Ready, Set, Go

Set a timer for ten minutes. Open a new post. Start the timer, and start writing. When the timer goes off, publish.

 

I have to qualify this post by saying I started working on it on Saturday!  I'm pretty sure most on-line "journalists" use this method of hitting "publish" without re-checking their story 99% of the time!  There are many reasons NOT to publish something without thinking it through.  In my opinion, here are a few:

1.  Haste Makes Waste

This is a phrase I have heard all my life.  I did a little research and found the first record of the phrase haste makes waste comes from the 1500s. It may originate from part of a longer proverb: “Haste makes waste, and waste makes want, and want makes strife between the goodman and his wife.”  Rushing things leads to mistakes or poor results.  The result of working too fast might be that you end up having to throw out what you’ve done and start over. 

 

2.  Grammar Matters

I can't tell you how many times I've been confused reading an article.  I am not an English teacher, I struggle with correct grammar myself, so publishing without proofreading is going to produce a messy post.  I am not thinking of anyone in particular as I write this post.  Please don't be offended if you struggle with correct grammar! 

3.  Overlooking Mistakes

It's easy to overlook a mistake on something I've just written.  Sometimes I'll type "this" when I meant "these."  Even when I proofread, it's easy to miss a mistake because I know what the sentence is suppose to say. 

Poor Joey ;)  Breaking his heart and correcting his spelling!

4.  Passing the Philippians 4:8 Test

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”   I want what I write to pass the test for truth, honesty, justice, purity, loveliness.  I want it to be a good report filled with virtue and praise.  I want to carefully think about what I write before I hit "publish."  I Googled "fake news" and there were almost 900 million results!  Fake news does not pass this test.

 

5.  Charity Counts

Just because I think something, it doesn't mean I need to say it or post it.  My Bible reading this morning included 1 Corinthians chapter 13.  If my writing doesn't reflect a spirit of charity, what I've written will be ignored or ridiculed. As I have said many times, what we publish on the internet, stays on the internet.  More important that correct grammar is a kind attitude.

Writing Prompts January 24-30

January 24 - Ready, set, go 

Set a timer for ten minutes. Open a new post. Start the timer, and start writing. When the timer goes off, publish.

January 25 - Dearly departed

Write your own eulogy.

January 26 - Musical

What role does music play in your life?

January 27 - Sliced bread

Most of us have heard the saying,“That’s the best thing since sliced bread!” What do you think is actually the best thing since sliced bread?

January 28 - Ode to a playground

A place from your past or childhood, one that you’re fond of, is destroyed. Write it a memorial.

January 29 - Through the window

Go to the nearest window.  Look out for a full minute.Write about what you saw.

January 30 - Burning down the house

Your home is on fire.  Grab five items (assume all people and animals are safe). What did you grab?

Writing Prompts January 17-23

January 17 - In a crisis

Honestly evaluate the way you respond to crisis situations. Are you happy with the way you react?

January 18 - Free association

Write down the first words that comes to mind when we say...home...soil...rain. Use those words in the title of your post.

January 19 - Apply yourself

Describe your last attempt to learn something that did not come easily to you.

January 20 - Breaking the law

Think about the last time you broke a rule (a big one, not just ripping the tags off your pillows).  Were you burned, or did things turn out for the best?

January 21 - Sweet sixteen

When you were 16, what did you think your life would look like? Does it look like that? Is that a good thing?

January 22 - I got skills 

If you could choose to be a master (or mistress) of any skill in the world, which skill would you pick?

January 23 - Shipwrecked 

Read the story of Richard Parker and Tom Dudley. Is what Dudley did defensible? What would you have done?

Two for One: Ripped from the Headlines + Polite Company

Two of this week's writing prompts immediately brought a "no, thanks" response:

January 14 - Head to your favorite online news source. Pick an article with a headline that grabs you. Now, write a short story based on the article.

January 15 - “It’s never a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don’t really know.” Agree or disagree?

 

Unfortunately, the headlines these days are not worth reading, much less writing about.  I'm spending less and less time reading even conservative news these days because it's all so negative.  Of course that negativity is usually about politics!

