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Things you wish you would have said

You know the times when people say the darndest things to you and you want to reply but you:   1.  are shocked out of your socks 2.  struggling with yourself so you won’t be  incarcerated  for murder 3. couldn’t remember your middle name right now much less a witty retort.

Writing Prompt:

1. Here’s your chance to make it right.  Go back into your memory.  Replay that scene on paper.  Write exactly what happened.  Next, REWRITE the scene and say what you could have said to put them in their place. 

2.  Rewrite the scene and instead, write what you could say to create peace between the two of you.  How can you strengthen the bond instead of destroying it?  Be the better person.

3.  Write a fictional scene with two characters who are in conflict over something humorous. 

4.  Write a fictional scene with two characters who are in conflict over something serious but they come to a mutual understanding.

5. Read the original replies below.  Can you come up with any of your own?

The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor:   She said, “If you were my husband I’d give you poison.” He said, “If you were my wife, I’d drink it.”

A member of Parliament to Disraeli: “Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.” “That depends, Sir,” said Disraeli, “whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.”

“He had delusions of adequacy.”  Walter Kerr

“He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.” Winston Churchill

“I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.” Clarence Darrow

“He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.”  William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

“Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll waste no time reading it.”  Moses Hadas

“I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.”  Mark Twain

“He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.” Oscar Wilde

“I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend…. if you have one.” George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

“Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second…. if there is one.”  Winston Churchill, in response.

“I feel so miserable without you; it’s almost like having you here.” Stephen Bishop

“He is a self-made man and worships his creator.” John Bright

“I’ve just learned about his illness. Let’s hope it’s nothing trivial.”  Irvin S. Cobb

“He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others.”  Samuel Johnson

“He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up.”  Paul Keating

“In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily.” Charles, Count Talleyrand

“He loves nature in spite of what it did to him.”  Forrest Tucker

“Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?” Mark Twain

“His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.” Mae West

“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.” Oscar Wilde

“He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts . . . for support rather than illumination.”  Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

“He has Van Gogh’s ear for music.” Billy Wilder

“I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn’t it.” Groucho Marx

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Does your pet think it’s human?

Why but of course.  Doesn’t every pet? 

Have you ever said, “Sometimes I think Fluffy (or Scruffy or Sir Elrod) thinks he’s human because . . . ”

The Contra Costa Times would love to hear your story.  Tell them why in 150 words or less.  Make sure to include your full name, your pet’s name, city of residence and a daytime phone number.  E-mail submissions to [email protected] (put “pet submission” in the subject line) or mail them to Ann Tatko-Peterson, Bay Area News Group, P.O. Box 5088, Walnut Creek, CA  94596-1088.  Deadline:  Dec. 10.  Story will run in early January.

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If You Could Go Anywhere in the World . . .

 
Here’s a great site to use for your writing and for geography! 
 
1.  Place a character in a setting anywhere in the world. 
 Have fun choosing a place!
Research the location to discover the culture, foods, weather, styles, sounds, language and other details to enhance your scene.
 
2.  If you could go anywhere in the world, where would YOU choose to go?  Why?  Place yourself in this city and write a travel log of your trip.
 
3.  Write a poem based on one of the videos you see on this site. 
 
 
Around the world

 

 
 
 

 

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Headline Humor

Today on the Internet, these headlines caught my eye:

Man Once Thought Dead Arrested

Actress Criticized for Stage Debut

Time Out Problems for Super Nanny

 

Questions popped into my mind.   Why did they arrest the man?  Did he fake his death?  Hide out?  Disappear in a complicated scheme?  Or was it a case of mistaken identity? 

What about the actress?   What outrageous behavior on stage prompted criticism?  What made her do it?  How did she get on stage?  Was it a long and hard climb to her acting job?

Why was the nanny called a super nanny?  What kind of kids were under her care?

Each of these titles could become a movie, depending upon how the story is handled.  Each of them could be a short story or a poem or a piece of art work.  It’s your choice.   You may choose to create any piece of writing in any style or genre. 

If these titles don’t inspire you, open the newspaper, magazine, or click on your computer screen for another title.  Write your OWN version of what could follow.

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Game Rooms and Internet Cafes in Libraries?

Welcome to the new library.   According to the LA Times, libraries are reinventing themselves into our digital age.  Computer game rooms, internet cafes, and books are arranged by categories rather than good ole’ Dewey is  the new library.

Writing Prompt:

1.  What will the library look like in 50 years? 100?  Write a short story set in the future.

2.  Write a personal essay on your feelings about how libraries should or should not be changing. 

3.  Create a poem focusing on this theme.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-libraries-20101112,0,6514361.story?page=1

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There’s a Lion in Our Backyard . . .

So when we got home from our vacation a couple of weeks ago, we discovered two mountain lions had been frolicking on top of a car a couple of blocks away from us. 

“Get the camera ready,” I told my husband.

“Are you serious?” he said.  “They can be dangerous.”

Yes, but I suspect we are more dangerous to them right now than they are to us. 

Thinking back a few months ago to the poor deer that was cornered in some guy’s back yard in Oakland, and an unruly cop fired his gun SEVERAL TIMES at the shivering creature.   A few weeks ago one uniformed policeman shot a Golden Retriever who wanted to play.

