This is the last prompt for a time.
The Absinthe Road is going on haitus.
This post marks 2 years. and I feel that it is time for a re-assessment. re-organization. re-purposing.
I was thinking the other day about confidence. how even the most confident, beautiful, amazing people, have their insecurities.
How, on the outside, someone may exude confidence and security. but their secret may be that they hate their thighs. their teeth. their nose.
Prompt #104: For today's prompt I want you to take your insecurity...and glorify it. find the "something beautiful" in the thing you dislike most about yourself.
The biggest and most heartfelt thank you to those who have followed and congratulations on all you have written.
and if you'd like...check out my daily blog at Things I Love - 365 days
Showing posts with label writing prompts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing prompts. Show all posts
Monday, April 23, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
crawling down your sleeves...
It seems to me that those songs that have been any good, I have nothing much to do with the writing of them. The words have just crawled down my sleeve and come out on the page. ~ Joan Baez
I have always felt this way about my poetry...as though, when writing...I am channeling the stars.
There is something magical in writing. it's almost hypnotic.
Prompt #103: does your writing crawl down your sleeve? let it.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Popcorn pops again...
Prompt #102: use the following words in a poem or other creative piece...
Vacillate. Corruption. Distance. Voice. Challenge. Determination.
Vacillate. Corruption. Distance. Voice. Challenge. Determination.
Monday, April 2, 2012
write write write!
It's April.
It's National Poetry Month.
and Robert Lee Brewer is at it again. It's the 5th annual April Poetry challenge.
every day this month, Robert will be posting a prompt. and really, it doesn't have to be poetry specific. you can take the prompt and fly anywhere with it.
or choose any of the multitudes of April challenge prompts that happen to be out there. what's important is that you are inspired to write.
so...
Prompt #101: pick a National Poetry Month prompt and write write write! get poeming. get noveling. get writing!
It's National Poetry Month.
and Robert Lee Brewer is at it again. It's the 5th annual April Poetry challenge.
every day this month, Robert will be posting a prompt. and really, it doesn't have to be poetry specific. you can take the prompt and fly anywhere with it.
or choose any of the multitudes of April challenge prompts that happen to be out there. what's important is that you are inspired to write.
so...
Prompt #101: pick a National Poetry Month prompt and write write write! get poeming. get noveling. get writing!
Monday, March 26, 2012
3KD
It's my 100th post.
I feel like I should do something special.
so, on a whim...your prompt is this:
Prompt #100: email me at karen(at)karenegreene(dot)com and tell me why you'd like to have a copy of my poetry collection Three Thousand Doors. I will randomly pick a winner and announce next week.
I feel like I should do something special.
so, on a whim...your prompt is this:
Prompt #100: email me at karen(at)karenegreene(dot)com and tell me why you'd like to have a copy of my poetry collection Three Thousand Doors. I will randomly pick a winner and announce next week.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Invisible ink...
The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible. ~Vladimir Nabokov
Prompt #99: What will you put on that blank page today? Look out your window, look in your front yard...or the back yard. look down the street...start writing about the first thing your eyes land on. poem it. song it. essay it.
Prompt #99: What will you put on that blank page today? Look out your window, look in your front yard...or the back yard. look down the street...start writing about the first thing your eyes land on. poem it. song it. essay it.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Lyrical Inspiration...
Think of some of your favourite songs.
pick 5.
take the first three or four words of each of those 5 songs and use them as a writing prompt. finish the sentence. write a story. poem. song.
or you can use mine.
Prompt #98: 1) Give me a second... 2) There's some kind of... 3) We were born before... 4) You look like... 5) And so it is...
pick 5.
take the first three or four words of each of those 5 songs and use them as a writing prompt. finish the sentence. write a story. poem. song.
or you can use mine.
Prompt #98: 1) Give me a second... 2) There's some kind of... 3) We were born before... 4) You look like... 5) And so it is...
Monday, March 5, 2012
Unfinished...
I have a "problem" people. I tend to have a million ideas.
I act on many. but so many are unfinished projects.
and really, that's not a bad thing. some things need to simmer a bit before we come back to them and bring them full circle. that's totally okay.
but sometimes, we need to leaf through those thousands of started projects, and pick one to work on and finish. so that we can pick the next one to work on and finish. and so one. and so on.
Prompt #97: Do you have a project you've started but haven't finished yet? is today the day? do it.
I act on many. but so many are unfinished projects.
and really, that's not a bad thing. some things need to simmer a bit before we come back to them and bring them full circle. that's totally okay.
but sometimes, we need to leaf through those thousands of started projects, and pick one to work on and finish. so that we can pick the next one to work on and finish. and so one. and so on.