Am I a chicken for avoiding these subjects?  Maybe.  Do I have opinions about these subjects? Absolutely.  But just because I have an opinion doesn't mean I need to share it.  Jesus said in Matthew 10:16, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible said, "I send you, inoffensive and harmless, into a cold, unfriendly, and cruel world. Your innocence will not be a protection.  Probably the thing in which Christ directed his followers to imitate the serpent was in its caution in avoiding danger. No animal equals them in the rapidity and skill which they evince in escaping danger. So said Christ to his disciples, You need caution and wisdom in the midst of a world that will seek your lives. He directs them, also, to be harmless, not to provoke danger, not to do injury, and thus make their fellow-men justly enraged against them."

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible said, "The serpent is a very sharp sighted, cunning creature, and uses various arts and stratagems for its own preservation, and especially of its head; and is so far to be imitated by the followers of Christ, as to make use of all proper methods to preserve themselves from the insults and rage of men, and not expose themselves to unnecessary dangers: and, as much as in them lies, they should be careful to give no just occasion of offense, or irritate, and provoke them to use them ill, and to avoid all snares and traps that are laid for them; and, at the same time, maintain the innocence and harmlessness of the dove, being free from all wicked cunning and craftiness, without rancour, malice, and wrath; not meditating and seeking revenge, but meek and humble in their deportment, leading inoffensive lives, and proceeding in the course of their calling, though liable to many insults, and much oppression."

I have used this particular example several times on my blog.  It's more than just a cute little story, I really believe it's an important way to live:

Two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything,wrote in the sand:

"Today my best friend slapped me in the face."

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one, who had been slapped, got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After the friend recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:

"Today my best friend saved my life."

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?"

The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."

Learn to write your hurts in the sand, and to carve your benefits in stone.
~ Author Unknown

This blog is my stone. When someone hurts me, I won't be writing it here.  You won't find my political views here.  If you want my opinion, you'll need to ask me face to face because hot topics can easily be misunderstood and twisted on the world wide web.

 

The Apostle John wrote in 3 John 13-14, ""I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face."

 

Writing with pen and ink cannot compare to speaking face to face.  Body language, voice inflection, and so much more is lost on paper or screen.  The "conversation" is one way, with no way to respond, defend or diffuse.

 

It's easy to send a text message, but not so easy to clean up the mess that may follow.  It's easy to hide behind a keyboard, but the wise Apostle John knew that speaking face to face was the higher road.

Writing Prompts January 10-16

January 10 - 32 flavors

Vanilla, chocolate, or something else entirely?

January 11 - This is your life

If you could read a book containing all that has happened and will ever happen in your life, would you? If you choose to read it, you must read it cover to cover.

January 12 - Take two

Run outside. Take a picture of the first thing you see.  Run inside. Take a picture of the second thing you see. Write about the connection between these two random objects, people, or scenes.

January 13 - Clean slate

Explore the room you’re in as if you’re seeing it for the first time. Pretend you know nothing. What do you see?  Who is the person who lives there?

January 14 - Ripped from the headlines

Head to your favorite online news source. Pick an article with a headline that grabs you. Now, write a short story based on the article.

January 15 - Polite company

“It’s never a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don’t really know.” Agree or disagree?

January 16 - Toot your horn

Most of us are excellent at being self-deprecating, and are not so good at the opposite. Tell us your favorite thing about yourself.

Writing Prompts

In July 2017 my blog was in a need of a revival, so I found writing prompts to get me back in a groove.  I forgot how helpful they can be!   As I did back then, my goal is to write a minimum of three times a week.  Here are the prompts for January, they look pretty interesting!  To my blogging friends, feel free to join me.

January 1 - Stroke of Midnight

Where were you last night when 2013 turned into 2014? Is that where you’d wanted to be?

January 2 - Resolved

Have you ever made a New Year’s Resolution that you kept?

January 3 - Kick it

What’s the 11th item on your bucket list?

January 4 - Quote me

Do you have a favorite quote that you return to again and again? What is it, and why does it move you?

January 5 - Call Me Ishmael

Take the first sentence from your favorite book and make it the first sentence of your post.

January 6 - My favorite

What’s the most time you’ve ever spent apart from your favorite person? Tell us about it.

January 7 - Helpless

Helplessness:  that dull, sick feeling of not being the one at the reins. When did you last feel like that–-and what did you do about it?

