Julie R. Neidlinger: Lone Prairie Art and Writing

The right 1000 words.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

I know a picture is worth a thousand words, but I'm starting to think the words are getting short-changed.

Pictures are little more than height and width and implied depth. The right 1000 words can inspire tastes and smells and pull things from our memory that are so strong.

I was looking at a photo ID of someone recently and though the photo looked like the person, it also did not. It said nothing about the sparkle in the eye or the twitch of the mouth in full grin. It didn't capture the furrowed brow in a moment of thought. There was nothing in the ID but a pattern on a flat surface.

I should begin to practice finding that right 1000 words.

Labels: writing, writing prompts

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Suspenseful first line.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

A writing friend of mine commented on how some of my more successful Twitter messages could be the opening line of a short story or suspense novel.

I had earlier made note of how I was finding his Twitter messages about his work as a judge and a vacation cabin remodeling project hilarious enough to make into a humorous story. "You need to write a story about your work at the cabin. Or just put your twitters together in a collection," I told him. You can see what I mean when you read them.

But, back to what he told me regarding my efforts to hint at what I'm doing this summer without selling the farm... this one would probably be fun to work with:

There was a stranger sleeping on the couch this morning. How did he get there?

This message stems from this incident which, truthfully, I still don't know the answer to. However, I could have fun with it and make up the story behind it.

So could you, if you were looking for a little writing prompt to get your day going.

Labels: writing prompts

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Writing about clutter.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

I don't know why I'm such a smarta** when it comes to the writing exercises at writers' group. I always write like I'm attempting to get something in McSweeney's.

Yesterday, at writers' group, we were to write about clutter. It felt a little to general -- I tend to lean towards weird writing prompts like our next week's assignment (which I contributed via a writing prompt book), which is to write on the topic of "someone found the Venus de Milo's arms."

Anyway, clutter.

I tapped my pen on my notebook and, with little further thought, decided to try some bad poetry.

Clutter
Rhymes with stutter.
And flutter.
Butter.
Like stutter it repeats without warning
the more you try to control it
the less success you have.

Like a fluttering bird
it drops
dropping(s)
randomly.
Though usually on the nearest empty counter.

Clutter is in no way like butter.

That sucked. I tried again.

Clutter as Metaphor
Clutter is like grammar: double letters, out of control.
Clutter is like iced mocha: not really. No, it isn't.

Terrible. That's the problem with meeting in a coffee shop; everything becomes related to the iced mocha you want.

I decided to go with a list route and be done with it.

Things said upon discovering clutter:

Grandma, we thought we'd lost you.
I guess dairy products need to be refrigerated.
Hmm. A pink slip. That would explain the absence of a paycheck this week.
Let's just buy a new table.
Check out my unique filing system.
I haven't been able to find my blood pressure pills for weeks.
We have six cats but have only been able to find one for some time now.
The service plans from Best Buy seem to be breeding!
You can never have too many Hummels.
That table is my scrapbook.
Grandma, are you still there?

We had a few minutes left, so I decided to further cement my status as Most Unwilling To Participate As A Serious Writer and come up with the following beauty:

The Clutter That Wasn't
"You're room is spotless!"
"I know!"
"I guess we're done here."

Why do I write like this in writers' group, when others try to be serious and when I can be overly serious on my own blog?

I know why...

Labels: writer's group, writing prompts

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Postcard writing prompt.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

I was recently looking through the graphic novel section of the bookstore when I came upon a book that used old postcards in an intriguing way. The concept consisted of real postcards that had been purchased in antique stores -- postcards that had been written on -- being sent out to a select number of well-known graphic novel artists. Each artist used the postcard in a story of their creation. The only foundational material they had to go one was the brief and completely out-of-context message on the postcard.

I've long been fascinated by old postcards. They weren't so much mere vacation cards, but were often used (at least, the ones I've come across in my grandparent's things) as more of a brief note or card for general occasions.

So, in thinking of the idea behind the graphic novel, and my general curiosity about the stories I've seen hinted at in real postcards, stories summed up in a few words and little explanation, I decided to come up with a worksheet and writing exercise for you. You get a chance to write a back-story for a faux postcard, plus you have three printable postcards that you can write on yourself. The beauty of the postcard, as well as its curse, is that you have to be brief. Your words have to work hard, since there is little space to be flowery. Postcards force the editor in you, and help cut the purple prose.

