Blog Stats

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Dorothy Parker Writing Prompts

Happy Birthday to Dorothy Parker! 

Dorothy Parker (August 22, 1893 – June 7, 1967) was an American poet, short story writer, critic and satirist, best known for her wisecracks and wit.  You can read some of her poems and more about her here.

Below are creative writing prompts for fiction, play writing, and poetry.  ENJOY!  Feel free to post anything you come up with.  

Fiction Writing & Play Writing Practice:  Dorothy Parker is the one who wrote: 

Men seldom make passes
At girls who wear glasses.

Below is a picture of a cute girl with glasses in a vineyard.  Write a scene where someone makes a pass at her.  Keep your setting in the vineyard.  Keep in mind she is stealing this grape.

anna and the grape
 Anna snacks on a stolen grape from a vineyard in province b

Creative Writing Prompt for Poetry:  In honor of Dorothy Parker's birthday, please read the two short poems below, and create a little witty poem of your own.

Drink and dance and laugh and lie,
Love, the reeling midnight through,
For tomorrow we shall die!
(But, alas, we never do.

If I didn't care for fun and such,
I'd probably amount to much.
But I shall stay the way I am,
Because I do not give a damn.
First printed in New York World, (16 August 1925)

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Writing Prompts with Polka Dots

polka dot tea party by Shandi-lee
polka dot tea party, a photo by Shandi-lee on Flickr.

Today's writing prompts start with the image of "polka dots." For one minute, free-write what images come to mind when you think of "polka dots."

After the time is up, pick one or more images from your list to write a story, poem, personal essay, etc.

OR you can write a story based on the character in today's picture. Why is she wearing the red polka dot dress today? What is she waiting for? Who will she see?

Bonus Prompt:

Reflect on this quote and write a short sketch of a character, showing HOW this character travels in the manner of happines.

"Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling. " -Margaret Lee Runbeck

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Writing Prompts About Keys

Keys by Svadilfari
Keys, a photo by Svadilfari on Flickr.

Today, we will kick-off our writing prompts with a phrase,

"I want a key to. . . "

Please write for 5 minutew without stopping.

After that, your assignment will be to turn your free-write into a poem of 10 lines or less.


Fiction Writing Prompt:

Write the first page story that has the word key as the first line. Here are some example lines you can use or you can make up your own:

1. She never dreamed that she would find the key to. . .
2. Jake was quite sure that the key he stole would open the door to that house on the hill they said was haunted. . .
3. She always dreamed of keys. . .

After you get your first page, you can certainly continue if you'd like.

Essay Prompt:

Write an essay of 500 words or less about keys or write about something prompted by a specific key from your life.