January 8 - Teacher’s pet

Tell us about a teacher who had a real impact on your life, either for the better or the worse. How is your life different today because of him or her?

January 9 - 1984 

You’re locked in a room with your greatest fear. Describe what’s in the room.

January 10 - 32 flavors

Vanilla, chocolate, or something else entirely?

January 11 - This is your life

If you could read a book containing all that has happened and will ever happen in your life, would you? If you choose to read it, you must read it cover to cover.

January 12 - Take two

Run outside. Take a picture of the first thing you see.  Run inside. Take a picture of the second thing you see. Write about the connection between these two random objects, people, or scenes.

January 13 - Clean slate

Explore the room you’re in as if you’re seeing it for the first time. Pretend you know nothing. What do you see?  Who is the person who lives there?

January 14 - Ripped from the headlines

Head to your favorite online news source. Pick an article with a headline that grabs you. Now, write a short story based on the article.

January 15 - Polite company

“It’s never a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don’t really know.” Agree or disagree?

January 16 - Toot your horn

Most of us are excellent at being self-deprecating, and are not so good at the opposite. Tell us your favorite thing about yourself.

January 17 - In a crisis

Honestly evaluate the way you respond to crisis situations. Are you happy with the way you react?

January 18 - Free association

Write down the first words that comes to mind when we say...home...soil...rain. Use those words in the title of your post.

January 19 - Apply yourself

Describe your last attempt to learn something that did not come easily to you.

January 20 - Breaking the law

Think about the last time you broke a rule (a big one, not just ripping the tags off your pillows).  Were you burned, or did things turn out for the best?

January 21 - Sweet sixteen

When you were 16, what did you think your life would look like? Does it look like that? Is that a good thing?

January 22 - I got skills 

If you could choose to be a master (or mistress) of any skill in the world, which skill would you pick?

January 23 - Shipwrecked 

Read the story of Richard Parker and Tom Dudley. Is what Dudley did defensible? What would you have done?

January 24 - Ready, set, go 

Set a timer for ten minutes. Open a new post. Start the timer, and start writing. When the timer goes off, publish.

January 25 - Dearly departed

Write your own eulogy.

January 26 - Musical

What role does music play in your life?

January 27 - Sliced bread

Most of us have heard the saying,“That’s the best thing since sliced bread!” What do you think is actually the best thing since sliced bread?

January 28 - Ode to a playground

A place from your past or childhood, one that you’re fond of, is destroyed. Write it a memorial.

January 29 - Through the window

Go to the nearest window.  Look out for a full minute.Write about what you saw.

January 30 - Burning down the house

Your home is on fire.  Grab five items (assume all people and animals are safe). What did you grab?

January 31 - Burnt

Remember yesterday, when your home was on fire and you got to save five items?  That means you left a lot of stuff behind. What are the things you wish you could have taken,but had to leave behind?

Writing Prompts October 29-31

October 29 - First
Tell us about your first day at something — your first day of school, first day of work, first day living on your own, first day blogging, first day as a parent, whatever.

October 30 - Free to be me
What’s the character trait you admire the most about yourself?

October 31 - Halloweeny!
If bloggers had their own Halloween and could go from blog to blog collecting “treats,” what would your blog hand out?

Writing Prompts October 22-28

October 22 - Sad but true
Tell us about the harshest, most difficult to hear — but accurate — criticism you’ve ever gotten. Does it still apply?

October 23 - As seen on T.V.
Write a script for a late-night infomercial — where the product is your blog. How do you market yourself? What qualities do you embody that other “products” don’t? What are the benefits of reading your blog?

October 24 - Express yourself
Tell us about a time you couldn’t quite get your words or images to express what you wanted to express. What do you think the barrier was? For bonus points, try again.

October 25 - Simply the best
NASA is building a new Voyager spacecraft that will carry the best of modern human culture. What belongs onboard?

October 26 - Breakdown
Tell us about a habit you’d like to break. Is there any way it can play a positive role in your life?

October 27 - The golden hour
6:00AM: the best hour of the day, or too close to your 3:00AM bedtime?

October 28 - Seven wonders
Khalil Gibran once said that people will never understand one another unless language is reduced to seven words. What would your seven words be?

