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Friday, December 11, 2009

Our Gift To You on Poetry Friday!

Below is some Not-Quite-Poetry (or is it?) for
Poetry Friday
...and a Writing Workout/
Writing Prompt / Story Starter / Lesson Plan!


Today's topic: an internet link from each TeachingAuthor...our gift to you for the holidays!



Hmmm...which one shall I wrap up for you?  Okay...I've got it.  My link is one you may already know.  It’s Smith Magazine, famous for Six Word Memoirs. 

In January we will be checking in on how you’re doing with those new-school-year goals you made in the fall, so let’s look at Smiths’ Six-Word Resolutions 

Here's one:

Start finishing first novel's last page.

~ jah 1

Here's my stab at a resolution, addressing the overly critical voice trumpeting in my brain:



Critic on shoulder?  Duct-tape her mouth! 

(Yes, this is cheating, because duct tape doesn't have a hyphen.  Or at least the critic on my shoulder told me it was cheating.)

So...what’s your six-word resolution?



a

Writing Workout / Writing Prompt / Story Starter / Lesson Plan
Six Word Memoirs:
Jumping Off Points for Your Story

Out of plot ideas? 
Wishing someone would drop a complete story in your lap?  You’re in luck!
There's something wonderful about having limits or sticking to a specific form. 
Not haiku...shorter.  Six-word memoirs.

Go to Smith Magazine to find one that resonates with you (there are lots of different categories, including Momoirs, Brushes with Fame, Love and Heartbreak),
or write your own,
or work with one of the seven from Smith below:

I punched monster, monster punched back.
~ emo122

Make a wish.  Nothing.  Always tomorrow.

~ Mook

A snow day would fix everything.
~ bluebirch114

Black and white life seeks color.

~ jae1390

I didn't walk off a roof.
~ Tobin Levy

How did I wind up here?

~ sisterpoet

And finally...this one just made me laugh:
Editor.  Get it?
~ Kate Hamill

In January, I'll ask you for a six-word essay on how you’re doing on those goals, so be thinking about that!

Meanwhile, write; write with joy. 
Drawings © by April Halprin Wayland

2 comments:

  1. I love this post, April.

    And I clicked on the link and found this favorite:

    Start recycling plastic. Stop discarding wives.

    Now, there's a story . . .

    Jet

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for this! I love using six word memoirs just to infuse a little creativity into my day and remind me I'm a writer. :)

    ReplyDelete

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