulled out…”
Thank you for your post!
Hi Karen, I love this idea of writing prompts. What a fun story to read. Love your image also.
Dropping in from Michele Bergh’s forum. Nice meeting you! 🙂
Lovely idea for creative writing. I need to try something like this with drawing for myself and some of my students. Thank you for sharing.
I am neither a chick or rich.
But I do find your desire and willingness to share your wisdom and wealth, quite captivating.
It is refreshing and encouraging to find one of the greatest creations taking charge, taking leadership.
Rich Chicks, even the name is quite captivating…