Writing Prompts October 15-21

October 15 - Childlike
Explain your biggest regret — as though to a small child.

October 16 - Honorific
October 16th is officially declared “Person X Day” — and you get to pick Person X. Tell us about someone who deserves to be commemorated.

October 17 - Community service
Your entire community — however you define that; your hometown, your neighborhood, your family, your colleagues — is guaranteed to read your blog tomorrow. Write the post you’d like them all to see.

October 18 - Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
You get some incredibly, amazingly, wonderfully fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?

October 19 - Home sweet home
When you’re away from home, what person, thing, or place do you miss the most?

October 20 - Release me
Tell us about the blog post you were most nervous to publish — and what it was like to set it free.

October 21 - Blank is the new blank
Click over to your favorite blog, and pick out the 4th and 14th words (that aren’t “the” or “an”). Drop them into this phrase: “_____ is the new _____.” There’s your post title. Now write!

Writing Prompts October 8-14

October 8 - Bloggers, unplugged
Sometimes, we all need a break from these little glowing boxes. How do you know when it’s time to unplug? What do you do to make it happen?

October 9 - Can’t get enough
Have you ever been addicted to anything, or worried that you were? Have you ever spent too much time and effort on something that was a distraction from your real goals? Tell us about it.

October 10 - Fright night
Do you like being scared by books, films, and surprises? Describe the sensation of being scared, and why you love it — or don’t.

October 11 - Mid-season replacement
For many of us the seasons are changing, bouncing unpredictably between cold and warm. Are you glad to be moving into a new season, or wishing for one more week of the old?

October 12 - Blogger in a strange land
What’s the strangest place from which you’ve posted to your blog? When was the last time you were out and about, and suddenly thought, “I need to write about this!”?

October 13 - Michelangelo’s YOU
Your personal sculptor is carving a person, thing, or event from the last month of your life into the glistening marble of immortality. What’s the statue and what makes it so significant?

October 14 - Imitation / flattery
Write a post in the style of (or simply inspired by) a favorite author.

October Writing Prompts

Can you believe we are in the final quarter of 2017?  This is always the busiest time for most of us. Personally our calendar is filling up quickly but I still want to keep blogging.  I may not need as many prompts since I prefer writing about what's happening, but for those quiet days here are the prompts for this month.

October 1 - Fearful symmetry
Pick a letter, any letter. Now, write a story, poem, or post in which every line starts with that letter.

October 2 - Reading material
How do you pick what blogs or books to read? What’s the  one thing that will get you to pick up a book or click on a link every single time?

October 3 - New internet order
All the world’s countries have decided that the Internet itself needs a government. Your country asks you to run for Prime Minister of the ‘Net — do you accept? If so, what will your platform be?

October 4 - The clothes that (may) make the (wo)man
How important are clothes to you? Describe your style, if you have one, and tell us how appearance impacts how you feel about yourself.

October 5 - Eye of the beholder
Describe what it feels like to hear a beautiful piece of music or see a stunning piece of art.

October 6 - Mixtape masterpiece
You make a new friend. Make them a mix tape (or playlist, for the younger folks) that tells them who you are through song.

October 7 - Exhale
Tell us about a time when everything seemed to be going wrong — and then, suddenly, you knew it would be alright.

October 8 - Bloggers, unplugged
Sometimes, we all need a break from these little glowing boxes. How do you know when it’s time to unplug? What do you do to make it happen?

October 9 - Can’t get enough
Have you ever been addicted to anything, or worried that you were? Have you ever spent too much time and effort on something that was a distraction from your real goals? Tell us about it.

October 10 - Fright night
Do you like being scared by books, films, and surprises? Describe the sensation of being scared, and why you love it — or don’t.

October 11 - Mid-season replacement
For many of us the seasons are changing, bouncing unpredictably between cold and warm. Are you glad to be moving into a new season, or wishing for one more week of the old?

October 12 - Blogger in a strange land
What’s the strangest place from which you’ve posted to your blog? When was the last time you were out and about, and suddenly thought, “I need to write about this!”?

October 13 - Michelangelo’s YOU
Your personal sculptor is carving a person, thing, or event from the last month of your life into the glistening marble of immortality. What’s the statue and what makes it so significant?

