-->

Billboard Ads

The Notebooking Daily 2020 Writing Series is here! These are daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

#156Title Mania Plus  24 For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which uses one of the following as its title. Before you write, first read the poem from which the titles are selected. For a bonus challenge use the additional exercise of five random constraints.

Today's titles are random. No poem.

Titles:
  • "I Can't Breathe"
  • On the Ground, Face-Down
  • Failure to Wear a Seat Belt
  • Forgery
  • Wrenched by the Arm
  • Tear Gas and Pepper Bullets
  • Bonus Exercise: 5 Random Constraints(I recommend picking any required words or lines before writing with a little surplus for options, but with your chosen title in mind)
  • The first or second word of your piece must start with a "F".
  • You must include at least five words which rhyme with "Fire".
  • You must include something being set on fire.
  • You must include the words "Ball" "Milk" "Stray" "Writhed" and "Flung".
  • You must include in your piece at least three sentences that contain exactly 3 words.
  • ------------------------------------

    If you'd like some background music to write to, try this "Welcome to the Underground" lofi playlist. Read More

  •  Facebook
  •  Twitter
  •  Google+
  •  Stumble
  •  Digg
  • The Notebooking Daily 2020 Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

    These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

    #1553x5x7 Wordbank Sprints 22 For today's writing exercise complete the following steps. The wordbank exercise has changed so be sure to take a peek at the new 'rules'. I recommend using the timer on your phone or computer and setting it for 1 minute. Each time you write a sentence, quickly reset the timer. If it goes off before you're finished with the sentence—wrap it up ASAP!

    In order to complete the large number of sentences demanded of this exercise it is imperative that you write fast. Don't think too much at all until you've reached the final exercise. The process of this quick production is to thrust past second guesses or other stumbling blocks that sometimes impede your writing. You're aiming to write 23 sentences in at most 20 minutes so you have ten minutes to organize and write that actual piece, so you're going to be writing more than a sentence a minute.

    WRITE FAST, DON'T OVERTHINK

  • Pick one word from each of three groups and write a sentence that includes all of the words, feel free to change tense, pluralize, gerund etc. Repeat the process five (5) times using different combinations. No dawdling! 
  • Now write three (3) sentences that are six (6) words or fewer in length that use any two (2) words from the wordbanks.
  • Now write three (3) sentences that use four (4) or more of the words.
  • Now write five (5) sentences which begin with one (1) of the words and contain a second one (1) of the words.
  • Now write five (5) sentences which are fewer than ten (10) words in length and conclude with one (1) of the words from the wordbanks. Remember, keep up the pace! Don't overthink!
  • Now rephrase two (2) of your sentences from exercise #1 in either a more efficient or more descriptive manner.
  • Now write a piece of fiction or poetry that uses at least three (3) of the sentences you've written throughout this process of exercises. Try to use as many of the (good) sentences as you can, or parts of the sentences if the whole thing doesn't fit or works better altered.
  • Word Bank 1:
  • Ply
  • Dollop
  • Flippant
  • Knapsack
  • Tuna
  • Wordbank 2:
  • Errant
  • Bike
  • Passionate
  • Milk
  • Sap
  • Wordbank 3:
  • Seconded
  • Swept
  • Brighter
  • Ocelot
  • Core
  • Bonus writing exercise: In your piece, include someone getting dressed (or putting on an item of clothing), and you must begin three sentences with verbs. ------------------------------------

    Want some unobtrusive background writing music? Try this video where Sarah Chang plays Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor. Read More

  •  Facebook
  •  Twitter
  •  Google+
  •  Stumble
  •  Digg
  • The Notebooking Daily 2020 Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing. These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes. #154Six Word Shootout 17 For today's writing exercise write a piece that includes the following six words. While it perfectly sets you up for a sestina, feel free to write whatever you'd like (but ya know, give that sestina a shot!). Also feel free to make slight alterations to the required words if you want to avoid that eye-pokey repetition you can find in sestinas sometimes.  Required Words:  1) Please 2) Whip 3) Scale 4) Live 5) Fill 6) New -Bonus Exercise: Choose your title from the following: "A Story About Leaves", "Renewed", "More, More", "Left-Hand Side" "Drifting Away" or "Never Hearing the Song for Themselves".   ------------------------------------

    If you'd like some background music to write to, try Herb Ellis & Remo Palmier ‎– Windflower Read More

  •  Facebook
  •  Twitter
  •  Google+
  •  Stumble
  •  Digg
  • The Notebooking Daily 2020 Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing. These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes. #153Three Things Together 23 For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which contains the following three things, Nice and simple.

  • The New York Mets
  • A Flat Tire
  • A Traffic Cone
  • ------------------------------------

    If you'd like some background music to write to, try this "Concentrate Your Mind" lofi playlist.

    Read More

  •  Facebook
  •  Twitter
  •  Google+
  •  Stumble
  •  Digg
  • The Notebooking Daily 2020 Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing. These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes. #152Between a Fact and an Exact Place 13 For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which contains the following place (either as the setting, referenced or some aspect of it described) and the following fact in some way (its discovery, used as a metaphor, witnessed etc).

    Exact Place:  The Millau Viaduct Bridge in southern France  Fact: The Toyota Corolla is the most-sold automobile of all-time. As an additional assignment, should you choose to incorporate it, is as follows: Also include the words "Wand" "Germane" "Wicker" "Hoop" and "Groom". ------------------------------------

    If you'd like some background music to write to, try the album SYNAPSIS - Minimalist piano by David Fedele. Read More

  •  Facebook
  •  Twitter
  •  Google+
  •  Stumble
  •  Digg
  • The Notebooking Daily 2020 Writing Series is a daily writing exercises for both prose writers and poets to keep your creative mind stretched and ready to go—fresh for your other writing endeavors. The writing prompts take the impetus—that initial crystal of creation—out of your hands (for the most part) and changes your writing creation into creative problem solving. Instead of being preoccupied with the question "What do I write" you are instead pondering "How do I make this work?" And in the process you are producing new writing.

    These exercises are not meant to be a standard writing session. They are meant to be productive and to keep your brain thinking about using language to solve simple or complex problems. The worst thing you can do is sit there inactive. It's like taking a 5 minute breather in the middle of a spin class—the point is to push, to produce something, however imperfect. If you don't overthink them, you will be able to complete all of the exercises in under 30 minutes.

    #151 Beginning & Ending with a Crunch 19 For today's writing exercise you will write a piece of poetry or prose which begins with one image, scenario, line of dialog or place and ends with another, and an optional additional requirement. Begin With: A fender bender (car accident).

    End With: Someone stepping on a thinly-iced over puddle.Extra Credit Requirements: Include, somewhere in the first two paragraphs/stanzas, the phrase "head west"; and somewhere in your piece include the words: "Major" "Beeping" "Failure" "Resistance" and "Stolen".

    ------------------------------------ If you'd like some unobtrusive background music try Philip Glass's album "Glassworks" Read More
  •  Facebook
  •  Twitter
  •  Google+
  •  Stumble
  •  Digg
  •