Quantcast
Channel: Margo Roby: Wordgathering » 1Sojournal

Thursday Thoughts: Pay it Forward

0
0

8:37 a.m.–Atlanta

Dear readers, if you were with me last week you know that I am giving you a continued break from my conversation on words to avoid, but have no fear; we shall return to the list next Thursday. We are almost all the way through and can turn our sights in new directions.

microsoft clipart

This week I must fulfill my obligations as a nominee for the Versatile Blogger, as there are laws. This will be a long one so you may want to grab a cup of coffee, turn on some music, or read it in parts.You would not believe how difficult it is to come up with seven random facts about myself. Facts, yes; but what makes one random over another? I decided to wait until I sat at my keyboard and throw out exactly what surfaces in my brain:

1. I speak, read and write Greek. Useful when I lived there, not so much now.
2. Between the ages of 38 and 45, I became a teacher; discovered I can sing; found that while I am phobic about public speaking, I adore acting and became a lead actor in Jakarta’s play group; and started writing poetry. All these came about through moments of serendipity.
3.I love any kind of sausage.
4. I would love to have a borzoi, but will settle happily for a pug. No, they could not be more different.
5. My husband gave me a pistol for a wedding present; I gave him a cut glass decanter. Thirty-nine years later we are still happily married.
6. I hate shoes, or much of anything, on my feet. If I could, I would walk barefoot always.
7. I have a love-hate relationship with technology.

Whew! Next, and this was no easier, I am supposed to nominate fifteen blogs for the Versatile Blogger award. Do you know how difficult that is? The Rag Tree does, as do many other worthy past recipients. I mentioned before that my first choice would be Eric Quinn of The Rag Tree who embodies versatility, but he just received the award and is my nominator. Rats!

It’s not that there are not many good blogs which I read and enjoy; it’s the word versatile. But, my training saved me. I looked up versatile. Some of the lesser known meanings are to be engaged in something, resourceful, turning over in the mind…I can work with that! But I don’t think I will reach fifteen…

My first nominee is Put Words Together. Make Meaning. Donna Vorreyer and her blog answer to all the meanings of versatile, both greater and lesser. Many of you know her through The Poetry Tow Truck that I post every Friday for its prompt. Her prompts are one of three sites I look forward to with anticipation each week. The prompts are thoughtful, interesting and fun. Beyond that, Donna writes stunning poetry and never minds sharing it while still in draft form. I have learned much that helps my own writing, by reading her poetry. And I enjoy the personal parts of her life that she shares occasionally and always with humour and grace.

My next nominee keeps three blogs that I know of. You can find Elizabeth Crawford at 1Sojounal where she invites us to play along with her in finding and using new words; Unraveling, where she shares her photography and the process of her turning the photographs into a different art form; and Soul’s Music, where she posts her poetry. All are worth exploring and, indeed, I want to go back and play with the new words…

Jessie Carty is my next nominee. I am not sure I have ever met anyone with the energy and passion Jessie has. Every second of her life is filled with doing. Her blog offers several attractions: On Mondays, Jessie runs a small group MFA type program; Tuesdays are shoutouts and can lead to new people and places; Wednesdays are reserved for writing about writing; Thursdays are for poem shares; and Fridays Jessie usually gives a status report on her submissions, and I don’t think there is a genre Jessie does not submit work to.

Poets United is the brain child of  Robert Lloyd and is more than a blog. It is a community of writers. There are different functions for each day of the week, such as interviews with members, sharing favourite poets and poems, prompts, blog of the week, poem of the week, and a day for posting member poems. Everything revolves around and is generated for and by members. Earlier this year Robert’s passion to support other poets led to an anthology by the members of Poets United. And, his passion is infectious. If you don’t know the group, stop by and look.

Everyone still with me? I’m exhausted. My thought is to nominate one more and then take a break from this part of the process and come back to it in a couple of weeks. What’s that? You all agree. Well, who am I to gainsay my readers.

OCAL

This fifth one may not be for everyone and comes under the definition engaged in something. But for all you coffee lovers, this is your blog. Their mission at Coffee | Served Daily, is to document 1000 cups of coffee. They think they will hit 500 in June. On their site you can link to each of the cups of coffee photographed and posted to them by many coffee drinkers and you, too, can become one of them. How can you resist?

Now I am going to get a real cup of coffee. If you think someone will like this post, click the buttons below. I shall see you tomorrow for the week’s roundup of prompts, Tuesday for cascade poems and Thursday for more words to avoid [you know you miss them]. Happy writing.



