This meme was started by Delores a long time ago. Words for Wednesday are now provided by a number of people and has become a moveable feast.
Essentially the aim is to encourage us to write. Each week we are given a choice of prompts,which can be words, phrases, music or an image. What we do with them is up to us: a short story, prose, a song, a poem or treating them with ignore. We can use some or all of the prompts.
Some of us put our creations on the post and others post on their own blog. I would really like as many people as possible to join the meme, which includes cheering on other participants (definitely the more the merrier). If you are posting on your own blog, please let me know so that I, and the other participants, can come along and applaud.
This week's prompt is:
There is a door with a single keyhole - it will open regardless of what key you
use to unlock it. All keys will open this door. What's on the other side,
however, depends on the type of key. What key will you use, and what is on the
other side of the door.
Have fun.
Huge thanks to Cindi for providing this month's prompts despite her life being difficult at the moment. I will freely admit that some of them made my brain hurt (which is not a bad thing).
Next month the prompts will be provided by Lissa on her blog.
My poor brain is going to pop trying to wrap itself around this one!
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Mind did, but possibilities are still swirling.
DeleteThis an astonishing proposition, almost fairytale like.
ReplyDeleteFriko: It could be a dark or a light fantasy too - depending on which key/door we open.
DeleteI love your post
ReplyDeleteGosia: Thank you.
DeleteHere is my thought for this week's prompt...
ReplyDelete"Compassion Key: Once the door is opened, a deep awareness of the suffering or misfortunes of others, and a sincere, determined desire to alleviate the difficulties experienced, spreads far and wide across the land...throughout the world."
Once the compassion key has been used, we may need the wisdom key so that the best ideas that will actually work well will be implemented.
DeleteCompassion Key is interesting but how do you know which one it is?
DeleteLee: The compassion key is one that a lot of us need (as is the key of wisdom).
DeleteMy words will be over here.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: Late to the party, but with a computer again I have read and loved your story.
DeleteI will use a master key that opens all locks and everything will be on the other side.
ReplyDeleteMike: Everything includes the good, the bad, the ugly. Some days I would like to avoid the last two...
DeleteNope. Sorry. This is a challenge I'm just not up to trying this week.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I am sorry.
DeleteWe were always impetuous. Mom said no one fully experienced the chaos of life with identical twins until they lived a day around us. I remember the day it happened just like it was yesterday. We had just turned 11 and Mom and Dad were going shopping. We begged and pleaded that we were old enough to stay home by ourselves for a couple of hours. After much back and forth they decided they would leave us, since they were not going to be gone long and it was in the middle of the day. So after the list verbal of what we could, but mainly could not do, they left.
ReplyDeleteThe first time we had ever been at home with no parent or baby sitter had the house practically begging us to explore anything that had previously off limits.
Naturally the first thing was the junk drawer in the bedside table on Dad's side of their bed. I don't know what we were expecting to find. Being preteen boys we were probably hoping for something exciting. Instead we found tissues, Dad's reading glasses, lip balm, some Tums and a keyring filled with a huge assortment of strange keys. No sooner had we found the keys than Bruce mentioned The Door. The Door that we had been warned over and over never to touch.
Now you tell me, what 11 year old twins, with a set of keys and the freedom to do whatever they want would NOT try to open the door. We walked into the hall past the door to the attic, to The Door. We had no idea if we had a key to The Door or not, but we were compelled to give it a try.
The first key looked like a skeleton key, complete with a skull at the top of the key. Nah, it would not be that. We held a few keys up to the keyhole to see it it looked like they would fit. I swear to you, that keyhole changed size and shape to fit whatever key we held near it. Finally we tried an old square shaped bulky key the looked like nothing we had ever seen before.
We almost dropped the key wrestling it back and forth from each other, until Bruce, by virtue of being 7 minutes older, declared he had the right to open it, if the key would fit. He held the key near the door and we watched in amazement as the keyhole became larger to accommodate the weird key shape. He turned the key, twisted the door handle and slowly the door opened.
OMG! We had a skating rink in our house!!!
Boys will be boys. I'm glad they did not use that skeleton key!
DeleteWonderful! And thank you for participating!
