This meme was started by Delores a long time ago. Computer issues led her to bow out for a while. The meme was too much fun to let go, and now Words for Wednesday is provided by a number of people and has become a movable 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 those prompts 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, and mixing and matching is encouraged.
Some of us put our creation in comments on the post, and others post on their own blog. I would really like it if as many people as possible joined into this fun meme, which includes cheering on the other participants. If you are posting on your own blog - let me know so that I, and other participants, can come along and applaud.
This week's prompts are:
- Sword
- Hogwash
- Cactus
- Ghost
- Silver
- Rivers
AND/OR
- Spirits
- Potato
- Nincompoop
- Indigo
- Gemstones
- Learning
Charlotte (MotherOwl) has given us Mint Green as the colour of the month. If you can also incorporate it into your stories she (and I) will be grateful.
Have fun.
In related news. This year is rapidly drawing to a close and I am seeking people who are happy to provide the prompts (either here or on your own blog) next year. If you are able to do so, please let me know in the comments, stating which month suits and whether you will post here or on your own blog. I hope to be able to post next year's schedule some time next month. Some kind souls have put up their hands, but I need more.
THANK YOU to those who have already volunteered. I would still like some more, and hope to put up a list early next month.
The hogwash story book about a ghost cutting a cactus with a silver sword was on a shelf at Rivers house.
ReplyDeleteMike: I am smiling - but I don't think it will remain in River's house for long if it really is hogwash.
DeleteIt does sound kind of interesting, it might be a children's book.
DeleteFunny, I used Rivers as a name, too, but not quite the same way. Nicely done!
DeleteHi Mike - I first read it as 'on the shelf at the Sheriff's house' ... or similar! Succinct - cheers Hilary
DeleteMike: I like this.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
This sounds like a fun idea for an illustrafted chldrens' book.
DeleteThey were such different people, their relationship had never had a ghost of a chance. In Brad’s dinki-di aussie slang it was cactus, dead before it started.
ReplyDeleteCaitlin had died her hair indigo blue, not because she liked the look (though she did) but to represent devotion, wisdom, justice, and higher knowledge. She often wore mint green to reflect her desire for tranquility, health, and good luck.
Brad thought that her beliefs in the meaning of colour and her spirituality was hogwash. He was interested in spirits too – like the gin made from potato for example, but not the airy fairy nonsense she said she was learning.
Caitlin for her part thought Brad was a nincompoop. He dreamed of finding rivers of silver and precious gemstones. She believed that those who live by the sword die by it too, and was convinced that his materialism would kill him.
Regretfully (because there was a strong attraction between them) they went their separate ways but they both had wistful thoughts about the ‘might have beens…’
I really like this :)
DeleteSometimes it's just not meant to be.
DeleteAin't that the truth though. Opposites attracting, knowing it's hopeless and still........
DeleteWell done on the words EC
XO
WWW
Yes - well done EC ... great tale of love that was, yet never could be: disparate characters to put it mildly. Thoroughly enjoyable ... cheers Hilary
DeleteElephant's Child: We all had those 'might have beens'. Good use of the prompts.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
Might have beens better remain so.
DeleteI love learning about gemstones, so I've accepted an invitation to a gemstone exhibition on Rivers street in town.
ReplyDeleteI got the invitation from an acquaintance whom I consider a Nincompoop, but a kind and generous person. Besides, he got an attractive silver ghost tattoo on his right arm:)
I chose to wear my mint green dress not the indigo one for the occasion.
After the exhibition, we entered a nearby eatery. I had a potato salad with a galss of cola. We actually wanted beer, but they don't sell any spirits at this place.
On my way home, I saw a mural depicting a tall man holding a sword and directing it to a huge cactus. It seemed rather hogwash to me.
DUTA: Thanks for joining us again. I would really like to see that tattoo. You have got my mind wondering and trying to see it...
DeletePerhaps the man is practising his swordsmanship with a cactus.
DeleteNicely done!
DeleteThat poor cactus I hope it fought well and he got into a tangle with it. Great take on the words.
DeleteXO
WWW
Hi DUTA - a fun take ... as well as your use of Rivers Street ... could so easily be from a small town today - cheers Hilary
DeleteWell done!
DeleteTwo good ones already!
ReplyDeleteFinally home, will work on it.
ReplyDeleteIt will be over here.
Deletemessymimi: I can hardly wait.
DeleteWe don't hear nincompoop these days, I wonder what has replaced it? Great words, I'll see what I can make of them.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I suspect nincompoop has been replaced with less salubrious words. As I do with messymimi, I look forward to your take on the prompts each and every week.
DeleteHere is mine, a wee bit of a challenge for moi, but I continue with Edward and Dahlia Part 7. All words and colour used.
ReplyDelete------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Texts
Andrew to Dahlia
November 1st, 10.58 pm
I didn’t know whether to call or send a thank you card (I have quite decent indigo and silver ones) and then I thought you’d think me a nincompoop, gone all fanciful, so here I am now that I have your mobile number. Please don’t think it hogwash, but I really didn’t mind the burnt chicken, the roast potatoes were lovely as was the salad.
I thank you for a memorable evening.
November 1st, 11.05 pm
I sent that last too soon but I hasten to add that I believe we are kindred spirits. I am so pleased you liked the cactus I brought you!
I learned so much about the gemstones in your display case, your father was a gifted jeweler!
As to that magnificent painting in your bedroom showing the confluence of the rivers and the faint image of the ghost with the sword brandished over her head? Powerful, and quite terrifying!
I am far too long winded even in a text. I will sign off now and hope to be invited back to your delightful mint green house and not annoy your dogs so much next time!
November 1st, 11.30pm
Oh dear, I never use exclamation points and I note my last text is positively littered with them!!!!!