Prompt #97: Do you have a project you've started but haven't finished yet? is today the day? do it.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday/Tuesday...can't trust that day
So...around 2:00 this afternoon, I realised I'd missed a day. sigh. I've been doing this Monday blog for nearly two years now. and I've been consistent. writing every single Monday.
and somehow I lost a day.
I feel terrible.
not that it's the most terrible thing I've ever done, but it sure made me feel guilty like it was one of the most terrible things I've ever done.
Prompt #96: Write about the most terrible thing you've ever done.
and somehow I lost a day.
I feel terrible.
not that it's the most terrible thing I've ever done, but it sure made me feel guilty like it was one of the most terrible things I've ever done.
Prompt #96: Write about the most terrible thing you've ever done.
Monday, February 20, 2012
We are family...
I'm sitting at my friend Sarah's computer, because I still don't have internet at my new apartment. It's coming this week.
lack of internet certainly has presented a few posting challenges, but I think I've managed to conquer them pretty well.
so...I'm sitting here in Sarah's precious little house, which is currently full of toys and children and noise and television, and adult conversation, and baby cooing. and it is the most blissful cacophony of beautiful noise.
because it is love. surrounding, encompassing, down-to-earth, unconditional. love. her house is always filled with love.
I met Sarah when I went back to college at age 28. she was 18. we hit it off almost immediately. actually, we hit it off when I chose her for my interview partner in our journalism class.
she had super short, hot pink hair, gauges in her ears, tattoos...and I knew she was the one person in the class I really wanted to know.
after that we were pretty much inseparable. Long-lost sisters. so much so that people think we actually share familial blood.
sometimes, we're lucky enough to find those people who are "family" without being blood. and that makes us pretty lucky.
Prompt #95: Write about family. chosen or born to.
lack of internet certainly has presented a few posting challenges, but I think I've managed to conquer them pretty well.
so...I'm sitting here in Sarah's precious little house, which is currently full of toys and children and noise and television, and adult conversation, and baby cooing. and it is the most blissful cacophony of beautiful noise.
because it is love. surrounding, encompassing, down-to-earth, unconditional. love. her house is always filled with love.
I met Sarah when I went back to college at age 28. she was 18. we hit it off almost immediately. actually, we hit it off when I chose her for my interview partner in our journalism class.
she had super short, hot pink hair, gauges in her ears, tattoos...and I knew she was the one person in the class I really wanted to know.
after that we were pretty much inseparable. Long-lost sisters. so much so that people think we actually share familial blood.
sometimes, we're lucky enough to find those people who are "family" without being blood. and that makes us pretty lucky.
Prompt #95: Write about family. chosen or born to.
Monday, February 13, 2012
a quote is a quote is a quote...but if it inspires...it is bliss
Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. ~ Mark Twain
Find your greatness. embrace your greatness. never let anyone squash your dream.
go. go. go!
Prompt #94: What did you write this past week? what are you going to write this week? Find a publication for it...submit your work. be brave. be unafraid. Go!
Find your greatness. embrace your greatness. never let anyone squash your dream.
go. go. go!
Prompt #94: What did you write this past week? what are you going to write this week? Find a publication for it...submit your work. be brave. be unafraid. Go!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Red Dresses
I'm totally and completely head over heels for The Bloggess.
so much so, that it's not enough to write about her on my other blog, I feel I also need to share her here.
This woman is so...awesome! she is inspiring. uplifting. brave. witty. crazy. passionate. and wicked cool.
She gets an idea...blogs about it, and these ideas take off! fly into the upper atmosphere and clear out into space.
you must go read all about the Traveling Red Dress. if you're not totally amazed and at least a wee bit inspired, I'm sorry, but you are a dullard and you have no soul.
I'm kidding, you're not soulless.
but truly, this is one of those reminders that there is GOOD in the world. and after scrolling through the news headlines day after day, headlines that are full of tragedy and bad news, it's nice to have a ray of sunshine.
Prompt #92: What is your red dress?
so much so, that it's not enough to write about her on my other blog, I feel I also need to share her here.
This woman is so...awesome! she is inspiring. uplifting. brave. witty. crazy. passionate. and wicked cool.
She gets an idea...blogs about it, and these ideas take off! fly into the upper atmosphere and clear out into space.
you must go read all about the Traveling Red Dress. if you're not totally amazed and at least a wee bit inspired, I'm sorry, but you are a dullard and you have no soul.