Friday Freeforall: And So We Begin… Again

0
0

7:41 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Both Sides Now with Judy Collins

HELLO! Yes, I am excited to be back with you. New followers, welcome. I hope everyone had a relaxing and relatively peaceful holiday. Everyone ready? I’ll chat more next Tuesday, or Thursday. For now, let’s go. As always, Donna opens:

Well. I stopped to read the poem Donna features at The Poetry Mixtape: ‘The River Confesses,’ by Carol Berg, and was so taken with it and the premise of her chapbook, Ophelia Unraveling, that I stopped to order a copy. Head over to read the poem and to see what Donna suggests we try.

I can see this will be one of those days when I take four hours to write this. I arrived at Joseph’s blog, naming constellations, to be reminded that he starts his new format tomorrow. I had to race over to my poems folder and ship off the poem I hope he critiques, at some point. For the final Reverie of the year and Joseph’s putting forth his idea for the coming year, head over. What he says about one’s writing improving with the taking apart of others’ poetry is true. I envy him the year, but we will learn so much by following along.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele tells us, you’ll need to think about your past, present, and future Christmases, Chanukahs, Kwanzaas, or other annual winter-season celebrations. Head over. Remember that Adele is always a good source for poems to read, even if a prompt doesn’t jumpstart your mind.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda brought us words, despite the flu. I am considering a sit-in with myself to get a poem done for Sunday [although it’s last week’s words I want!]. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At Carry On Tuesday,  Keith has chosen a great line, both for the end of one year and the beginning of another, from George Bernard Shaw. Go on over to view the line and a link to the poem from which it comes.

Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Look around while you are there. Although I don’t write limericks [the time, Madeleine, the time], I love their cleverness and the word play involved in successful ones. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Visit Magpie Tales for our first image prompt, a photograph, by R.A.D. Stainforth. I can tell people are still on holiday; only 63 people have written, a low for The Mag. Or, people might not know how to respond to this particular image.Remember a couple of things: you can be metaphorical; and you may write about only part of the picture, for example, the ashes. Head over.

At Poetry Jam, Mary gives us candles and several directions in which we might go. Visit to see what she suggests.

Elizabeth, 1sojournal, like Joseph, is shifting in direction, so, while not a prompt, is still an important place to go and read. She says of her new posts, I found the very beginnings of my own story as a serious writer. Discovered me, making notes about finding my own path for the next twenty years. The things that worked, and the ones that didn’t… I intend to continue reading, but also intend to share more of these bits and pieces. Many of them contain the first thoughts and ideas that became the articles on this blog. I believe they contain that first eye opening energy of the beginner, that one who has finally grasped a much wider concept than she has allowed herself in the past. It’s an energy I wish to share.

At Carol’s blog, Light Words, the photograph and accompanying words provide material for a prompt, although this is not Carol’s regular prompt. We do get a bonus. Should you be interested in meditation, either to do, or as a prompt in itself, read the rest of the post. Visit.

At imaginary garden with real toads, Mary’s Mixed Bag presents us with windows, a topic I never tire of. Head over to read what she says and to look around. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems presents us a bit of fun with their first prompt of the year [which is not to say the poem written cannot be serious]. Check out their tangent from a wordle. Also, if you missed it, read the previous post where we were asked to talk about books that had an impact on [y]our sense of writing.

At dVerse, we are trying a form, the lune, both types. An American take on a haiku, one is syllabic and the other counts words. They are small and fun, so take several bites. Visit. Wander around. Stay awhile; it’s such a friendly place. Champagne all round.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author: Weekend Haiku & Limericks gives us a choice of  any topic discussed on her blog in the past week, as well as the comments, for a possible source. Her topics are always focused on an aspect of nature. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a new tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites. The sites won’t always be up-to-date, but the links will get you there.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

I shall see you Tuesday for a prompt [I know, vague]; Thursday for a topic, hitherto unpicked [so if anyone has something they want me to discuss, discover, explain, let me know at: margoroby@gmail.com]; and next Friday for the usual.

I’m so glad to be back with you. Happy writing, everyone.


Friday Freeforall: Everyone Buckled In?

