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.
Huge thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh who challenged us last month. This month Wisewebwoman is providing the prompts and they will appear here. Charlotte (MotherOwl) has selected fawn brown as the colour of the month.
This week's prompts are:
- Rusk
- Spindrift
- Ballistic
- Troubadour
- Killick
and/or
- Mantra
- Tuckamore
- Whirlpool
- Calliope
- Catamaran
As always, have fun.
On a calm day, the knowing and the unknowing alike were seduced by Calliope’s beautiful voice singing to and through the sea. Troubadours envied her and tried to recreate her magic.
ReplyDeleteThe sun beamed down on laughing children playing with hand-made boats anchored in the shallow tide pools by killicks rigged up with a stone and a rope. Mothers, also basking in the sun, watched over them indulgently while holding the latest family member who was chewing a fawn brown rusk safe in her arms. Further out to sea, the twin hulls of catamarans cut through the waves and the sailors exulted.
On other, less benevolent days the spindrift lashed painfully at the eyes of the unwary few still on the beach. Powerful whirlpools emerged brought to life by the currents swirling around the jetty. Tuckamores stood as silent sentinels, twisted by the ballistic power of the winds.
Inland and sheltering between walls that did not feel sturdy enough children cowered. The youngest could not be comforted and wailed into the winds.
When gale force winds hit Calliope still sang. She sang a sonorous song of power and beauty. The Harpies also sang of power, but longed for death and destruction. Both had the same mantras ‘Listen to me. Come to me.’
Who will win? And will the loser be remembered?
Beautifully descriptive! (And I learned TWO new words today: Tuckamore and killick. A good day.) :-)
DeleteI love this story, lately I have been yearning for the ocean and now I know I really need to go to where the sand meets the sea. But first I need to google some of these words.
DeleteWow! That's great, and I learned some new words.
DeleteLove,
Janie
Diane Henders & Janie Junebug: I learned new words too - for which I am grateful.
DeleteThanks EC - I need to look up a few of the words ... our strong winds down here are echoing your last choice ... let's hope there will not be too many casualties - looking at the waves ... that's a little hopeful! Cheers and with thoughts for now and into 2024 - Hilary
DeleteThanks for this riveting tale. I'm happy to see native speakers also having to look up these words, I love learning new words! Here we are seldom far from the sea and the story speaks to me.
DeleteI loved this story. Well told.
DeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
An excellent tale, worthy of the Greek myths.
DeleteOh EC this is one of your best. I love how you painted this incredible picture - more like a painting in a gallery. The words are so well deployed they took my breath away!
DeleteXO
WWW
I can see the currents swirling.
ReplyDeleteVery cool story.
Happy Reading and Writing!
And here's to a strong 2024!
The Happy Whisk: Thank you. And here's to a very peaceful 2024.
DeleteHmm...are we speaking the same language? I have to look up half these words! 😀
ReplyDeleteSandi: So did I - which is part of the challenge.
DeleteI was in the head on the catamaran hoping the circus calliope on the dock masked the mantra I was creating as the tuckamore shaped debris disappeared into the whirlpool below my tuchus.
ReplyDeleteMike: I hope you didn't have anything to do with creating that whirlpool?
DeleteThanks for yet another new word (tuchus), and a short story.
DeleteShort and quite interesting!
DeleteNicely done!
DeleteXO
WWW
Your snippets offer a glimpse into a larger story or scenario. They are intriguing, and it makes one wonder what happens next. Writing prompts can be a great way to spark creativity and explore different narrative possibilities. Kudos on engaging with the prompts! Visit Melody Jacob blog.
ReplyDeleteMELODY JACOB: Some of the talented people who play W4W continue their story week after week. Snippets is all I can manage.
DeleteMELODY JACOB: I am sorry I can go to your blog, but I cannot comment. Boxing Day is a public holiday here and we spent it very quietly.
DeleteThe first set:
ReplyDeleteI, the Troubadour, munched the rusk, grateful for something plain after the ballistic gallopings of the festive season. No one was a spendrift this year … even so my poor tum felt like a killick … and really needed to turn for harbour where some relief could be had.