October 14 - Imitation / flattery
Write a post in the style of (or simply inspired by) a favorite author.

October 15 - Childlike
Explain your biggest regret — as though to a small child.

October 16 - Honorific
October 16th is officially declared “Person X Day” — and you get to pick Person X. Tell us about someone who deserves to be commemorated.

October 17 - Community service
Your entire community — however you define that; your hometown, your neighborhood, your family, your colleagues — is guaranteed to read your blog tomorrow. Write the post you’d like them all to see.

October 18 - Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
You get some incredibly, amazingly, wonderfully fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?

October 19 - Home sweet home
When you’re away from home, what person, thing, or place do you miss the most?

October 20 - Release me
Tell us about the blog post you were most nervous to publish — and what it was like to set it free.

October 21 - Blank is the new blank
Click over to your favorite blog, and pick out the 4th and 14th words (that aren’t “the” or “an”). Drop them into this phrase: “_____ is the new _____.” There’s your post title. Now write!

October 22 - Sad but true
Tell us about the harshest, most difficult to hear — but accurate — criticism you’ve ever gotten. Does it still apply?

October 23 - As seen on T.V.
Write a script for a late-night infomercial — where the product is your blog. How do you market yourself? What qualities do you embody that other “products” don’t? What are the benefits of reading your blog?

October 24 - Express yourself
Tell us about a time you couldn’t quite get your words or images to express what you wanted to express. What do you think the barrier was? For bonus points, try again.

October 25 - Simply the best
NASA is building a new Voyager spacecraft that will carry the best of modern human culture. What belongs onboard?

October 26 - Breakdown
Tell us about a habit you’d like to break. Is there any way it can play a positive role in your life?

October 27 - The golden hour
6:00AM: the best hour of the day, or too close to your 3:00AM bedtime?

October 28 - Seven wonders
Khalil Gibran once said that people will never understand one another unless language is reduced to seven words. What would your seven words be?

October 29 - First
Tell us about your first day at something — your first day of school, first day of work, first day living on your own, first day blogging, first day as a parent, whatever.

October 30 - Free to be me
What’s the character trait you admire the most about yourself?

October 31 - Halloweeny!
If bloggers had their own Halloween and could go from blog to blog collecting “treats,” what would your blog hand out?

Writing Prompts September 24-30

September 24 - Standstill
For a moment today, time stands still — but you can tweak one thing while it’s stopped. What do you do?
September 25 - Celebrate good times
You receive some wonderful, improbable, hoped-for good news. How do you celebrate?
September 26 - 2100
The language of the future: what will it be like? Write an experimental post using some imagined vocabulary — abbreviations, slang, new terms.
September 27 - A bend in time
When you’re giddy with excitement, does time speed up? Slow down? Tell us about the experience of anticipation.
September 28 - Ebb and flow
Our blogs morph over time, as interests shift and life happens. Write a post for your blog — but three years in the future.
September 29 - Cleaning house
Is there “junk” in your life? What kind? How do you get rid of it?
September 30 - On the road
If you could pause real life and spend some time living with a family anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Writing Prompts September 17-23

September 17 - The cat says meow
Write a story about yourself from the perspective of an object, thing, animal, or another person.
September 18 - Naked, with black socks
Are you comfortable in front of people, or does the idea of public speaking make you want to hide in the bathroom? Why?
September 19 - Are you being served?
What’s the most dreadful (or wonderful) experience you’ve ever had as a customer?
September 20 - No fair
Tell us about something you think is terribly unfair — and explain how you would rectify it.
September 21 - We can be taught!
What makes a teacher great?
September 22 - Practice makes perfect
Tell us about a talent you’d love to have…but don’t.
September 23 - Non sequitur
Write a post about anything you’d like, but be sure to include this sentence somewhere in the final paragraph: “He tried to hit me with a forklift!”