Wisewebwoman: This is totally delightful - and I do hope it continues in the weeks to come.
DeleteHi WWW - I'm enjoying Dahlia and Edwards ongoing 'togetherness' ... well done is all I can say - texting is NOT my scene!! Longwinded typing is!! Cheers Hilary
DeleteThat's okay, sometimes you just have to exclaim. Nicely done!
DeleteTexting 'togthernes' in installments - I like!!!
DeleteI did so want to see the CACTUS that Josephine my friend was growing, so I headed off to her house late in the evening.
ReplyDeleteThe journey I had to take was to pass by the two RIVERS where there is this so called GHOST house where by a person or persons of unknown origin apparently had a SILVER SWORD and appeared in the doorway of his ancient old house, so I was told.
I thought when told this, what a load of HOGWASH! But, alas it was true for there in the doorway I saw a GHOSTLY shadow of a young man, I turned on my heels and ran back home as fast as I could. I’ll never go that way again to Josephine’s house.
Margaret D: I am glad I have your comment in spam and rescued it. This is a great take on Alex's prompts. I wonder what the ghost is waiting for?
DeletePoor woman - I don't venture out at that time of night ... never know what's round the corner ... I hope she does get to see Josephine on another route at earlier time of day - cheers Hilary
DeleteOh, dear. Nice tale, scary house.
DeleteShe'll get there Hilary...wemt the other way!
DeleteEC, probably hit us over the head with his sword...he's not very friendly if you dare walk on this property.
Would be rather scary...Messymimi.
Sorry aboyut her not getting to see the cactus. Well written.
DeleteHi EC and Alex - here's my 2nd set ...
ReplyDeleteThe Nincompoop, who is our gardener, has been telling me that the gemstone he dug up is of a mint green colour, certainly not indigo – perhaps he's colour blind – I wonder if he's ever been tested?
Now come on – let's relax and have some vodka … yes this spirit is made from potato … well those eye things … that are dung coloured … have been fermenting for long enough for us to make another batch of moonshine.
Cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Enjoy your moonshine. Powerful stuff, that could turn a person mint green if over indulged in...
DeleteNo thanks ... no moonshine now! Thanks - great to see you... cheers H
DeleteHa on the "eye things" - we call that stuff poteen in Ireland. Absolutely wicked deadly. Well done Hilary.
DeleteXO
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I'm sorry the gardener is a nincompoop. If he is color blind, he might plant the wrong color flowers.
DeleteHuff, what a story.
DeleteA wrinkled old man had crossed many rivers searching for gemstones and fossils in the desert in his lifetime. Behind him trailed his donkey which carried meager supplies for this latest foray. A silver sword hung in a scabbard dangling from his donkey's pack. The sword enabled the man to cut through cactus in search of water. He knew the cactus with a mint green color were sure to contain the life saving liquid he and his donkey needed traveling in the desert. As the man bedded down for the night cooking a potato or two over an open fire, he dreamed of finding an illusive indigo sapphire. He'd been studying and learning all about the most valuable gems to find with the hopes he could retire from this hard life. Before he left town folks called his quest foolish and hogwash. More than a few called him a nincompoop. However, he was undeterred in his quest for striking it rich this time. The spirits in the campfire flames told him to keep on with his quest. As he drifted off to sleep a ghost appeared gesturing to a star constellation with a map of where to find the indigo sapphire. Somehow he just knew the two of them were sure to succeed. After all his donkey must have been named Einstein for a good reason.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda - lovely tale ... clever too - I could see him wandering the desert and cutting cacti to obtain some liquid ... delightful - cheers Hilary
DeleteWell done Linda, an entrancing story.
DeleteXO
WWW
Linda Starr: I hope he does find the elusive indigo sapphire - and that he and Einstein can live their lives in comfort. This is a lovely take on Alex's prompts.
DeleteAwww, I do hope he found it.
DeleteLinda Starr: This was good and you use the prompts so well. I like the donkey's name is Einstein.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
thanks all, we stayed at a place in the Baja one year and the gentleman who had the casita has a donkey named Einstein. I also met a man who was a rock and gem hound in New Mexico and had lost everything during the recession, I still think of him. His name was Dan and I wrote a story about him called Dan the Rock Man, so this short is dedicated to Dan and to the donkey Einstein and those respective memories
DeleteHe can't miss with a donkey of that name!
DeleteNincompoof.........I haven't heard that word used in eons and then some. You made my day though seeing it, as it made me laugh. I'm betting almost everyone's family has at least one who will shine come this Thanksgiving Gathering. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteSandy: We don't celebrate Thanksgiving here, but I suspect I am often the nincompoop at the family table. I hope yours gives you no trouble.
DeleteAgain better late than never I hope. Here are my WfW. Now off to read all your stories.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): I have just come back after reading (and enjoying) your W4W tale.
DeleteWonderful stories these words bring forth. Very enjoyable! Thank you for sharing them each week.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you for coming back to read the tales, week after week. We appreciate it.
DeleteI don't know what's going on but google don't want me to sign in so I can only comment using the name/url option. - lissa @ postcards from the bookstore.
ReplyDeleteFinally wrote something using last week and this week's prompt but I'm late as usual. But here's the link:
Fiction: Conversations with ghosts
Have a lovely day.
lissa: Google/blogger relented and allowed you to sign in. I read your use of the prompts (both weeks) early this morning and thoroughly enjoyed them.
DeleteYou make interesting stories with the proposed words... A lot of learning...
ReplyDeleteA pleasure to read here. 🌞
Clarisa T.: Welcome and thank you. Perhaps you will join us next week.
DeleteNice work everyone!
ReplyDelete