The Writing Reader
From the monthly archives: October 2011
Send to KindleBeverly Jackson started her writing career as a newspaper columnist and photo journalist for 24 years. In 1998, she published her first book, the prize-winning definitive book on the history of Chinese footbinding Splendid Slippers: A Thousand Years of an Erotic Tradition
Splendid Slippers was followed by Ladder to the Clouds: Intrigue and Tradition in Chinese Rank
Beverly will ship a personally signed copy of my Random House book Shanghai Girl Gets All Dressed Up to the winner of the non-fiction contest.
You can find Beverly at her web site: http://beverleyjackson.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter as @Chinauthor.
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Before the written word, traditions and teachings were passed on through complicated dance, rituals and reenactments:
…hunt reenactments served a purpose greater than showing off. They were instructive. With expressive pantomime, and a few props, they demonstrated hunting techniques and tactics to youngsters and other clans. It was a way of developing and sharing skills. -Jean Auel, The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth’s Children, Book One)
Writing Prompt: Write a scene where a tradition or skill was passed on via reenactment.
Journaling Prompt: Write about a time when someone taught you something through demonstration.
Art Prompt: Hunt
Nonfiction / Speech Writing Prompt: Teach your audience a lesson via re-enactment.
Photo Credit: M Hillier on Flickr
Send to KindleSend to KindleWelcome to the October 30, 2011, edition of the Carnival of Creativity. Please click through these links and show some love by commenting.
The Creative Mindset
Mary Louise challenges us to Share Strength posted at Fit and Feisty.
Eirini H. shares Eirini’s Manual on How to Live an Awsome Life at Ask your Dreams for Ideas.
Sharing Our Work
CE presents his defense of living creatively in Going forward by going back posted at Killing the Blank Page.
Heather presents the hysterical story, Why Walmart Hates Me, at Creative Devolution. This is a blog to watch!
Creativity Boosts
Joe Tichio has collected some wonderful Creativity Quotes at his Inspirational Quotes Blog. I love quotes, so this is one of my favorites of the week.
That’s all for this week. Be sure to submit your article for next week’s Carnival of Creativity by Friday at midnight!
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Is it any wonder we’re all stressed out? This sounds like a vicious cycle to me!
“A co-worker’s rudeness can have a great impact on relationships far beyond the workplace, according to a Baylor University study published online in the Journal of Organizational Behavior. Findings suggest that stress created by incivility can be so intense that, at the end of the day, it is taken home by the worker and impacts the well-being of the worker’s family and partner, who in turn takes the stress to his/her workplace.” -Science Daily
Writing Prompt: Write a scene that illustrates at least one part of the cycle described above.
Journaling Prompt: Write about a time when a co-worker’s rudeness cause you to feel stressed.
Art Prompt: Rude!
Nonfiction / Speech Writing Prompt: Write about the problem of rudeness in today’s culture and suggestion a solution.
Photo Credit: meddygarnet on Flickr
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“This time, there would be no witnesses.” Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Writing Prompt: Write something starting with or based on the first line of the week.
Journaling Prompt: What did you do that you wish no one had witnessed.
Art Prompt: No Witnesses
Photo Credit: seier+seier on Flickr
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badinage n. [mass noun] humorous or witty conversation: he developed a nice line in badinage with the Labour leader. mid 17th century: from French, from badiner ‘to joke’, from badin ‘fool’, based on Provençal badar ‘gape
Writing Prompt: Write a scene, poem, or haiku using the word badinage.
Journaling Prompt: Write about a witty conversation you had recently. What made it so much fun?
Art Prompt: Badinage
Photo Credit: eye2eye on Flickr
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A universal truth:
“There is never a way to fully outrun our beginnings.” -Christopher Barzak, Smoke City
Writing Prompt: Write about a character trying to escape their beginnings.
Journaling Prompt: What would you like to leave behind?
Art Prompt: Outrun
Photo Credit: ~Shanth on Flickr
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Some people are natural leaders, but it’s important to know whether their leadership derives from a motivation of service or narcissism.
“Narcissism can sometimes be useful in a leader, says Nevicka. In a crisis, for instance, people feel that a strong, dominant person will take control and do the right thing, ‘and that may reduce uncertainty and diminish stress.’
“But in the everyday life of an organization, ‘communication — sharing of information, perspectives, and knowledge — is essential to making good decisions. In brainstorming groups, project teams, government committees, each person brings something new. That’s the benefit of teams. That’s what creates a good outcome.’ Good leaders facilitate communication by asking questions and summarizing the conversation — something narcissists are too self-involved to do.
“Nevicka says the research has implications beyond the workplace — for instance, in politics. ‘Narcissists are very convincing. They do tend to be picked as leaders. There’s the danger: that people can be so wrong based on how others project themselves. You have to ask: Are the competencies they project valid, or are they merely in the eyes of the beholder?’” -Science Daily
Writing Prompt: Create a character sketch for both a servant leader and a narcissistic leader. How do they differ?
Journaling Prompt: Write about leaders you have worked with and their motivations.
Art Prompt: Narcissistic leader
Photo Credit: Beverly & Pack on Flickr
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Yes, it’s another dog picture.
“The world is already weirder and stupider than you could ever have guessed.” -William Gibson, Spook Country
Writing Prompt: Write a scene from real life that shows how the world is weird and/or stupid.
Journaling Prompt: What is the weirdest thing that ever happened to you?
Art Prompt: Weird
Photo Credit: r0sita on Flickr
Send to KindleSend to KindleNicola Sompayrac has graciously offered to sponsor the poetry category in the 100 Prompts in 100 Days contest. Nicola is offering a product that has changed her life.
“I am a newly created health and nutrition enthusiast fascinated by the healing power of Ayurveda. I have found that one healthy choice does in fact lead to another when health and well being are given priority and value. It is with a very calm excitement and appreciation for this sponsorship opportunity that I offer this unique and transformative wellness product as prize in the Writing Reader 100 Prompts in 100 Days Contest!”
She is offering Zrii, the Original Amalaki Antioxidant Beverage, a $40 retail value.
Zrii Amalaki, provides you with a daily dose of powerful, all-natural nutrition that improves digestion, enhances immune functioning, and increases cellular rejuvenation.
What does this mean? You feel lighter and more vibrant. You reap the benefits of all-natural anti-aging technology. You get a robust dose of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. You get sick less often. You might even notice that your daily dose of Zrii inspires you to make other, healthier choices throughout your day.
“If I had to choose one product to use everyday for the rest of my life – it would be Amalaki.” – Deepak Chopra, co-founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing and co-formulator of the Zrii product line
To learn more about the ingredients in Zrii, visit My Zrii.
Download a FREE Ayurvedic Lifestyle Guide.
Check out the Transform Your Body, Transform Your Life: Z-Body Challenge. 10, 30 and 90 day winners!
Show Nicola some love by visiting her on Facebook or following her on Twitter.
Send to KindleWelcome to the Writing Reader
I believe that the most important thing about writing is to HAVE FUN! You can worry about things like commas, point of view, tenses, etc., later. Right now, just start writing!
If you respond to one of the prompts on your blog, be sure to come back here and put the link in the comment section for that prompt. Share your brilliance!
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