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. 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.
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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.
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Today’s prompt is:
This is who features in my writing without me realising…
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.
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Herding Cats
“Look at him down there scribbling away.”
“We think his work is quite wonderful. Short yes but entertaining. Like a good fortune cookie.”
“You would say that being his parents and all but I quite agree he is superb.”
“Of course as his parents we influence him but who is that speaking? Sounds so loud but somewhat distant.”
“Oh that’s his Ego. Too big to fit in the room so shouts his outsized bluster from outside.”
“Let me remind everyone of my overarching influence.”
“Yes of course, God, it goes without saying, but you don’t get nearly the number of likes and restacks as you used to.”
“Don’t forget us we have tried hard to mold him.”
“Who is that, that sounds quite faint.”
“Oh those are Litmags, yes they are losing sway with self publishing and other platforms available.”
“Still, I think some of them know what they are doing.”
“Yes, the handful who have accepted some of his drivel yes thank you Ego we get it.”
“Maybe he can get an agent?”
“Who is that old guy with the pickle ball racket?”
“That’s Ambition. I thought he was retired.”
“Why is that guy in the old-timey hat wrestling that dude in the trench coat and fedora?”
“That’s O. Henry and Raymond Chandler. They are trying to settle which he is trying to copy more.”
“Poorly.”
“I hear a warm comforting hum. Very supportive.”
“That’s other Substack fiction writers.”
“What is that gorgeous noise? Singing. Soaring, Inspirational.”
“That is Joy. Seems to be getting louder. I think she is going to win again.”
“Does it really have to be just one of us. I mean can’t it be one of those “it-takes-a-village” things.”
“The prompt seems to allow some leeway.”
“Sorry I can’t hear you, Joy seems to be drowning us all out, again.”
“Well, I must say Lord she is one of your better creations.”