No, I’m not afraid of the mountain lion.  I’m afraid for the mountain lion.

The latest sighting is from a block away.  A lion crossed the street and ambled into our open space that is behind our house. 

Writing Prompts:

1.  Write about any encounters or experiences you have had with wildlife. 

2.  Using a majestic wild animal as inspiration, create a poem.

3.   Write a short story with the aspect of wildlife and urban life as a theme.

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Music in your writing . . . literally

We are at a lovely little outdoor Italian Cafe.   Plates of pizza, pasta, and fish are on tables around us.   I enjoy my favorite drink – – water with gas.  (Mineral water)   A woman walks by holding a basket with a bottle of wine and a loaf of bread.  Meanwhile, music drifts out of our restaurant. . .

“YYYYYYYMMMMMMMMMCCCCCCCCAAAAAAA!”

“It’s fun to stay at the YYYYYYMMMMMCCCCCCAAAA.”

My husband looks like he just swallowed his tongue.  I’m sure I have a similar facial expression.  Talk about horrifying.   We’ve traveled miles to get Italian ambiance and we listen to American music from the seventies?  To make it worse, it’s this music?

I shudder.  Too bad I left my ear plugs from the airplane trip in the hotel. 

Writing Prompts:

1.  Write a scene where music is part of the plot.

2.  Write a scene where a hint of music plays in the background.

3.  In the another story you have written, check to see if adding music will enhance the story or a scene in some way.  Have you included enough sound to put your reader inside your scene?

4.  Write about your favorite music through a poem.  Or your least favorite music!

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Relax and Write

                                       Rough life, but someone’s gotta do it

In the small towns of Croatia, we enjoyed a laid-back atmosphere.  The guides told us that if you lived in the towns, everyone knew your name.  (And everything about you, of course) 

It wasn’t uncommon for people to take long breaks, similar to siestas, but not to sleep.  They take a noon break for a couple of hours to hang out at a cafe for coffee, gelato, or a cool drink to chat and watch people go by. 

Around 4:00 in the afternoon, they go back for another cafe or quiet time. 

Writing Prompt:

1.  When, in your life, were you the most relaxed ever?  Write about this experience.  How did it feel?  Where were you?  What happened?  What did you do? 

2.   Have you ever been in a situation where everyone knows your name and everything about you?  Ever lived in a small town?  What are the advantages?  Disadvantages?

3.  Write a story where the character is living in a very small town and deals with this type of atmosphere.  Does he or she have a secret she is trying to keep from someone?  This would be hard to do in a small town. 

4.  Write a scene showing people being at ease.  Next, write a scene showing the same people being rushed or very excited and wired. 

5.  Writers need to remember to find time to relax.  This is when we get our best creative ideas and moments.  Make time in your busy life, even if it’s only for 10 minutes a day.  Schedule in at some time so you can reflect and have time to daydream about your creative ideas!

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Croatia, Italy and the USA

I’ve just arrived home from a trip to Croatia and Italy.  I’ve wanted to go to Croatia since I’ve been a little girl.  Why that country?  My mother’s parents came from Zagreb in 1901 and I know very little about their world or them, both having passed on before I came along. 

Croatia is an interesting mixture of ancient and new.  We began in the northern city of Zagreb and proceeded south where it became warmer.   In the north the language reminded me very much of Russian, and the more south we traveled it felt as though there was an Italian dialect mixed in to their communication as well as the foods. 

We’ve never eaten better fish anywhere.  In Opatija, we sat down at a restaurant and asked what they were known for in their area.  The waiter brought out a platter with a large fish, complete with an interesting head and eyes.  My husband blanched.  I stifled a laugh. 

“Let’s go for it,” I said.  After all, I never met a seafood I never liked.

Our big mistake was forgetting to take a picture of our dinner before it was grilled.  It came later and it was flakey and delicious.  No bones – – only the main one down its back I guess. 

It was a memorable meal.  And since we forgot to take a photo, I found one online for you to see.  http://www.panoramio.com/photo/7034957

Writing Prompts:

1.  Which place in the world would you like to visit?  Read about this place and plan your itinerary. 

2.  Find a map and discover the places I mentioned in my blog.  Research and do a nonfiction piece about the area.

3.  Write about a trip you’ve taken that has left wonderful . . . or not so wonderful impressions upon you. 

4.  Create a short story set in an area that is not a place you are familiar with.  You must read about this place in order to learn about the setting. 

5.  Write a poem inspired by a trip you have taken.  It could be a trip a town away from your home! 

6.  Have you ever gone a long time without sleep?  How did you deal with it?  Write about it in an amusing way.  You can use exaggeration to make it more funny!

7.  Write about the most interesting or different food you have ever eaten.  What was it?  What did it look like?  Taste like?

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Video of dog and deer playing together

Watch the video below.  Next, write about the adventure in the present tense from the voice of the deer or the dog or the person taking the video. 

Or write an essay comparing the element of play between these two very different creatures and another aspect of life.   Enjoy the video.  I did!

http://www.wimp.com/oneball/

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