Busy times here in the Forest!! I watched the Pitt/Arizona game last night while answering email, and was a little bummed at halftime, because OfficeMouse (aka Daughter #3) and I had arranged a halftime phone call to go over the first half of the game. And she didn’t call. But, I know…. she’s all grown up now…. living her own life…….. about to start her teaching career…….. and she lives almost six hours away…..has better things to do that than talk football with her old Mom…….who really misses her….
So yeah, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself.
That’s when the OfficeMouse and her boyfriend Perceptor walked in. A surprise visit for the weekend.
There was much rejoicing in the Forest!!!
But there is still writing to do.
Ready…
Today’s advice: This is what Joyce Carol Oates says: "I have forced myself to begin writing when I’ve been utterly exhausted, when I’ve felt my soul as thin as a playing card, when nothing has seemed worth enduring for another five minutes . . . and somehow the activity of writing changes everything. Or appears to do so."
Set…
Today’s prompt: Do NOT scroll down to read Part 2 of this prompt yet!!.
Part 1 – Write the next scene in your WIP or, if you are in-between projects, write about what you did yesterday. Write enough to fill a page or so.
Got that done? Excellent! NOW you can scroll down…..
Keep scrolling…..
Yes, I know it’s hot. It’s August…..
If I’m trying not to whine, you can too. Almost there….
Part 2 – You made it without melting! Good job! Take your one-page scene and introduce the most unexpected character in the world into it. How is your character going to react? If you find that the introduction of this character does not jolt your main character into an unanticipated response, keep raising the stakes. The goal is for YOU to learn someone new about your character.
Scribble…Scribble….Scribble!
Oh gosh I love these posts, but WFMAD totally conflicts with my first writing break in months! So I’m making myself not read your prompts, so I can go back to them once my writing break is over 🙂
I have to admit, I fell off the WFMAD wagon this week–but I was at SCBWI (what a great conference–and Wintergirls was mentioned more than once as a book that can change lives) and then at the RAs’ retreat afterward. But now that I’m back home, I’m back to 15 minutes a day at least, with all kinds of new inspiration for my writing.
This prompt is my favorite of all. I wrote three pages instead of one, and the surprise was the best kind–I was surprised, as well.
Wrote two pages and am going to tackle part two when my kids don’t need me. Thank you so much for this! Really got the juices trickling, then flowing. In your suggested part one, my character made a small leap. Now, with part two, I fear and know that this new person is going to threaten the needed stride she’s made. Oh, how maniacal I feel! I hate to have to thrust a pin through her heart, but I’m thinking it’s a necessary step in this metaphorical writing voodoo.
(SCBWI 2010!)
Again, just the prompt I needed for the next time I pick up my wip (tomorrow morning). Now I know why I was spinning my wheels about this next scene.
What a wonderful prompt that once again, I failed to use. Oops.
I almost–but only almost–bought Wintergirls today. In the end, I put it back on the shelf after reading two pages in the middle. Too close to home still. I was kind of proud of myself, though. I did something positive for my health–too bad it means not reading what seems to be a wonderful story by one of my favourite authors!
I did love the quote before today’s prompt, though. I was considering not doing my fifteen, making the excuse that I had a long day, was tired, etc. etc. But in the end, those words inspired me. Not the greatest work I’ve produced, but another 800 words further in the story.
Uh-oh. I’ve done every day….but I feel that I am about to encounter the BIG STUCK on my WIP this weekend……..am fearful…..
Shelley
I just wanted to thank you for these prompts! I haven’t used all of them, but they’ve really SAVED me on days when I was so exhausted/stressed/tired/did NOT want to write and had no creative ideas. I am proud of myself for making it every single day so far. Thank you so much for doing this challenge! I’ve felt free and liberated to start a new story every night, if I want to, instead of forcing myself to try to finish something. And I’ve stumbled upon some good nuggets of ideas…