You might like to investigate writing a pantoum, a poetic form which allows for rhyme, rhythm and repetition. A pantoum often has 16 lines (it can have more), written in quatrains – four-line stanzas. Continue reading 42 is the Right Answer, Day 13
Your April Fool’s Day Creative Writing Prompt: Clowning Around Obviously I’m going to want humour today, a funny story or poem – or better still, a sketch. This can be fact or fiction, but it must have humour at its … Continue reading 42 is the Right Answer, Day 11
I’m looking for something longer today, a 1,800 to 2,000-word short story. This must be fiction, even if you are basing the story on something that happened to you in the past. Continue reading 42 is the Right Answer, Day 10
Your task today is to free write (meaning just get down on paper or computer screen whatever comes to mind) as you think about… Continue reading 42 is the Right Answer, Day 9
Whether the thought of writing a poem fills you with terror/disgust/delight, just get on with it. Its only for today, and who knows, you may find some pleasure in it. Continue reading 42 is the Right Answer, Day 7
Day Six Creative Writing Prompt: They had an understanding… Who did? When? Why? Who else knew? Was there corruption or immoral behaviour going on? Where? There doesn’t have to be a bad thing happening, but still… Was this a relationship between a child and grandparent, coach and footballer, dog and trainer, husband and wife, priest and housekeeper, artist and muse, butterfly and Buddleia? Your call. If this prompt triggers a piece of memoir, try adding historical detail to set the scene, without labouring the point. For example, you could mention an iconic hairstyle, piece of popular music, or mode of … Continue reading 42 is the Right Answer, Day 6
Hold that thought. Because some time soon, I’ll also be dabbling with other Homonyms and Homophones. Oh yes… Continue reading 42 is the Right Answer, Day 5
…even memoir can work with this treatment, and a story or poem always seems very immediate and urgent if written this way. Although having said that, I could be lying, right? Continue reading 42 is the Right Answer, Day 3
Remember to think of who, why, where, what, when, how?
Consider using the different senses to capture the scene – sight, smell, taste, touch, sound. Continue reading 42 is the Right Answer, Day 2
Apologies if you’ve already seen this on Facebook! Park your bum on a chair and WRITE! Pen and paper or keyboard, your choice Read a lot: magazines, books, journals, books, cereal packets, books, Join a friendly, supportive creative writing group (see below) Do more writing (ahem, that’s what writers do) Read some more: books, newspapers, books, filmscripts, books, stories on-line, books Mix with people who get it – ignore the detractors (what do they know anyway?) Keep going, write every day if you can. Get good by practicing If you want to be a writer but you’re not enjoying the … Continue reading Ten Tips for Becoming a Better Writer