I'm kidding, you're not soulless.
but truly, this is one of those reminders that there is GOOD in the world. and after scrolling through the news headlines day after day, headlines that are full of tragedy and bad news, it's nice to have a ray of sunshine.
Prompt #92: What is your red dress?
Monday, January 23, 2012
It's a popcorn prompt...
I'm a fan of the popcorn prompt.
take 5 or 6 random words and create a poem from them. I've done several works this way before...it's a good way to stoke those creative fires when you're a wee bit stumped.
so today...
Prompt #91: write a poem (story, essay, or whatever suits your fancy, using the following words: Pragmatic. Flock. Doorway. Spice. Simple. Lonely.
take 5 or 6 random words and create a poem from them. I've done several works this way before...it's a good way to stoke those creative fires when you're a wee bit stumped.
so today...
Prompt #91: write a poem (story, essay, or whatever suits your fancy, using the following words: Pragmatic. Flock. Doorway. Spice. Simple. Lonely.
Monday, January 16, 2012
A quick prompt...
My step-father is headed into emergency surgery. My mind is a little bit elsewhere.
**update 1.17.12: They chose to delay surgery - but have not totally ruled it out. They kept him overnight for observation and are running more tests today. pokes, prods, swallow this pill, dye injections. fun stuff. (not)
Prompt #90: Use the following as the first line of a poem, essay, short story, etc...
"The last time the sky was this shade of grey..."
**update 1.17.12: They chose to delay surgery - but have not totally ruled it out. They kept him overnight for observation and are running more tests today. pokes, prods, swallow this pill, dye injections. fun stuff. (not)
Prompt #90: Use the following as the first line of a poem, essay, short story, etc...
"The last time the sky was this shade of grey..."
Monday, January 9, 2012
Ode to Wine
So I love wine. and today I stumbled upon this lovely little Ode in praise of wine - which then compares wine to love, and I thought "perfect! this is my prompt today!" But first, I have to share the Ode with you.
Ode To Wine
by Pablo Neruda
Day-colored wine,
night-colored wine,
wine with purple feet
or wine with topaz blood,
wine,
starry child
of earth,
wine, smooth
as a golden sword,
soft
as lascivious velvet,
wine, spiral-seashelled
and full of wonder,
amorous,
marine;
never has one goblet contained you,
one song, one man,
you are choral, gregarious,
at the least, you must be shared.
At times
you feed on mortal
memories;
your wave carries us
from tomb to tomb,
stonecutter of icy sepulchers,
and we weep
transitory tears;
your
glorious
spring dress
is different,
blood rises through the shoots,
wind incites the day,
nothing is left
of your immutable soul.
Wine
stirs the spring, happiness
bursts through the earth like a plant,
walls crumble,
and rocky cliffs,
chasms close,
as song is born.
A jug of wine, and thou beside me
in the wilderness,
sang the ancient poet.
Let the wine pitcher
add to the kiss of love its own.
My darling, suddenly
the line of your hip
becomes the brimming curve
of the wine goblet,
your breast is the grape cluster,
your nipples are the grapes,
the gleam of spirits lights your hair,
and your navel is a chaste seal
stamped on the vessel of your belly,
your love an inexhaustible
cascade of wine,
light that illuminates my senses,
the earthly splendor of life.
But you are more than love,
the fiery kiss,
the heat of fire,
more than the wine of life;
you are
the community of man,
translucency,
chorus of discipline,
abundance of flowers.
I like on the table,
when we're speaking,
the light of a bottle
of intelligent wine.
Drink it,
and remember in every
drop of gold,
in every topaz glass,
in every purple ladle,
that autumn labored
to fill the vessel with wine;
and in the ritual of his office,
let the simple man remember
to think of the soil and of his duty,
to propagate the canticle of the wine.
Prompt #89: Write an ode to one of your favourite things
Ode To Wine
by Pablo Neruda
Day-colored wine,
night-colored wine,
wine with purple feet
or wine with topaz blood,
wine,
starry child
of earth,
wine, smooth
as a golden sword,
soft
as lascivious velvet,
wine, spiral-seashelled
and full of wonder,
amorous,
marine;
never has one goblet contained you,
one song, one man,
you are choral, gregarious,
at the least, you must be shared.
At times
you feed on mortal
memories;
your wave carries us
from tomb to tomb,
stonecutter of icy sepulchers,
and we weep
transitory tears;
your
glorious
spring dress
is different,
blood rises through the shoots,
wind incites the day,
nothing is left
of your immutable soul.