Writing Prompts September 10-16

September 10 - Six of one, half-a-dozen of the other
Write a six-word story about what you think the future holds for you, and then expand on it in a post.
September 11 - Thank you
The internet is full of rants. Help tip the balance: today, simply be thankful for something (or someone).
September 12 - Toy story
What was your favorite plaything as a child? Do you see any connection between your life now, and your favorite childhood toy?
September 13 - Snark bombs, away!
Try your hand at parody or satire — take an article, film, blog post, or song you find misguided, and use humor to show us how.
September 14 - Bookworms
Grab the nearest book. Open it and go to the tenth word. Do a Google Image Search of the word. Write about what the image brings to mind.
September 15 - Sorry, I’m busy
Tell us about a time when you should have helped someone… but didn’t.
September 16 - Super sensitive
If you were forced to give up one sense, but gain super-sensitivity in another, which senses would you choose?

Writing Prompts September 3-9

September 3 - Blogger with a cause
If your day to day responsibilities were taken care of and you could throw yourself completely behind a cause, what would it be?
September 4 - I am a rock
Is it easy for you to ask for help when you need it, or do you prefer to rely only on yourself? Why?
September 5 - Imagine all the people
The next time you’re in a public place — a coffeehouse, a park, a store — observe the people around you. Pick a person, a couple, or a group, and imagine what their lives might be like.
September 6 - Regrets, I’ve had a few
What’s your biggest regret? How would your life have been different if you’d made another decision?
September 7 - Luxurious
What’s the one luxury you can’t live without?
September 8 - The excitement never ends
Tell us about the last thing you got excited about — butterflies-in-the-stomach, giggling, can’t-wait excited.
September 9 - What a twist
Tell us a story — fiction or non-fiction — with a twist we can’t see coming.

A Little Sneaky

Are writing prompts a useful exercise, or do you find them to be too limiting and/or hokey? 

I thought this writing prompt was perfect for the last day of the month.  I have found them to be very helpful to get back to writing on a more regular basis.  Of course some of them were a bit hokey, but I never planned to use every prompt so it worked well for me.

I've decided to continue using the prompts for another month.  Here are the prompts for the entire month of September - there are some interesting prompts in the mix!  I'll post a week's worth each Saturday like before.

September 1 - Groundhog day
In the comedy “Groundhog Day” Bill Murray experienced the same day again and again, stuck in a time loop until he got the day “right.” What day would you choose to repeat until you got it right? Do you think it’s ever possible to get life “right”?
September 2 - Name that…you!
Do you know the meaning of your name, and why your parents chose it? Do you think it suits you? What about your children’s names?
September 3 - Blogger with a cause
If your day to day responsibilities were taken care of and you could throw yourself completely behind a cause, what would it be?
September 4 - I am a rock
Is it easy for you to ask for help when you need it, or do you prefer to rely only on yourself? Why?
September 5 - Imagine all the people
The next time you’re in a public place — a coffeehouse, a park, a store — observe the people around you. Pick a person, a couple, or a group, and imagine what their lives might be like.
September 6 - Regrets, I’ve had a few
What’s your biggest regret? How would your life have been different if you’d made another decision?
September 7 - Luxurious
What’s the one luxury you can’t live without?
September 8 - The excitement never ends
Tell us about the last thing you got excited about — butterflies-in-the-stomach, giggling, can’t-wait excited.
September 9 - What a twist
Tell us a story — fiction or non-fiction — with a twist we can’t see coming.
September 10 - Six of one, half-a-dozen of the other
Write a six-word story about what you think the future holds for you, and then expand on it in a post.
September 11 - Thank you
The internet is full of rants. Help tip the balance: today, simply be thankful for something (or someone).
September 12 - Toy story
What was your favorite plaything as a child? Do you see any connection between your life now, and your favorite childhood toy?
September 13 - Snark bombs, away!
Try your hand at parody or satire — take an article, film, blog post, or song you find misguided, and use humor to show us how.
September 14 - Bookworms
Grab the nearest book. Open it and go to the tenth word. Do a Google Image Search of the word. Write about what the image brings to mind.
September 15 - Sorry, I’m busy
Tell us about a time when you should have helped someone… but didn’t.
September 16 - Super sensitive
If you were forced to give up one sense, but gain super-sensitivity in another, which senses would you choose?
September 17 - The cat says meow
Write a story about yourself from the perspective of an object, thing, animal, or another person.
September 18 - Naked, with black socks
Are you comfortable in front of people, or does the idea of public speaking make you want to hide in the bathroom? Why?
September 19 - Are you being served?
What’s the most dreadful (or wonderful) experience you’ve ever had as a customer?
September 20 - No fair
Tell us about something you think is terribly unfair — and explain how you would rectify it.
September 21 - We can be taught!
What makes a teacher great?
September 22 - Practice makes perfect
Tell us about a talent you’d love to have…but don’t.
September 23 - Non sequitur
Write a post about anything you’d like, but be sure to include this sentence somewhere in the final paragraph: “He tried to hit me with a forklift!”
September 24 - Standstill
For a moment today, time stands still — but you can tweak one thing while it’s stopped. What do you do?
September 25 - Celebrate good times
You receive some wonderful, improbable, hoped-for good news. How do you celebrate?
September 26 - 2100
The language of the future: what will it be like? Write an experimental post using some imagined vocabulary — abbreviations, slang, new terms.
September 27 - A bend in time
When you’re giddy with excitement, does time speed up? Slow down? Tell us about the experience of anticipation.
September 28 - Ebb and flow
Our blogs morph over time, as interests shift and life happens. Write a post for your blog — but three years in the future.
September 29 - Cleaning house
Is there “junk” in your life? What kind? How do you get rid of it?
September 30 - On the road
If you could pause real life and spend some time living with a family anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Writing Prompts August 27-31