Get the Postcard Writing Prompt worksheet. (PDF)

Labels: free stuff, writing prompts

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For those who love to write.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

If you like to write, or are even brave enough to consider yourself a writer, then you're at the right place. There are lots of things for writers here at Lone Prairie. Here are a few links to pages and articles that you might find interesting.

Supplies:

Ideas:

Articles on writing, and the writing life
Writing activities and ideas from writer's group
Writing prompts
Lone Prairie Sometimer writing activities
Unblock your creativity (a free worksheet!)
Tools for writers: prompts, web sites, and more
Contests

Publishing:

Get help with your self-published book (cover, layout, etc.)
Forewarned is a good thing

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NOTE: This post will be updated continuously to reflect links, products, and information as it becomes available.

Labels: writing, writing life, writing prompts

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Writing: Something is unearthed.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 1 comments link this post

Today's writers' group went a little over time so that we didn't get to do our usual ten-minute writing exercise. However, everyone did their homework assignment from last meeting. The assignment had been to write about a woman digging in her garden who discovers a sealed, ancient box. The word limit was 500 to 1200 words, and we were to provide two different endings. Though the assignment wasn't followed exactly by all, there were a few interesting developments in the stories. I've included my story in the comments, and anyone else who tried their hand at the exercise is welcome to do so as well.

As usual, we had a lot of good books on writing brought to group and lent out. One I'm enjoying is 78 reasons why your book may never be published and 14 reasons why it just might be by Pat Walsh.

Assignment: Use the quote "It's lonely out here...surrounded by all of these people" in your writing. There is no word minimum, but it is important to not go over 600 words. It's as important to learn to write tight and not go over the limit by allowing yourself the luxury of bloated writing. (This writing prompt comes from The Writer's Book of Matches)

Labels: writer's group, writing, writing prompts

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Writing: Edgar Allen Poe buys some milk and a mysterious box is found.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 2 comments link this post

The homework assignment for today's writers' group session was tricky. We were to write a mini-mystery between 500 and 1200 words. That's not a lot of space to hook a reader, build a plot, sprinkle in the mysterious and bring it all to conclusion. I've included my homework assignment in the comments section of this post. Anyone else who gave it a try is welcome to do the same.

Our ten-minute writing assignment was taken from The Writer's Book of Matches: 1,001 Prompts to Ignite Your Fiction. We were to write on the following: Due to the raven that follows him wherever he goes, a young man is convinced that something terrible is about to happen.

I'll share mine. Leave your efforts in the comments if you'd like.

Poe's Milk
by Julie R. Neidlinger
(me, trying to remember the poem off the top of my head)

Once upon a midnight dreary...

There it was again, a compressed shadow flitting behind him, closely following the two-second rule. Its darkness was still visible against the fading daylight.

...while I pondered...

"What does it want," he thought, sweaty palms clenching and unclenching the grocery list in his pocket.

It spread its dark wings and with a sharp snap of them, landed on the wrought iron fence near the sidewalk.

He kept walking, looking forward but thinking backward, focused on what was behind him.

...weak and weary...

This was too much. For milk, eggs and fabric softener he was going to have to deal with the devil. He walked faster.

...there came a tapping...

It tilted its head up, throat rippling slightly, sharp mouth opening. An off-tune rasp came out. His heart began beating faster, held in only by his rib cage. All this for groceries! He turned around and, in a dead run, headed back home.

It lifted up, a floating shadow, a moving grimace, diving after him.

He reached his front porch and threw open the screen door.

...at my chamber door...

It sat there, watching him through the screen, moving with sharp twists of its neck. Its dark eyes watched him silently, as eyes are prone to do, seeing everything.

There'd be no milk tonight.

The raven rippled its wings, relaxed its legs and settled onto the porch. The evening darkened around him converging shadow upon shadow, leaving his shiny eyes the only movement.

There'd be no milk. Nevermore.

Assignment: If you're in the mood to try, our prompt for next week sounds like fun. It's from The Writer's Book of Matches, but we've added our own twist. A woman digging in her garden uncovers a sealed, ancient box. Write between 500-1200 words. Provide two different endings.