Wine
stirs the spring, happiness
bursts through the earth like a plant,
walls crumble,
and rocky cliffs,
chasms close,
as song is born.
A jug of wine, and thou beside me
in the wilderness,
sang the ancient poet.
Let the wine pitcher
add to the kiss of love its own.
My darling, suddenly
the line of your hip
becomes the brimming curve
of the wine goblet,
your breast is the grape cluster,
your nipples are the grapes,
the gleam of spirits lights your hair,
and your navel is a chaste seal
stamped on the vessel of your belly,
your love an inexhaustible
cascade of wine,
light that illuminates my senses,
the earthly splendor of life.
But you are more than love,
the fiery kiss,
the heat of fire,
more than the wine of life;
you are
the community of man,
translucency,
chorus of discipline,
abundance of flowers.
I like on the table,
when we're speaking,
the light of a bottle
of intelligent wine.
Drink it,
and remember in every
drop of gold,
in every topaz glass,
in every purple ladle,
that autumn labored
to fill the vessel with wine;
and in the ritual of his office,
let the simple man remember
to think of the soil and of his duty,
to propagate the canticle of the wine.
Prompt #89: Write an ode to one of your favourite things
Monday, January 2, 2012
365 days...
So wow! I'm doing it.
I started my new project.
Things I Love - 365 days
check it out. if you will.
Prompt #88: Be doing what you love. If you're not...make some changes. We should all do what we love.
I started my new project.
Things I Love - 365 days
check it out. if you will.
Prompt #88: Be doing what you love. If you're not...make some changes. We should all do what we love.
Monday, December 26, 2011
almost there...
I know I promised an announcement today in regard to the new blog project, but instead, I have had a low-grade cold for a week that has my head all fuzzy and un-thinky and I can barely even enjoy my wine.
so, instead...I'm going to post the new bloggy infos sometime before Sunday (because that is when the new project starts) and today I am going to ask you the old cheesy stand-by...(because I really can't come up with anything creative this evening. I'm sorry.)
Oh! and I'm also going to suggest you listen to this version of Auld Lang Syne - because I think it's the loveliest version I've ever heard.
Prompt #87: What's your New Year's Resolution?
so, instead...I'm going to post the new bloggy infos sometime before Sunday (because that is when the new project starts) and today I am going to ask you the old cheesy stand-by...(because I really can't come up with anything creative this evening. I'm sorry.)
Oh! and I'm also going to suggest you listen to this version of Auld Lang Syne - because I think it's the loveliest version I've ever heard.
Prompt #87: What's your New Year's Resolution?
Monday, December 19, 2011
a new project...
No worries...I'm not dropping this one...I'm just beginning a new one on January 1st, in addition to this blog.
The new project is yet unnamed, but it is my own personal take on Stephan Cox's Thing A Day Project. He challenged me a few months back to do TAD in 2012, and I've been moiling and mooshing over how I want to attack that little (BIG) challenge.
And I think I've figured it out.
So look for an announcement next week - I'll direct you to the new site, and I will begin on January 1.
Kind of excited. Kind of freaked out. But...just like Stephan's project "Shit that scares me" I think it's a good idea to go ahead and face the fear and take on new challenges. Stephan...pass me that torch!
Prompt #86: Pick a challenge for yourself. do something uber creative in 2012.
The new project is yet unnamed, but it is my own personal take on Stephan Cox's Thing A Day Project. He challenged me a few months back to do TAD in 2012, and I've been moiling and mooshing over how I want to attack that little (BIG) challenge.
And I think I've figured it out.
So look for an announcement next week - I'll direct you to the new site, and I will begin on January 1.
Kind of excited. Kind of freaked out. But...just like Stephan's project "Shit that scares me" I think it's a good idea to go ahead and face the fear and take on new challenges. Stephan...pass me that torch!
Prompt #86: Pick a challenge for yourself. do something uber creative in 2012.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Things (people, places) I love in 400 words...
Thank you, Tanya Geisler for the inspiration...