0
0

8:00 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Ka Pua U’i with Iz

Hi, everyone. Two weeks into the year and I’m exhausted! And, there are fifty to go. Let’s distract ourselves. Donna Vorreyer, who has been my lead-off for two years [since the blog started], is giving herself a break and turning her wonderful mind to new discoveries. The thought of beginning without her is rather like the thought of turning up naked to a party. With your indulgence, I shall continue to begin with her, bringing back old posts and mixing them with new.

tow-truck1We head back into the depths, back to Donna’s Poetry Tow Truck and a prompt that asks us to watch television. See. Already you like it. The exercise needs pen and paper and a show you don’t want to concentrate on except for what is asked. Intrigued? I can hear a rustle of familiarity among tow truck followers. Go on over.

More changes. Joseph Harker has started his new shtick [what! it’s early — I can’t think of the word I want] and I am pleased to have one of my poems be the first. In The Refinery, Joseph takes us through a poem and discusses three things that don’t work for him, three things that do, and for both, why. Then he has bits and bobs. One of the best ways to revise our own poetry is to revise someone else’s. Or, if revision is not a strength, to watch someone going through a poem. Go over for a look and consider sending in one of your poems.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele suggests we think about the old and the new and the ways in which they become interchangeable. She has some fun and fascinating suggestions for directions we can take. You may have to write more than one poem. Visit.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda brings us words from the Facebook status of several friends. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At Carry On Tuesday,  Keith has chosen  the opening lines of a [The] Beatles 1963 album. Yes, I did pause a moment from this to listen to it. You know me too well. Go on over to view the line and a link to the song from which it comes. You might wait until after you have written your poem.

Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Look around while you are there. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Visit Magpie Tales for our first image prompt, a photograph by Daniel Murtagh. The composition is such that I found myself having to study the portrait for some time. It reminds me of the work of portraitists such as John Singer Sargent. Head over.

At Poetry Jam, Peggy has a new take on a new year’s poem that involves leaving something behind. Go on over to see what she says and to look at her gorgeous photo of a sunset.

Elizabeth, of 1sojournal, like Joseph, has shifted in direction, so, while not a prompt, is still an important place to go and read. She says of her new posts, I found the very beginnings of my own story as a serious writer. Discovered me, making notes about finding my own path for the next twenty years. The things that worked, and the ones that didn’t… I believe they contain that first eye-opening energy of the beginner, that one who has finally grasped a much wider concept than she has allowed herself in the past. It’s an energy I wish to share.

At Carol’s blog, Light Words, we have the first Wonder Wednesday of the year. The photograph and accompanying words provide material for a prompt. The colours in the photograph are gorgeously rich and I am intrigued by the textural quality of the ground. Visit.

At imaginary garden with real toads, I chose Ella’s Edge for this week, as it will be her last prompt for the garden. Head over to read what she says about the power of wow and to look around. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems challenges us with its opening sentence, It strikes me, dear poets, that we invent a lot. Go find out what that’s all about.

At dVerse’s Meeting the Bar, Victoria talks about the Marshall McLuhan quote “The medium is the message” [Sounds like form = content, doesn’t it?]. Then she asks us to write an imagist poem that has an embedded message about whatever… Visit to see what she says and to read Tennyson’s poem, ‘The Kraken’. Wander around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author: Weekend Haiku & Limericks gives us a choice of  any topic discussed on her blog in the past week, as well as the comments, for a possible source. Can you resist the thought of a limerick on tailed frogs? Her topics focus on aspects of nature. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a new tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites. The sites won’t always be up-to-date, but the links will get you there.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

I shall see you Tuesday for a prompt [still vague]; Thursday for Part 2 of the state of the blog where I will briefly [for me] layout Thursdays and Fridays; and next Friday for the usual.

Happy writing, everyone.


Friday Freeforall: A Free Day Weekend

0
0

7:57 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Ain’t That a Kick in the Head with Robbie Williams [My God, he’s good]

Whoo hoo, blue sky and sunshine! We haven’t seen the sun in weeks. Hi, everyone. To those of you under snow, or not such fun weather, I am sorry. My brother in Bagram swears a polar bear strolled by the can he lives in [yes, can, a giant tin round thing]. Here we go:

tow-truck1Today, on Put Words Together. Make Meaning, Donna, who has her ‘first full-length collectionA House of Many Windows, scheduled to be published late in 2013 by Sundress Publications‘, answers ten questions to do with elements of the collection and the process. For any of us contemplating publishing, and those who are just curious, visit. Donna also gives us a writing opportunity on the previous post, to do with memory based on place. Check it out.