Delete@Anne in the kitchen: I certainly was surprised by the skating rink - sounds like fun and the boys probably had a lot of fun with that room while their parents are away. Great use of the prompt.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
I wonder what else they could have found
DeleteAnne in the kitchen: Sometimes (every summer) I would LOVE to have an ice-skating rink. Or a pool.
DeleteHi EC - I'm afraid this is beyond me ... words I can mix, sentences are past me! Take care and good luck to everyone ... Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: Not a problem. Some prompts speak to us, and some don't. I hope you are safe and well.
DeleteThanks for this prompt. It made my writing mojo wake up again. My chapter in Susan's story is right here: Words for Wednesday
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): How wonderful. When I put the prompt up I hoped it would speak to you. Heading over now.
DeleteAnother fun idea!
ReplyDeleteNatalia: It is, isn't it?
DeleteSounds like a mystery, be interesting to think of something.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Margaret D: It would, wouldn't it?
DeleteIt's the logical equivalent of the TV's channel selector.
ReplyDeleteChoose a different channel (= a different key) and get to see different content. BORING!!!
Ole Phat Stu: I hope that (unlike television channels) there is a key to a room/world I would like to live in.
DeleteI am using a huge ornate and ancient-looking key...and it unlocks the door that leads to an alternative world...where there is only love and tolerance!❤❤❤
ReplyDeleteYgraine: Slam that door behind you and stay in that world...
DeleteI have lots of keys but they are all assigned to some particular locks.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julia
Julia: I have a lot of keys too - but some of them are a mystery to me. I would love to find the lock/door that they could open.
DeleteI have tried but I give up on this one. This is the second time I have passed on Cindi's prompts so either I am a little slow or the prompts are not good for this kind of blogging fun.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Some prompts speak to us, some do not. Which is fine.
DeleteA key that opens up a room filled to the brim with common sense would be great, too.
ReplyDeleteAnother key that opens the door to a large room filled with goodwill....
...to a room filled with respect for one's fellowman
....to a room overflowing with happiness..
The list could go on and on....I can't understand why some find this prompt difficult...
Lee: We are all different. I like your keys, but would like to open a door which leads to serenity and beauty. I doubt I would return.
DeleteOh wow! This is an interesting prompt. Have fun with this one everyone!
ReplyDeleteClick link below for my new domain. Warmly,
Elsie
Elsie Amata: While I was unavoidably absent, people DID have fun. Which is lovely.
DeleteMy apologies for everyone who felt my prompts were too challenging to participate. I pulled them from a book of prompts I received in a subscription box for authors. I have not yet worked on my own post, I have been/am working 12 hour days until next Monday, then a 2 hour drive to a doctor appointment on Tuesday which will become a day for shopping in *civilization* as well. I will write my own this evening, and promise that any future prompts I provide will be in picture form.
ReplyDeleteYour prompts were admittedly a bit on the tough side, but our brains need a workout now and then. :) Thank you for supplying them, and good luck with your busy life.
DeleteAt the beginning, I didn't like your prompts Cindi, but eventually I found them somewhat stimulating and tried to rise to the challenge.
DeleteCindi Summerlin: Huge thanks for providing the prompts this month. Yes, they were challenging but our brains need the exercise. Looking ahead, I have to say that I at least often find pictures very challenging as prompts. Some speak to us, and some do not.
DeleteI have enjoyed your challenging prompts, Cindi, although I failed miserably at one of them and had nothing to contribute. I do hope the new life you are busy planning for yourself turns out well for you, with some exciting surprises in store.
DeleteI thought your prompts were fun and inspired thought. The only reason I did not participate fully was a time issue. Even so I thought of them and "wrote" them in my mind.
DeleteI loved the prompt using the keys. We have been cleaning out my parents house and found keys galore, including an old skate key, so I had to use it.
This sounds like an easy prompt to me and yet, for some reason, I have no idea where the door leads. So many possibilities, so many choices, it's almost too wide. But I did write something with a previous character -- Koozie & The Key to Hell...Maybe
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
P.S. I have scheduled my WFW prompts to post on Tuesdays so I won't forget. Hopefully, it will work. I don't seem to have success scheduling posts so we'll see.
I read your Koosie story. It's quite mysterious, but I liked it. I hope prompts to come (your own) will brin more chapters.