My sweet (15 year old) baby boy. The perfect silence that follows a fresh snow. Long talks with best friends. Bottles of wine shared with Kaci & Shannon. Dark dark chocolate. The perfect Italian dinner. Incredible breathtaking sunsets. The smell of the ocean. Anna’s laugh. A really great day spent with the camera and my sweetheart. Dance. Texts that say “I love you Mom”. Cheese. Bread. Dancing Matt on youtube. Music that makes me cry. Music that makes me smile. Music that makes me laugh. Road trips with Kaci. Morning text time with my Mom. Surprise gifties “just because”. Highland Coffee Company. Crème Brulee with surprise raspberries. Hugs. Kisses. Wearing the perfect outfit. Having an “I’m amazing!” kind of day. Feeling beautiful. Hugging a tree. Knowing I’m loved. Writing a great poem. Walking barefoot on super soft damp grass. Getting back in touch with long lost friends. Elephants. Cream Cheese and Wheat Thins. Smiles from people I love. Smiles from strangers. Laughing until my belly hurts and tears stream down my face. Super soft comfy blankets. Kitties purring. Wind in my hair. The first hint of Spring. The vibrant colours of fall. The perfect sweater. Phone calls that leave me smiling. My jobs. Bath & Body Works lip gloss. Maddie singing her abc’s to me. Muffin’s smiley face when I plant a thousand kisses on her forehead. Bri screaming “Auntie Karen! I missed you so much!”. My Polar Bear. The friends I can say anything to. Warm rain New Orleans style. Blue cheese stuffed green olives. Hopptini’s. Eastwick. Swingsets. Being back in Louisville and feeling completely happy every time I see the skyline. Driving across the country. Christmas lights. Walking along the Puget Sound. Port Townsend and Better Living Through Coffee’s Chai Latte. The fact that “I’m Henry the 8th I am Henry the 8th I am I am” can make me smile every time I think about it. Being told I’m the “awesomest”. Watching my favourite movies. Leaves crunching under my feet. Caterpillars and ladybugs. Singing and laughing with Kathi. Finding something I thought I’d lost. Baking something from scratch that makes someone happy. Getting a new tattoo. Taking a long bath with a great book and a glass of wine. Waking up with music in my head. The unconditional love of life-long friends. My family – those I was lucky enough to pick and those linked by blood. This.
Prompt #85: Your turn. write your own "things I love in 400 words." It's not as easy as it seems, but it is oh so worth it!
Monday, December 5, 2011
real life...
I've mentioned this a couple times already, but I'm going to say it again...it's been a rough year...or so.
This blog has helped me to express some of the emotions wrapped up tightly in the little fortress of me, but I still proceed with caution. I admit that I'm slightly jealous of those who can just put it all out there. Mind you, I like to see it written succinctly and straight forward as opposed to a 20 paragraph whiny diatribe, but there is something beautiful about bleeding without concern.
I've always been a smile-on-the-outside-bleed-on-the-inside kinda gal. I choose very carefully when it comes to my sounding boards, and how much I decide to share at a particular moment. It doesn't mean I don't trust my friends - my friends are truly among the great loves of my life - but I've often chosen to just work through my struggles on my own.
That said...It's been a melancholy year. One full of change, and heartbreak - moving, finding a new job, working my ass off, missing my kid, and often feeling a bit lost in this maze, trying to figure out who the hell I am. It's that empty nest thing...I've been a mom for so many years, completely wrapped up in my kid, and when he moved out...I was left with...what?
so, I've been sifting through my emotions, and "checking the horizon," and re-learning my role as a mother in this new format.
One of my touchstones shared this song with me a while back...and it's been in my head all day...so I figured it was a good time to share it with you.
Colin Hay "Waiting for my real life to begin"
Prompt #84: "I have an existential map. It has 'You are here' written all over it." ~ Steven Wright. right? write!
This blog has helped me to express some of the emotions wrapped up tightly in the little fortress of me, but I still proceed with caution. I admit that I'm slightly jealous of those who can just put it all out there. Mind you, I like to see it written succinctly and straight forward as opposed to a 20 paragraph whiny diatribe, but there is something beautiful about bleeding without concern.
I've always been a smile-on-the-outside-bleed-on-the-inside kinda gal. I choose very carefully when it comes to my sounding boards, and how much I decide to share at a particular moment. It doesn't mean I don't trust my friends - my friends are truly among the great loves of my life - but I've often chosen to just work through my struggles on my own.
That said...It's been a melancholy year. One full of change, and heartbreak - moving, finding a new job, working my ass off, missing my kid, and often feeling a bit lost in this maze, trying to figure out who the hell I am. It's that empty nest thing...I've been a mom for so many years, completely wrapped up in my kid, and when he moved out...I was left with...what?
so, I've been sifting through my emotions, and "checking the horizon," and re-learning my role as a mother in this new format.
One of my touchstones shared this song with me a while back...and it's been in my head all day...so I figured it was a good time to share it with you.
Colin Hay "Waiting for my real life to begin"
Prompt #84: "I have an existential map. It has 'You are here' written all over it." ~ Steven Wright. right? write!
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