At ‘The Refinery,’ Joseph takes us through a poem by Barbara Young. This is quite something. I have been making notes all week for several poems I have in the revision process. One of the best ways to revise our own poetry is to revise someone else’s. Or, if revision is not a strength, to watch someone going through a poem. Go over for a look and consider sending in one of your poems.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele gives us bonuses on top of bonuses. The prompt is to do with mystery. Along with a full explanation of her thoughts, and suggestions for possible directions, and example poems, this week, she gives us some tips for writing with or about mystery. I find that almost all the tips apply to writing poetry, in general, so hop on over.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda brings us words from a poem by Charles Baudelaire. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done, as well as a link to Baudelaire’s poem.

At Carry On Tuesday,  Keith has chosen  a quote from Victor Hugo. It’s an interesting line to play with. Remember that you can break the line up. Go on over to view the line and a link to other quotes from Hugo.

Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. I love this week’s starter line. Look around while you are there. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt, a photograph by Vincent Fournier. Even if you don’t usually visit, the photo will startle a laugh from you, so go. I stopped for a few minutes to read what people had done with it. Head over.

At Poetry Jam, Mary puts us in the way of danger. Visit to read the prompt.

Elizabeth, of 1sojournal, says of her new posts, I found the very beginnings of my own story as a serious writer. Discovered me, making notes about finding my own path for the next twenty years. The things that worked, and the ones that didn’t… I believe they contain that first eye-opening energy of the beginner, that one who has finally grasped a much wider concept than she has allowed herself in the past. It’s an energy I wish to share.

At Carol’s blog, Light Words, this is one of those weeks when she has several posts that look fun. I am giving you the general address and you can scroll through to find your fit. Certainly, stop a moment and listen to Nilsson singing Put a Lime in the Coconut. It’s a giggle.

At imaginary garden with real toads, Hannah is back with ‘Transforming Friday‘. The point of Hannah’s exercises is to learn to speak as another thing, an animal, a tree, a body of water… mostly animals, while we learn a bit about one of the world’s ecoregions. She does all the work for us. All we have to do is write a poem from another point of view, than ours. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems challenges us to write about unexpected moments. I had one, when, as I read the prompt, my brain started without me. By the time it was through, I had a rough draft of a poem down on paper. Go read what Julie says about these unexpected moments.

At dVerse I have given you the general address, as this week’s Meeting the Bar has not been posted yet. Visit. Wander around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author: Weekend Haiku & Limericks gives us a choice of  any topic discussed on her blog in the past week, as well as the comments, for a possible source. I love this week’s nature quote. Her topics focus on aspects of nature. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a new tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites. The sites won’t always be up-to-date, but the links will get you there.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

I shall see you Tuesday for a prompt; Thursday for Your Serendipity; and next Friday for the usual.

Happy writing, everyone.


Friday Freeforall: Let’s Write

0
0

7:40 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Peaceful Easy Feeling with The Eagles — my music dates me, you say? Yes, but, what music!

Hello, everyone. I hope your week has been poetically productive, or at least relaxed, at the very least not filled with drama. Let us begin another weekful of prompts to write to, file, and spark ideas:

tow-truck1We begin with a pick from Donna’s Poetry Tow Truck archives. Our last visit involved TV; this one requires your mp3 player and shuffle mode. Those who listen to vinyl or CDs, despair not; toss them in the air… just find a way to pick randomly. The exercise involves the titles and is great fun. I remember spending some joyful hours with this prompt.

Having ‘pushed him over the edge’, at ‘The Refinery,’ Joseph takes us through a poem by Misky, a sestina for those who have not put a toe in that water yet. I am learning an incredible amount reading Joseph’s critiques, so send poems in, people. I want this to run for the next 49 weeks. One of the best ways to revise our own poetry is to revise someone else’s. Or, if revision is not a strength, to watch someone going through a poem. Go over for a look and consider sending in one of your poems.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele asks us to ‘look at times in our lives when we’ve been led by visionary ideals, impulses, spontaneity, or romantic notions‘. Combine this with Don Quixote and we have an interesting prompt that offers many paths. Adele’s posts offer so much that she should be a must stop. Visit.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda brings us words from ‘Lady Lazarus’, a poem by Sylvia Plath. I should have guessed given the words alone. She also provides a link to read the poem. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At Carry On Tuesday,  Keith has taken a line from Dickens’ story of Nicholas Nickleby. It’s an interesting line to play with. Remember that you can break the line up. Go on over to view the line and a link to information about the story, as well as the trailer for the movie. This is another one of those you might want to write first, look later.

Yes, I am smiling and that’s because I’m about to head for Madeleine’s blog. Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Look around while you are there. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt, a photograph. Hands are an endlessly fascinating topic, literally and metaphorically, You don’t have to write about these hands. They’re there to spark hand memories. Go look.

