Sunday Scribblings - Simple
Sunday Scribblings seems like a great site. Everyone who participates seems to enjoy the topics, the writing, and everyone else's vignettes. I enjoy the variety of pieces and to see what people are thinking.
This week's topic was "simple," and I thought that is what makes Sunday Scribblings so popular. The topics are simple. Anyone can have an idea when they are given simple words to write about.
Now if I were to give writing assignments, I would not give simple topics. I would set up the thinking person's writings with deep topics, unpredictable words, and encourage specification and even pontification. I would like to see random writings about the absurd, the interesting, the stuff that hides in the recesses of the mind.
I would choose words like:
gaudy
implode
snort
pirouette
Sure, the words are not simple and they would spur potential writers to express new ideas, to stretch their minds in new ways. Some may even have to "look up" the word in order to begin the writing process.
I would also propose "forms" to follow. Examples would be: limericks, epigrams, proverbs, essays, anagrams, haikus, etc. I would give the form, an example of the type of form, then allow the writers to choose their own topic.
What do you think? Anyone up for a mind-bending challenge?
7 comments:
Infact writing for simple is not as simple as it seems. In a way, it the toughest exercise ever, not with standing the word.
Gautami's right. I think the nice thing about a simple one word prompt is that anyone can take part and can take the idea where they want. If you want haiku challenges, try http://onebreathpoetry.blogspot.com where there is a topic every week and participants write haiku (or related forms such as tanka) on the topic. There is also a sonnet challenge somewhere in blogland...
Naw, I like to keep it simple -- like my mind... Interesting blog -- I thought you wanted to live on the Pinehurst Golf Course!
A haiku is hard
I can not write one at all
I am too stupid
I also cannot write a limerick:
There was a man from Kellogg
Whose brain stayed in a fog
He was long in the tooth
Forgot much of his youth
Until he read Ponderosa’s blog
So don't ask me to.
So would this be an epigram?
Here lies Rick
So what's new?
Thank all of you for responding. I usually don't have such a wide, diverse audience.
No, not the golf course, as there are only 9 holes and no where to hide an A-frame.
I figured the majority of writers would like a simple prompt, but there are those who like to be challenged intellectually to new heights or depths as the case may be. . .
Take Myrtle Beach Whale. . .Please!
Ha ha!
Great Haiku, Limerick & Epitaph.
From Encarta Dictionary: English (North American)
epigram (noun)
1) witty sayng
a concise, witty, and often paradoxical remark or saying
2)short poem
POETRY a short poem, often expressing a single idea, that is usually satirical and has a witty ending
3)witty expression
a written or spoken mode of expression that is witty or concise like an epigram
All of MBW's examples could fall into this category. . ."If epigrams could walk - He would be an upright example."
As Marmite Toasty would say. . ."MBW, you are Brill."
(Perhaps it is all the lead that makes those of us from the Silver Valley this way. . .or all the amalgam in our teeth from supporting the local economy and eating tons of Halloween candy.)
Post a Comment