Labels: writer's group, writing, writing prompts

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Writing: We laughed, we cried, and we chose between the lesser of two evils.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 2 comments link this post

Today's writers group was oddly gory.

This, of course, was not the intention.

I shared some of my writing from a few years back on this blog, and a few members of our group dug up some of their old writing, back when they were in high school.

Bill's selection was a report he'd written on embalming. The report was both well-written and very detailed and suddenly my hot chocolate just didn't seem to taste so great. Throughout the rest of the meeting, in both off-topic discussion and in written exercise, the theme of blood and gore seemed to pop up in the strangest places. I'm not sure the other patrons of the coffee shop, if they could hear us in the back room, appreciated it.

The writing assignment from the last meeting, however, brought us back to the lighter side of things. John's short essay involved two hilarious neighbors, a plum tree and dog crap; he had the entire group laughing and he was laughing so much that at times he couldn't read. I told him to post what he'd written in the comments section here on this blog, so we'll see if he does. (Hint, hint).

Our 10-minute writing exercise for today's meeting was to write about a character who must choose between the lesser of two evils, a prompt taken from The Writer's Block: 786 Ideas to Jump-Start Your Imagination by Jason Rekulak.

As always, I'll include my efforts. I'd love to hear from others who try it.

Right or Left
by Julie R. Neidlinger

Right or left? The choice was too much. He paused.

Left or right, right or left.

If I go right I'll have to deal with the left, he thought. And if I go left, the right won't leave me alone.

He picked up the number two pencil again, tapping it against his lips. Just one circle was all he had to commit to.

Going right had it's appealing benefits, there was no doubt in his mind. But left? There were unions on the left.

The pencil felt heavy in his hand; he wished it would make the choice for him.

The sound of metal rings scraping along a curtain bar brought him out of his stupor.

I must decide, and soon! he thought frantically. If only he weren't from North Dakota. This wouldn't be an issue, this free choice that haunted him.

Left or right.

He placed the pencil on the paper and wrote in Daffy Duck. His ballot was complete. He was free to go.

Assignment: Your homework, should you decide to accept it, is to write a mini-mystery between 500 and 1200 words. I got this idea from a book I bought this week called 100 Malicious Little Mysteries where all the mysteries are one or two pages in length and great for when you have just a tiny bit of time to catch some reading. This assignment will be a tough challenge; writing a good mystery with few words sounds difficult. So have at it!

Labels: writer's group, writing, writing prompts

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Writing: Writing about shoes, and an assignment.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 2 comments link this post

The writing exercise at today's Lake Region Writers' Group meeting was, strangely, about shoes.

Borrowing a writing prompt from The Pocket Muse: Ideas and Inspirations for Writing by Monica Wood, our 10-minute challenge was seemingly simple. Write a scene in which a pair of shoes figures prominently.

We had one member write a detailed descriptive scene on giving a spit shine, and two wrote about shoes as evidence in a crime scene. I'll include my efforts below to give you an idea of how you don't have to write like Faulkner just to take part in an exercise. As always, I encourage you to use the comments section to include your efforts and ideas.

Short
by Julie R. Neidlinger

"You didn't walk a mile," she said. "You have no idea."

The short man -- he was barely four feet tall -- shook his head. "I couldn't walk a mile. They don't fit. Besides, I'm British."

"Are you against wearing leather?" she asked.

"No."

"-- because these are leatherette."

"It has nothing to do with what they're made out of," he said, standing up as tall as he could, his stocking-clad feet in the first stages of a chillblaines attack. "You're taller than me. They didn't fit."

She narrowed her eyes. "Then you can't tell me anything; no advice, no judgement."

"Just because I'm short doesn't mean you shouldn't listen to my good advice."

"I'm not against being short," she said.

The man shifted his cold feet. The woman went on.

"Until you've walked a mile in my shoes, you don't get to say anything."

The short man shook his head sadly. He'd never dreamed his height would be such a disability when he had decided to become a priest.

Assignment: The writing group actually wanted me to give them homework, and because power trips are my favorite travel destinations, I obliged. Taking a prompt from the same book by Wood, the assignment for the next meeting is to write about an escalating dispute between two normally polite, upstanding neighbors. The word count should come in somewhere around 500 words. If you get it done, feel free to post your efforts in the comments section.