Whether you are a rule-breaker, or not, this week at Poetry Jam, Dani gives us permission to break the rules. In fact, she insists. While she lists possible topics, she also tells us to pick a form and then break its rules. Fun! Head over to read.

Elizabeth, of 1sojournal, says of her new posts, I found the very beginnings of my own story as a serious writer. Discovered me, making notes about finding my own path for the next twenty years. The things that worked, and the ones that didn’t… I believe they contain that first eye-opening energy of the beginner, that one who has finally grasped a much wider concept than she has allowed herself in the past. It’s an energy I wish to share.

At Carol’s blog, Light Words, she has been down with the flu, but has a post out with some great shots of turkeys. Visit to look them over and see if they spark an idea.

At imaginary garden with real toads, I didn’t even care what Kerry’s prompt was, the pictures were so gorgeous. It took me awhile to remember why I was over there and that you were waiting over here. Kerry’s Wednesday Challenge involves worldbuilding. Intriguing. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems asks that we ‘find something in your world that you see as beautiful and… ‘ but that is for you to find out. It’s a fascinating prompt, so get yourself over there.

At dVerse I am again giving you the general address, so you can wander. I recommend Anna Montgomery’s essay on creativity, which is also a prompt.You’ll find it at Meeting the Bar. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author: Weekend Haiku & Limericks gives us a choice of  any topic discussed on her blog in the past week, as well as the comments, for a possible source. Porcupines! Also, I love this week’s photograph at  nature quote. Her topics focus on aspects of nature. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a new tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites. The sites won’t always be up-to-date, in fact, rarely, but the links will get you there.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

I shall see you Tuesday for an image prompt; Thursday for Your Serendipity; and next Friday for the usual.

Happy writing, everyone.


Friday Freeforall: Ready, Set, Go

0
0

7:47 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Mama Told Me (Not to Come) by Three Dog Night

Hi, all. It has been a relatively quiet week here, although the weather continues its bi-polar up and down, good and not good. I’ve given up putting any season’s clothes away. Whether [heh heh] you will be out or in, this weekend, here are our prompts for this week.

Where was I? My son’s blog post just came in. As he writes a music blog, I stopped a moment to see what he has to say. I shall disappear periodically to listen to one of the groups from 2012, he is recommending. I surprise myself with what I like, sometimes.

tow-truck1We start with Donna’s Put Words Together. Make Meaning and a suggestion for writing a poem that involves noise and silence. To read what it is about, head over to Donna’s place.

The Refinery will/might have a new piece of ore to work tomorrow. I’m giving you Joseph’s general address to check. His blog is such good value, that zipping in for a quick check is no problem. If The Refinery isn’t up, pick an entry to read for pleasure. Keep sending poems in, people. I want this to run for the next 49 weeks. One of the best ways to revise our own poetry is to revise someone else’s. Or, if revision is not a strength, to watch someone going through a poem. Go over for a look and consider sending in one of your poems.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele wants us to consider the end of the world. Apocalyptic? Or, gradual fade? She has several fun suggestions. I was quite taken with the sixth, which asks for a weather report on the last day of the world. Adele’s posts offer so much that she should be a must stop. Visit.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda brings us words from the novel Dragon Moon by Carole Wilkinson.  Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

Music break… huh. I like the UK group Tribes, at least the song given.

At Carry On Tuesday,  Keith offers the title of one of Abba’s songs as our prompt. The link he provides takes us to the original song by Abba, as well as the version sung by Pierce Brosnan. It’s proving to be a very musical Friday. Of course, I stopped to listen. (It’s Abba, she said, blotting her musical copybook forever, in many eyes.)

Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Look around while you are there. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Well, that’s new. Today’s starting line wouldn’t leave until I got my notebook out and wrote two limericks. It’s a weird day, people.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt, a photograph. Make sure you look at the photograph in close-up mode. There are a ton of details. You might find yourself writing about one small corner, rather than the entire image.

Peggy, at Poetry Jam, challenges us to play with an aspect of point of view, to write as something completely other. Head over to see what she says.

Elizabeth, of 1sojournal, says of her new posts, I found the very beginnings of my own story as a serious writer. Discovered me, making notes about finding my own path for the next twenty years. The things that worked, and the ones that didn’t… I believe they contain that first eye-opening energy of the beginner, that one who has finally grasped a much wider concept than she has allowed herself in the past. It’s an energy I wish to share.