Deletelissa: Like Charlotte (MotherOwl)I would really, really like to read more of Koozie's story. And I don't think the door she opened was hell.
DeleteI am not a happy camper, I wrote my story yesterday and my Word programme lost it so I have had to re-write it. However, here, for what it's worth, is my interpretation.
ReplyDeleteGriselda, the witch picked up her lantern and carried on exploring the cave system. She had just stumbled over a collection of keys but apparently there was nowhere to use them. She ventured further into the tunnels only following those which were big enough for a dragon although, sadly, these caves had not been occupied by dragons for centuries. Here and there were signs of rock falls from earthquake disturbances elsewhere and as she got further into the system, the caves became extremely warm. On her left, she noticed some cracks in the walls which seemed to outline a door. She explored the wall and after a considerable time, found a hidden niche with a lever, which, when pressed, opened the wall exposing a door. A door? In a cave? How very odd. She tried the handle but it was, of course, locked. Presumably she was carrying the key in her hand, but which key? She looked at them all one by one. Amongst them was a shiny gold key, a silver key, and an old gunky looking iron key. Taking a guess, she tried the iron one and found she had picked right. It unlocked the door. But then she found the door was stiff and stuck through age. She debated going back and seeking help but decided she would try and open it on her own. She shoved and pushed and eventually managed to open it enough to see a glimmer of some kind of light. This made her really interested and so she worked some more at shoving the door and with a lot of effort, managed to open it enough to be able to squeeze inside the room.
Wonder of wonders, eggs, dozens of eggs, brilliant golden eggs, shimmering black eggs, shining silver eggs, dazzling scarlet eggs, bright green and blue eggs. All the colours of the rainbow were represented in this dazzling discovery. She was thrilled and excited. These eggs had been sitting here for untold centuries waiting for the right moment to hatch. Each egg needed a potential handler to help it hatch which presented a big problem to Griselda as she would have to carefully hunt for enough humans to choose those who would be suitable. For now she decided to close and lock the door as well as the entrance way and to go home and ponder the problem. This she did, leaving the cave with its priceless treasure hidden away for another day.
Jo: More please. I really, really love the thought of a room full of dragon eggs and hope (fervently) that Griselda can find the right humans for the job. I would love to read more about this quest too.
DeleteYou know, I often read your Wednesday prompts...this week you've given me some ideas for a painting. I have a little bit of a macabre imagination at times and I'm thinking of a sinister key to use...thanks for the ideas! :) xx
ReplyDeleteRain: I would LOVE to see the painting this prompt triggers. Really love to see it.
DeleteI will let you know when I post it, it will probably be either Sunday or for next Thursday's art date because the theme is abstract so I can pretty much do anything! :)
DeleteRain: I am really, really looking forward to seeing it. Your art blows me away.
DeleteDear EC, I'm not attempting a story today as I'm sticking to my half-hour or reading blogs--that's the regimen! I really liked the prompt and believe my key would be the key of accepting myself as I am today, not as I hope to be in the days to come. So when I use that key on the door and it opens, I think I will discover all those who raised me, all those who taught and educated me, and all those who befriended me--in other words, all those who have cherished me in life and in death. And I think they're be saying to me, "We love you ever and always. Just be." Peace.
ReplyDeleteDee: A metaphorical key!!! I suspect that many of us could use the key you found - I know I could.
DeleteStay well, stay safe - and keep looking after your precious eyes.
Dear EC, and you keep safe too. You matter to so many of us; you've touched our lives with you deep-down goodness and generosity. Peace.
DeleteDee: Humble thanks.
DeleteUnfortunately (I thought), I could not open the door because my key would not fit. I tried another and another, still no fit. Then I looked in the keyhole, and holy moly, I don't EVEN want to open this door! So thankful my key did not fit.
ReplyDeleteJ C: Oooh. Another very different interpretation. I am glad that the keys you found were obviously wise and kind ones.
DeleteThe door is large, solid and heavily barred. The lock is equally imposing. What lies beyond? A fortress? An armoury? Torture chambers?
ReplyDeleteShe tried to peer through the lock but could see nothing. A box of keys sat on the table beside the door. Big keys, heavy keys, ornate keys. Some silver, some gold.
