Week 8 (If you want to know where you’re at, but there’s no need to count).
If you have been writing to the prompts regularly, well done. If you haven’t followed any prompts yet and you’re here now, this is what matters. Be brave, give it a go and be present. Write and pour your heart on to the page. Write by hand if you can, please. There is no right or wrong of working through or with these prompts. Explore a new genre if you wish, but you don’t have to. Look at today’s theme and write what first comes to your mind. If you are an artist who prefers to draw or create other pieces than writing that’s ok too.
Writing is about what you see and how you see it. Others may not want to see what you have to share. It’s your job to tell the story that’s burning inside, even if the pages get to carry too much. Your job as a writer is to write it.
If you use these prompts and make a post or other work please say what inspired you to create and link it back to this post and the Writer Pilgrim by So Elite publication.
If a prompt doesn’t work, make it work for you. Pick an element, a word or an angle and try again and well done for persevering. Be gentle and be kind to yourself.
If you have missed a prompt you can go back to the Prompt Station starting page and look through what you’ve skipped. Give all prompts a chance. While you may be inclined to pick and choose, you may want to look more closely at the ones you’re avoiding. It may be that those prompts can offer you some guidance or discovery as you set out to write. Don’t always go for the safe option. Try new things in your writing. That’s what a prompt is for, to play, explore have fun and be silly or serious.
Today’s prompt is:
What’s a good story? Mindmap, write, or make a list.
Set your timer to 5 minutes. If you feel like writing more after the 5 minutes have passed carry on.
This is a 5 minute exercise in writing in long hand and letting your pen lead your words on the page. No judging, no editing, just a stream of words coming out.
These prompts are for the workshoppers of the Friday in person club. If you find yourself on here, the page is currently posted to web only on most days. You may choose to write to the prompt and keep it private on your notepad. I don’t mind. If you decide to post your writing in comments, you may get a comment or like from someone other than me! Can you handle it? This page is online, so only share what you are comfortable with.
I appreciate you. Thank you for being here. Thank you for those of you who post your work and those of you who read, comment and support.
While you’re here, you can follow me on notes and join in Thursday’s SPAWN session, a Substack hangout. If you have subscribed, many thanks, if not, what are you waiting for?
Be the best you can be, they told me.
Always strive for more, they said.
Keep pushing. Keep gaining. Don't settle for anything.
Don't be satisfied. Don't lose ambition.
I was so busy striving.
So busy pushing and gaining,
It took me too long to realise,
they never told me what I should be striving for.
Or what I should be gaining.
Grab that promotion. Ask for more money.
Step on that person's head whilst you're getting there.
What if I was not meant to be an apex predator?
What if CEO was not my path?
You must have ambition, people tell me.
I do. But my kind of ambition does not count.
What if I wasn't meant to forfeit my sane and my soul to the city.
What if I was meant to be really good at talking to people?
What if this was the best I had to offer?
And what if it was wonderful?
Use up my magic, take what I offer,
Then tell me it isn't enough and I should do more?
What if I just played a different game?
What if I knew something, you did not?
Perhaps I scare you? Is that why?
You have been ignoring me,
I was always here and you always saw me.
You just didn't know how to love a thing like me.
Once Upon a time
There was a young girl
She dreamt and she wished
Not realising
One simple thing
To love herself was so
Important
From there she could do
Anything
She wanted a life
That she did not know
And from inside out
She would
slowly grow
A story begins
At any point in
The chapter can change
From inside
again
People come , places go
And a moral of a life
Begins to grow
A map is lost , inside
From time
That over and over and over again
Is the map of a path
From you to you
This little girl followed
And never knew
She was reaching for stars
And
They already
There
Her inner light
Had been hurt and hidden
Until the moment
She laid bare
Her feelings and fears
Her troubles too
Where placed side by side
With her positive YOU.
You mean ME?
I’m the star
That lights up
The lives of
Others
Who passes through
Each of my days
My purpose is clear
To be so good
My best self
Live , let go
Stand out
And let my star
Shine through.
Monday 17th June prompt. Photo prompt: Be so Good they can’t ignore you.
For writers pilgrim workshop by Lucinda Sieger time 10:25am