I have company - so will be back anon ...
I hope everyone had a lovely time ... cheers for now - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: That poor tummy feeling like a killick sparks unwelcome memories. Not this year, thank fully. I love your tale. Enjoy your company too.
DeleteGood job,Hils! sandracox.blogspot.com
DeleteNicely told, although it's not a nice situation in which to find yourself.
DeleteEnjoy your company and thanks for the tale.
DeleteWell done Hilary! The words I submitted are in common use out here in Newfoundland but I did check the google machine to make sure no one was too baffled.
DeleteXO
WWW
I'm very fond of soda water. A good alternative is SPINDRIFT which is made up of sparkling water and fruit. Kids love to have a RUSK with it.
ReplyDeleteI keep both these water bottles in the fridge - a WHIRLPOOL product. Lately, I've been having trouble with it, so I'm not going to buy a new one, or another appliance from this company.
Yesterday, on the shore, I noticed three men fixing a KILLICK for securing their CATAMARAN. They worked hard as it was rather windy, and they had to free the place of a dead TUCKAMORE tree.
I hurried back home, as there's a war going on, and BALLISTIC rockets are a daily occurrence. Sadly, because of the war, people have stopped having fun activities such as MANTRA Meditation and TROUBADOUR Singing.
Only the greek bar CALLIOPE (named after the greek music goddess) with its FAWN BROWN facade, attracts customers despite the messy times.
DUTA; This is such a powerful and poignant use of the prompts. I so hope that the war and the rockets stop soon (yesterday would be good) and that better times return.
DeleteHi Duta - the words are so well used in your story line ... we need hope and calm for 2024 - cheers Hilary
DeleteExcellent use of the words to paint a very sad situation.
DeleteSa story, well written, thanks.
DeleteBrilliant use of words, Duta. Well done!
DeleteXO
WWW
Okay, I'm on it. Back soon to read and link.
ReplyDeleteMy story will be over here.
Deletemessymimi: I am really looking forward to it.
DeleteI'm beginning to wish my 2% Irish DNA had memories of these unusual-to-me words.
ReplyDeleteRiver: This week Wiswebwoman gave us words from Newfoundland - and they were new to me too.
DeleteI've read the stories and well done to all.
ReplyDeleteMy brain isn't working yet! :)
Margaret D: Thank you. I do hope your brain springs into gear. I really like your stories.
DeleteI think I will pass on this one, Sue. I didn't know the meaning of the words "spindrift" or "killick" and the only reference I can find to Tuckamore is that it is a music festival in Newfoundland and Labrador, yet from what I read above it seems to be a kind of tree. New to me entirely, and not featured in an entire shelf of books on trees. I think I'll wait until the words are less obtuse (to me) and I will feel more at ease using them.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Not a problem at all. I am sorry it took me so long to reply. I have been doing voluntary work today.
DeleteThose were new to me as well - a Tuckamore tree is a tree deformed by the ever blowing coastal winde - often shaped very beautifully. We have them near where I live as well.
DeleteCharelotte, yes, they are all over the "barrens" here, another Newfoundland word. Their shapes astonish me, the adaptation to conditions. I have seen those trees crawl along the rocks.
DeleteXO
WWW
Dip your Rusk
ReplyDeleteIn Spindrift,
My Ballistic Troubadour!
Drop the Killick and drift...
Nicely done!
DeleteCloudia: Love it. Short and very sweet.
DeleteGood!
DeleteLove it!
DeleteXO
WWW
Beautiful blog
ReplyDeleteRajani Rehana: Thank you.
DeleteI was on time with the Words, no so with the commenting. Here's my link: WfW.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): I have already read and delighted in your continuing story.
DeleteFun words and A Very Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: They are fun prompts - and challenging too. A very Happy New Year to you and your family as well.
DeleteAlways great words and always used creatively, Sue! I love the word tuckamore. I first learned it when I went to Newfoundland. I didn't realize that it was used outside the province. Happy New Year, my friend!
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: I had never heard of tuckamores (or killicks) before Wisewebwoman gave us this challenge. And new words are always a treat. Assuming I can remember them.
Delete