None spoke to her.
Instead she blew a kiss at the door, which swung open gently, silently.
She could hear bird song, smell rain-washed air, and see beauty. Quickly she slipped inside. As she did so the door swung closed again. There was no lock on this side. She was trapped. Trapped but unafraid. This world meant her no harm.
Smiling she stepped onto the inviting path. Onward and upward...
Oh, I like this! Thank you for the happy ending - I think we could all use one. :-)
DeleteWhere is this door Sue? I want to go through it. Sounds like a wonderful world to enter.
DeleteSue, I have said this before - you are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I struggled with this and never could get it going, and finally gave up. And you come up with this beauty! Woe is poor, poor me!!
DeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Thank you. And please, please don't berate yourself. As I have said before some prompts speak more loudly to us than others.
Deletethe ending is unexpected, with her acceptance and even joy of the world beyond. thanks.
DeleteSusan Kane: We all NEED joy. Always. Thank you.
DeleteExcellent use of the prompt, and such a glorious place. Who would even want an exit?
Delete@ Elephant's Child: Sounds like you've stumbled upon a good place to be. I wish we can all go some place nice for now.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
Ciao EC, felice fine settimana.
ReplyDeleteGiancarlo: Thank you - and to you.
Deletenice, happy weekend
ReplyDeleteabasozora: I hope yours is happy, healthy and delightful.
DeleteI warmed to this prompt once I had an inkling of an idea - but it was hard to get going. Hats off to Cindi for some challenging prompts thus month. Here's my take on it:
ReplyDeleteHazel slowly turned the door knob. She gasped as she uncertainly entered a huge circular room. It was completely white apart from a frieze running around the entire room from waist to head height. The frieze was mesmerising; a patchwork of tiny pulsating colours, soft and inviting. Hazel’s first instincts were of confusion and disappointment. She had been pinning so much hope on getting her choice of key exactly right - a key to happy memories.
As she approached the centre of the room the soft colours re-formed into tiny squares, the size of a postage stamp. The frieze was a huge collage of tiny photographs; hundreds upon hundreds.
Hazel walked across the room to the frieze and randomly picked one square to study. The photograph grew in size and showed herself as a four-year-old at nursery school. It captured perfectly her feelings of excitement and pride when she first managed to fasten up her shoes all by herself. She smiled at the long-forgotten memory. Nearby another picture caught her interest. Tea with Sarah Jones! - her best friend when they were both thirteen. She remembered with affection Sarah’s mother introducing her to the delights of minestrone soup; something Hazel had never heard of, couldn’t pronounce, and fell in love with at first taste.
An hour passed as Hazel wandered haphazardly around the room, lighting upon a happy memory photograph here and there. Reluctantly she carefully hung the key around her neck. She would cherish it and ensure its safe-keeping so that she could re-visit this wonderful room when she felt herself spiralling down into a deep depression; that constant millstone around her neck.
She was about to leave the room when a tiny movement next to the door frame caught her eye. A new picture appeared from nowhere and cleverly tucked itself into the tiniest of gaps. The frieze seemed to expand at that point, just enough to accommodate it. She looked closer. She saw herself standing in this very room, grinning from ear to ear. She had caught herself still making happy memories.
I loved it, what a wonderful room to be in. Can I borrow her key?
DeleteSpikesBestMate: Awe and wonder. I love your take on Cindi's prompt and would love to enter this room. Again and again.
Delete@SpikesBestMate: This is lovely, great use of the prompt. A room full of good memories - I think I need that, I keep too many bad ones in my head.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
Thank you all for your kind words. This started out as a much darker and rambling piece, but in editing it to something much simpler I found the experience quite cathartic. Thanks to Cindi for such an interesting prompt.
ReplyDeleteMy key would be a kindness key ... It would open the door to being available to help others and to make new friendships. I wish I could duplicate this key for everyone, because it seems to have been lost on many. Rain reminded me of your Words for Wednesday blog (getting old does bad things to one's memory :( so, though I am late, I wanted to participate :)
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
Andrea @ From the Sol: I love the idea of a kindness key - and you are right, the world needs it.
DeleteIt is wonderful to see you here again - and you are never too late.