August 27 -I’d like to thank my cats

You are receiving an award –- either one that already exists, or a new one created just for you. What would the award be, why are you being honored, and what would you say in your acceptance speech?

August 28  -Ready for your close-up

Cast the movie of your life.

August 29 -I can’t drive 55

Take the third line of the last song you heard, make it your post title, and write for a maximum of 15 minutes. GO!

August 30  -A little sneaky

Are writing prompts a useful exercise, or do you find them to be too limiting and/or hokey?

August 31 -I pledge allegiance

Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?

Writing Prompts August 20-26

August 20 -The full moon

When the full moon happens, you turn into a person who’s the opposite of who you normally are. Describe this new you.

August 21 -Fifteen credits

Another school semester will soon begin. If you’re in school, are you looking forward to starting classes? If you’re out of school, what do you miss about it — or are you glad those days are over?

August 22 -Viral

The New York Times is going to feature your blog on its home page, and you’ve been asked to publish a new post — it’ll be the first thing tens of thousands of new readers see. Write it.

August 23 -Pants on fire

What was the last lie you told? Why did you tell it?

August 24 -These boots were made for walkin’

Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.

August 25 -Secret of success

What would it take for you to consider yourself a “successful blogger”? Is that something you strive for?

August 26 -Funny ha-ha

Do you consider yourself funny? What role does humor play in your life? Who’s the funniest person you know?

Writing Prompts August 13-19

August 13  -Drawing the line

Can anything be funny, or are some things off limits?

August 14 -Mirror, mirror, on the wall…

Think of your blog as a mirror: what does it reveal? Consider your blog name, theme choice, design, bio, posts… what does every element tell you about yourself?

August 15 -Freaky Friday

You experience your own Freaky Friday, and switch bodies with someone you love/hate. Tell us what happens.

August 16 -Standout

When was the last time you really stood out in a crowd? Are you comfortable in that position, or do you wish you could fade into the woodwork?

August 17 -Three-tenths

Scribble down the first ten words that come to mind. Pick three of them. There’s your post title. Now write!

August 18 -Procrastination

What have you been putting off doing? Why?

August 19 -On the edge

We all have things as need to do to keep an even keel —blogging, exercising, reading, cooking. What’s yours?

Writing Prompts August 6-12

It's time for week two - here we go!

August 6 -Everything changes

Walking down the street, you encounter a folded piece of paper on the sidewalk. You pick it up and read it and immediately, your life has changed. Describe this experience.

August 7 -Never again

Have you ever gone to a new place or tried a new experience and thought to yourself, “I’m never doing that again!” Tell us about it.

August 8 -(YAWN)

What bores you?

August 9 -Smell you later

Humans have very strong scent memory. Tell us about a smell that transports you.

August 10 -Moved to tears

Describe the last time you were moved to tears by something beautiful.

August 11 -P.C.

Is political correctness a useful concept, or does it stifle honest discussion?

August 12 -Life line

You’re on a long flight, and a palm reader sitting next to you insists she reads your palm. You hesitate, but agree. What does she tell you?