Always Learning • Always Growing
Prompt #5:
What do you see as the biggest problem facing our world today? Explain the concern and why it dominates other issues.
Prompt #5 – Challenge:
What are the options for solving this problem? Which one do you think is the most viable? Why?
Let’s talk about how to make the world a better place. Upload your prompt response in the comments.
Not sure what’s going on with these “On Wednesdays We Write” prompts? Click here to find out.
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Prompt #4:
Glory. What is glory? Take a few minutes to reflect. It’s OK to use a dictionary or to Google the meaning. How does glory look? Sound? Smell? Taste? Feel? How do you know when you achieve glory? What items would be on the checklist? Does glory come from within, or does another’s attention or praise bring glory? Is it a conscious goal or a byproduct? Share briefly an encounter you’ve had with glory.
Prompt #4 – Challenge:
Write a poem titled “Glory” that conveys the essence of the word.
Poetic form: whatever works
Suggested length: as long as it takes
Share your prompt responses by uploading in the comments.
Not sure what’s going on with these “On Wednesdays We Write” prompts? Click here to find out.
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Prompt #3:
Write a dialogue between these two ducks that introduces and resolves a conflict. If read out loud, the conversation should last 3-4 minutes.
Prompt #3 – Challenge:
Write an introduction to the duck exchange, except for this challenge, make the same conversation between humans. Give the characters names, brief physical descriptions, and internal traits that set up the dialogue to make sense. Follow the introduction with a revised version of the duck dialogue that fits the human characters you’ve created.
I’m excited to read what you’ve created. Upload your exercise in the comments to share.
Not sure what’s going on with these “On Wednesdays We Write” prompts? Click here to find out.
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Prompt #2:
Write the exposition for a story that begins with the following:
When I opened my eyes, I struggled for a minute to figure out whether I was dreaming or awake…
Remember that exposition gives the background for a story. It introduces characters and setting (time and place), as well as the situation in which the characters find themselves.
Prompt #2 – Challenge:
Advance the story through the inciting incident, which is the event that reveals the conflict and draws the main character into their journey.
I’m looking forward to reading your stories. Upload your work in the comments to share.
Not sure what’s going on with these “On Wednesdays We Write” prompts? Click here to find out.
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Prompt #1:
Tell me about your favorite fork. Describe what it looks like. What color is it? What shape? Of what material is it made? Detail any engravings or decorative features. Is it one-of-a-kind or one of many? How does it feel when you hold it? Why is this one your favorite? What people, events, ideas, or emotions do you associate with it?
Prompt #1 – Challenge:
Write a vignette featuring this fork. A vignette is a very short sequence of events, creating a snapshot of one brief moment in time. Work in as many descriptive details as you can, but remember to place them in a narrative.
The narrative may be fiction or nonfiction.
Suggested length: 300-400 words
Upload your writing in the comments to share.
Not sure what’s going on with these “On Wednesdays We Write” prompts? Click here to find out.
Graphics designed in Canva
Now that we’re solidly past the season of New Year’s resolutions and goal-setting let’s do something fun. Something good for the soul and heart and intellect. Let’s write!
We’re not writing with immediate, focused goals in mind. Instead, we’re writing to discover and to become better writers.
Each Wednesday, I will post a writing prompt and a challenge based on that prompt. Think of the prompt as a springboard. You might want to jump, fly through the air, and land. That’s it. You’re done. But if you want more writing, more jumping and flying and landing in a different place, then move to the challenge for an additional writing opportunity.
Do whatever you’re up for. It’s completely up to you.
If you are a writer, look at “On Wednesdays We Write” as a respite from your current project. With great mindfulness, focus on the actual writing and not what you will do with it. Let the exercise be an end in itself. Delight in the ideas and images and words. It’s your chance to do what you love without pressure. I hope that these little exercises will take you back to your goal-oriented, deadline-focused writing with peace and refreshment, as well as energy and strength.
If you are a teacher, feel free to use these posts as bellringers, supplemental activities, journal entries, prewriting exercises, or even writing assignments. I challenge you to give students the chance to write for fun. Treat it as play, not work. At your discretion (you know your students better than anyone else), choose students to share their writing aloud, whether in person or remotely. Or publish their submissions in a collaborative document or even in a digital literary magazine. Want to up the ante for successful completion? You write the prompt too, and if 100% of students participate, then share your writing.
If you are a student, you can write without a teacher assigning these! Whether you’re super-eager to learn or just super-bored, these prompts will give you a chance to explore your world and your ideas. You’ll practice organizing details and creating an engaging reading experience for your audience. Post your responses to these exercises on your blog and link back to these prompts so your writing community can join you. Ask a friend or two to write the prompts with you and share your writings each week.
I’m excited for all the writing fun that lies ahead, and do you know what would make me over-the-top thrilled? Post your response to the writing exercises in the comments. I would LOVE to read what you write.
Are you ready to get started? I’ll see you on Wednesday!
Always Learning HQ 