Writing Prompt 119
Prompt Station
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. When the time is up type it up. Explore a new genre if you wish. 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 to 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.
Previous prompts are available on the Prompt Station starting page. 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 without planning.
Today’s prompt is:
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 started for the participants of writing workshoppers and have continued to include everyone. You may choose to write to the prompt and keep it private on your notepad. 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. Always check back and comment on other participants’ work too.
While you’re here, subscribe please and join in Thursday’s SPAWN session, a Substack social hangout. If you have subscribed, many thanks for supporting independent writing and writers.
The support of paid subscribers keeps the prompts and the Writer Pilgrim page going. If you can, please consider going paid. Thank you! If you find you are too tight with money, share, leave comments and restack Writer Pilgrim stories, poems and prompts. Thank you for being here.
Prompt Station is one of the features of Writer Pilgrim that gets the most views along with SPAWN on Thursdays and Song Title Poetry on the first Friday of the month. For those who want to support me keeping this publication alive, go for one of the paid options and you get the podcast Writer Pilgrim Sounds included.
“How long we gonna watch her, boss? We got the call almost an hour ago.”
“Just a couple more minutes. She’ll be coming in soon.”
“Last thing I need on a raw day like this is to have to jump in the drink to fish out some looney.”
“Not to worry. Look.”
Sure enough the woman in plaid turned slowly and began to trudge away from the water line.
The senior officer smiled knowingly.
“How were you so sure, boss?”
“Jumpers don’t bring umbrellas.”
A Dark and Dreary Afternoon
Ellen viewed the empty benches as her boots splashed through the overflowing river water. Thoughts of warmer days flashed through her mind.
“Never mind,” she murmured quietly. “Soon we will return to those times.”
She walked over and sat on a bench ignoring the cascade of water that was falling all about her.
“Many things change,” she stated to herself, “but some memories carry on forever.” She pictured her husband tossing a line into the river and talking about those damn Yankees buying everyone in sight to make them a better team. Her memories turned towards her son falling into the water only to be plucked out by her laughing husband. She reflected on the time her daughter was sunbathing when a sea gull approached and stole her bag of Doritos. The Doritos were last seen flying into the sun.
“Memories, sunshine and water. Those are pretty much the only constants in our lives.”
Ellen noticed a young man approaching her with a police officer. She frowned and then smiled as they came near.
“Thank you officer,” said Robert.
“Maam,” asked the police officer, “are you okay?”
Ellen looked at the officer. “I am having a splendid time waiting on this bench. My husband should be here shortly.”
The police officer looked at Robert sympathetically as Robert shook his head. “Maam, you are needed at home. We have come to take you there.”
Ellen looked at them. “Is it Bobby? He is always doing things to hurt himself. One time he jumped off the roof thinking he was Superman.”
Robert smiled at the memory. The officer smiled a goofy smile. “I think we all have done that at one time or another. It’s time to go,” he said. He stepped forward and took hold of her elbow to help her rise from the bench.
Robert took the other elbow.
As she rose Ellen commented, “It sure isn’t like it used to be out here.”
Robert said quietly, “You are so right mom.”