Labels: writer's group, writing, writing prompts

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Writing: Writing about murder.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

Though only four members of the writing group braved the near-zero temperatures and icy wind and made their way to the Liquid Bean for our regular meeting, we had a great time.

John brought yet another great book which of course, I quickly grabbed up. He's turning into my regular lending library. You might want to check out the book: The First Five Pages: A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile by Noah Lukeman.

After the usual discussion on what we've been working on, we got to the writing exercise. I got today's topic out of The Writer's Block: 786 Ideas to Jump-Start your Imagination by Jason Rekulak.

The challenge? To write for ten minutes using the following for inspiration: Write from the point-of-view of someone who committed a murder today. Do not mention the murder.

I'll share mine below; it's not great, and that's the point. This was an exercise. I encourage others to share what their own version of this writing exercise in the comments below. Even if you couldn't make it to our writers' group, you can still get in on the fun.

Tart
by Julie R. Neidlinger

The apple tarts had a metallic taste; the weren't up to their usual snuff.

"What's wrong with these tarts?" he asked the waitress behind the diner counter. He didn't bother listening to her reply.

Pennies. The apple tarts tasted like pennies in his mouth.

She was a tart, he thought, his fork scraping against the plate. Tart.

The woman in the red booth across the diner caught his attention. He watched as she poured ketchup over a mound of French fries; thick, red, congealed.

He was angry. His shadow seemed even darker in the bright sun light.

He reached for the slice of bread on the plate next to him, left from his meal of hamburger steak, rare. His knife scraped and cut across the soft surface of the bread, the stiff butter snagging and tearing it. With a sharp jab, he plunged his table knife deep into the heart of the block of butter, scooting the plate across the counter surface with a loud, grating snap.

"Can I get you anything else?" the waitress asked warily.

Tart.

Labels: writer's group, writing, writing prompts

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Writing: An article, an assignment and some recommendations.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

The most recent meeting of the Lake Region Writers' Group was small (three regular members and a visitor) but productive.

First, we told ourselves how awesome we were for finishing up NaNo (four out of five of us did it, and that's none to shabby). One member even printed out the certificate that NaNo made available to those who had complete their 50,000 word novels and had it laminated. I'm going to have mine embedded in a brass placque and hung outside my door.

No, I'm not. But I am still reveling in pride over my personal triumph.

Newspaper article: In talking about the past month of frantic writing, we decided that I would write a short article for the local newspaper telling them about NaNo. You can read the article here (MS Word format, click on NaNo Article.doc).

Homework assignment: We also decided that I would email out a "homework" assignment to all the members of our group, not only the people that show up for meetings but also the many members of our Yahoo! group who are unable to come to our meetings. I decided I would also email the same "homework" assignment to my own Lone Prairie Group and see what kind of response I could get. If you decide to take part and are unable to make it to a meeting of the Lake Region Writers' Group, I encourage you to leave your written efforts in the comments section of this blog post.

Think of it as attending the writers' group by proxy. Anyway, here's the assignment. If you're reading this, whether you're a member of any of these groups or not, you are more than welcome to give them a try!

1. The Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest: Basically, bad writing is rewarded. Check out their website for more information on the details. It's fairly self-explanatory and our group will be working on this for the next few months. The official contest deadline is mid-April, but we are asking members of our group (and non-members, too!) to either bring a few samples to the next meeting or post them here, in the comments section. Write both a worst opening line and a best opening line.

2. Write the best opening "hook" paragraph of a story or novel. There is a 250 word limit on this paragraph. Basic goal? Hook your reader big time in the first paragraph.

Book recommendations: Various members of the writing group bring books and other materials to meetings if they think others might find them useful. You can download a list of these books at the writers' group site or at my own Lone Prairie group site. (MS Word format, click on LRWG Book Recommendations.doc)

Labels: writer's group, writing, writing prompts

The right 1000 words.

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Suspenseful first line.

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Writing about clutter.

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Postcard writing prompt.

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For those who love to write.

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Writing: Something is unearthed.

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Writing: Edgar Allen Poe buys some milk and a mysterious box is found.

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Writing: We laughed, we cried, and we chose between the lesser of two evils.

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Writing: Writing about shoes, and an assignment.

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Writing: Writing about murder.

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Writing: An article, an assignment and some recommendations.

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