We’re at Carol’s Wonder Wednesday, where she gives us an image and a possible track to go down. I love the conversation poem she wrote to go with it.

At imaginary garden with real toads, there are days when I don’t know which one to choose for you. That’s when I give you the general address and let you choose.  Go play with the toads.

Music break… again with the, Huh. I liked the Fanfarlo song. It’s not that I question my son’s taste, which has been impeccable since he was nine, or some such. I am surprised at the contemporary music that I like. No, no, it doesn’t seem to go with Abba.

We Write Poems would like us to try anaphora. Uh huh. You know you are going to have to visit to find out what the heck. Go. It’s a fun technique to play with.

At dVerse, Samuel Peralta gives us one of the clearest explanations for a somewhat difficult form, that I have read, and I have read lots in my quest to write a ghazal, or ghazal sonnet. Step into his office and see what you can do. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author: Weekend Haiku & Limericks isn’t posted yet, but visit. Her topics focus on aspects of nature. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a new tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites. The sites won’t always be up-to-date, in fact, rarely, but the links will get you there.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

I shall see you Tuesday for a found prompt; Thursday for Your Serendipity; and next Friday for the usual.

Happy 1st of February and happy writing, everyone.


What? Friday? Again? Freeforall

0
0

8:05a.m. — Atlanta

listening to The Sticks singing Mother Mother

Hi, all. Shall we?

tow-truck1We start with Donna’s Put Words Together. Make Meaning and two possibilities — three if you look at the post before the one I’m giving you. These are some of my favourite kinds of poems to play with, ones derived from some form of the poet’s words. To read what it is about, head over to Donna’s place.

I read this in Joseph’s last Refinery post: Let this be the official call for Refinery submissions! After this one, the current stack is empty. Ack! People! This is quite an opportunity; take advantage. If you are worried about how you will feel, pick a poem you want reworked but don’t have a strong emotional attachment to. Don’t make me threaten you with pulling out the Viking prompt from Joseph’s archives (actually, that was fun). Meanwhile, go over and watch him at work on a poem by Irene. He has also given us a prompt on family, at the end. Go read.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, we are breaking up. Along with the prompt come the usual tips, and poems on the topic. Bonus: Listen to Neil Sedaka singing Breaking Up is Hard To Do. Adele’s posts offer so much that she should be a must stop. Visit.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author: Weekend Haiku & Limericks offers prompts in the form of a Monday quote (this week has a lovely Hokushi haiku), her posts on nature and ecology, and the comments. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest.sunday whirl

At The Sunday Whirl, I am giving you the general address so you don’t miss Brenda on Mr. Linky and patience. Scroll down a bit. My first smile of the day (Hey! It’s early.). Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At Carry On Tuesday,  Keith offers a line by poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. It’s a rather nifty line. I see interesting possibilities for breaking it up and using the parts as the structural frame. Head over.

Here comes my second smile. Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Look around while you are there. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt, a photograph. This is an interesting one, as it is architectural. I notice only 62 people have written to it, so some are having difficulty with what to write. Like last week’s, you might find yourself writing about one small corner, rather than the entire image.

I love the possibilities at Poetry Jam, where Mary has us focusing on yes and no. I want, immediately, to try each of her suggestions. She also gives us a few quotations as kickstarts. Head over to see what she says.

Elizabeth, of 1sojournal, says of her new posts, I found the very beginnings of my own story as a serious writer. Discovered me, making notes about finding my own path for the next twenty years. The things that worked, and the ones that didn’t… I believe they contain that first eye-opening energy of the beginner, that one who has finally grasped a much wider concept than she has allowed herself in the past. It’s an energy I wish to share.

We’re at Carol’s Wonder Wednesday, where she gives us an image and a possible track to go down. Her challenge, as you look at her photograph is to write an uncliched poem about its subject. Have a look.

At imaginary garden with real toads, Mary’s Mixed Bag offers a love poem with a twist. Check it out. Go play with the toads.

Once upon a timeyou know how it goes. Head to We Write Poems to find out what, where, who, why, how. Go kiss that frog.

At dVerse, we are asked to Meet the Bar in our memories. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place and they’re mixing gimlets in honour of Spring. Always optimistic.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a new tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites. The sites won’t always be up-to-date, in fact, rarely, but the links will get you there.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

I shall see you Tuesday for a prompt to do with a sense of the land; Thursday for Your Serendipity; and next Friday for the usual.

Happy writing, everyone.






Latest Images