Just recently I took a trip in the clouds to visit my blogger friend Susan at Sneakers in the Dryer. In a recent post Susan sent out a challenge for other bloggers to give her a writing prompt. I sent Susan a prompt and she challenged me to join her. I accepted. My prompt to Susan was “writing from prompts”. The only real stipulation Susan gave was that it is fictional and between 200 and 300 words. This is quite a challenge for me as I’m more of a journal writer. I guess you could argue that this is not entirely fictional but hey, I’m having a go.
I’m stuck in this place, darkness surrounds me. I’ve fallen into a deep hole and cannot climb out. Shivering, I sit, I listen, “is anybody there?” Silence. I look around and notice a faint hint of light in the distance. I crawl towards it, slowly feeling my way over the smooth, damp cave floor.
Autumn in the Blue Mountains is a golden time of year. My muse has left me. Silence. What better distraction than a walk in the crisp fresh mountain air. I’m meant to be writing from prompts.
An unfamiliar track caught my attention. A waterfall cascaded through the canopy, the ground blanketed with leaves of gold, yellow, and red. Mesmerised, I stumbled and here I am in this strange dark place.
Mounds of course grit like waste appear under my hands. Animal bones and shells from freshwater mussels make up several middens left by the long since gone indigenous inhabitants. There has to be a way out. I keep inching my way towards the light. There are bright red Aboriginal hand stencils of all shapes and sizes reaching out from the cave walls. Hundreds of them; waving, calling, prompting. Strangely, I feel safe in this cave. A sacred place.
The voice whispers ‘Keep moving towards the light.” Stillness, silence and yet I hear him. My muse. Hands, many hands, silence. Light.
All too often we are offered challenges and writing prompts. A great exercise but what about some real feedback. A bit like a writing group in the clouds. Can we achieve this or is it unrealistic? Will our egos get in the way? I enjoyed feedback at my creative writing classes before Christmas. Constructive feedback. Feedback that helps you see writing from the perspective of others, in a different light.
Oh, my! That was WONDERFUL writing, Teresa!!
I will definitely be tested to keep my ego in check and be ready to learn a thang or two (or three or four) from my talented blogging friends. Thanks for playing!!!
For the benefit of those reading, the original ‘challenge’ posting is here… http://sneakersinthedryer.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/the-thang-and-why-i-need-you/
Thanks Susan. I’m so looking forward to reading your post.
Another comment… about the writing-group-in-the-clouds concept. As much as I yearn for that (I truly miss the one writer’s group I belonged to in North Carolina), it requires a mutual respect, a safe haven in which to give and take constructive criticism. It takes a judgment about where that person is as a writer and whether what they are doing now is in line with, better or potentially less solid than their usual product. I usually feel uncomfortable about giving such feedback just in writing, because the recipient doesn’t hear in your voice or see in your eyes how kind you are (or not) in your delivery. To take criticism well is to feel that the ‘giver’ truly cares. I think that is pretty risky on the internet and can make or break even ‘in-person’ writer’s groups.
But, while we’re on it… some feedback. Now, this is easy because truly I was impressed by what you came up with. It was very visual to me. I absolutely loved the aboriginal hands-and-cave scene… the bones and shells underneath you. Your grammar is immaculate. You’ve used your words efficiently. About the only thing I found needing correction was possibly punctuation. (I wanted to add in some hyphens and extra commas but I’m not an English major so I’m sure I would improperly explain the ‘why’ for lack of proper terminology. It all had to do with multiple adjectives and adverbs and what I thought the rules were, but I am finding that different countries follow different rules of English so you might, in fact, be spot on!) Most important is the fact that your little story felt like a journey in discovery and your choice of phrasing made it flow effortlessly. Bravo!
Thanks for all your kind words and the feedback. To be honest Sue I don’t really know a lot about the rules. I just write. I hear what you are saying about a writing group over the internet. It was fun having a go at this exercise so thanks for the encouragement.
I don’t know much about the rules either. Actually, I’m not much interested in ‘rules.” I do know that I need a trigger of some sort or encouragement to complete something. Hence, I don’t have too many complete pieces–hardly any actually. My blog posts are the closest I get to completing something so I truly appreciate you joining me, putting such effort in and completing such a beautifully-written piece.
I find I work better when I’ve got writing challenges with others. I did better when I was attending the creative writing group. Unfortunately, it has been delayed this term as my teacher has breast cancer. She’s such a brave woman and an inspiration. It’s been good fun to have this challenge with you Sue and yes I wouldn’t mind doing it again. I’m even thinking maybe I’ll do a couple of short stories with an Australian theme. I’ve got a book started but I feel a bit overwhelmed with it as I feel I’ve set myself quite a challenge for a first novel. Why don’t you take one of your unfinished works and have a go at finishing it!
I’m sorry to hear about your teacher dealing with cancer. Bravery, hope and faith all help a person get thru… that, and some good old fashioned support from friends and loved ones.
I’m relieved you might join me on another round of writing sometime. I was worried my feedback might’ve backfired! I have quite a few short stories sitting in the wings and the start of a book but, like you, its not getting done as it seems overwhelming. I’ve been hoping the habit of blogging–starting and finishing something every week–will spillover into my efforts with those projects. Not the case yet. But, somehow just starting things up with you is lighting a fire again. I’ll give it a go! Thanks for the motivation!
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I fear there may be an author hiding inside the journal writing Teresa. I loved your writing and well done for taking on the challenge.
Kind words Tina, thank you. Your blog seems to be mostly book reviews these days. Am I missing some posts? Admittedly I haven’t been on WordPress as often as I used to though.