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 Sean Jeating for providing the prompts last month. The prompts will be here again this month and are provided by Alex J. Cavanaugh.
This week's prompts are:
- Parachute
- Reindeer
- Shark
- Clay
- Ruins
And/Or
- Telescope
- Totem Pole
- Black
- Severed
- Surf
Charlotte (MotherOwl) has given us Pearl Opal 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.
Very wildly random prompts this week. I need to think them over.
ReplyDeleteThe months just flew by, can't believe it's november already. I don't think I've been participanting as much but I always check out the prompts/words as I find them useful in making me write something even when I don't finish them. I would be interested in providing the prompts and hosting them in any month.
Have a lovely day.
lissa: Thank you.
DeleteEnjoy joining in when you can.
DeleteHi EC - I'll return with my entries anon.
ReplyDeleteRe the prompts for 2025 - I'll be very happy to provide one month's worth ... whichever month that suits ... just not January please ... as I'll be giving another talk ... cheers for now - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Thank you too. Another talk in January? Busy times.
DeleteMagna Carta - so a challenging one ... still it's lasted many a century ... ?!
DeleteI’ll provide the prompts for any month but January next year.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: I am so pleased that so many of you are volunteering already. Thank you.
Delete‘What would you like for our fifth wedding anniversary Sarah?’
ReplyDelete‘I don’t know Brad. Something simple and decorative. Nothing black though – I find it depressing.’
Which wasn’t any help. Brad really, really wanted to show her how much he cared. Suitable gifts for that anniversary apparently included wooden items. A totem pole wouldn’t be too big an expression of his love, but their fourth floor flat had nowhere to put it. The gemstone for this anniversary was the sapphire but he feared she would need a telescope to see any that he could afford.
Then he had a brainwave. He was going to surf the net. He would wait until she had gone to bed, open her lap top, and look at her browsing history.
Too many hours later he was more confused than ever. She apparently spent a lot of time googling Canada. He had already nixed the idea of a totem pole and a reindeer wasn’t a happening thing either. Nor was that pearl opal green dress made of parachute silk. She would look amazing in it, but it would cost him an arm and a leg, severed by the loan sharks.
He groaned. His plans were in ruins. And then he saw it. A gorgeous, elegant clay sculpture of an owl. Within their price range. Done. And closing down from the web, he headed to bed – knowing that he would have to get up and go to work in a very few hours.
He hoped she would like it. He really, really hoped so.
I don't know if she'll like it, Brad. I think you should have gotten her a parachute for the reindeer she has secretly adopted. That reindeer is a member of Santa's team. Strangely, his name is Shark. Santa's team was in ruins before Shark joined because too many of the reindeer had hooves of clay.
DeleteRelax, Brad, she will love it.
DeleteJanie Junebug: I hope that Shark can resurrect Santa's team and love your take on Alex's prompts.
DeleteShe'll like the owl. Ms. Janie, that was cleverly done!
DeleteHi EC - an owl ... will be a delight - I'm glad he didn't find some ghoulish things going on in her laptop ... that'd be blackening their relationship ... glad that's not on the cards ... cheers Hilary
DeleteThis is such a cool story. I really like. You are a good writer!
DeleteExcellent, Sue. This was both fun and clever:)
DeleteFantastic use of the prompts EC. Your mind is very sharp!
DeleteWhat a sweet story. I like owls.
DeleteAw, that's sweet! Excellent use of the prompts, as usual. :-)
DeleteI was so afraid what he was going to find on her laptop. And so happy for this ending, I so hope she likes the owl!
DeleteMoney isn't everything and heart-felt intent surely stretches a lot further.
DeleteReindeer and shark - that will be an interesting combination!
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: And you set that interesting (and challenging) combination.
DeleteIf I haven't moved to my last dwelling six feet under by then, I would take October again.
ReplyDeleteSean Jeating: Good.
DeleteSounds good Sean ... October howls ahead ... cheers Hilary
DeleteHis PEARL OPAL GREEN PARACHUTE billowed and rocked as he gently descended to earth. He had SEVERED connection with others of his kind, unless in the event of the most dire emergency. REINDEER nibbled on lichen all around him, the snow baked as hard as CLAY, yet they pawed through it and survived on tasteless morsels – a hard won diet at that. He set up his TELESCOPE to scan his surroundings and saw the RUINS of an old research station. This could provide shelter and a windbreak; soon the searing light of day would yield to the BLACK of night. As he neared the crumbling structure he saw what could only be a TOTEM POLE. It was so out of place, and there were not even trees to construct one. Perhaps members of one of the coast tribes had served here and brought their essential spirituality with them. Maybe it evoked dreams of their home, of SURF and SHARKS, and best of all of salmon. What he wouldn’t give for salmon smoked over a cedar fire. A can of sardines was not going to be quite the same.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Salmon or sardines? No contest. I would like to know more about this adventurer and his world. I am getting the sense that a disaster has happened.
DeleteIt sounds like he's off for adventure.
DeleteHi David - great use of the words ... reminding us reindeer nibble on lichen ... I could certainly see his landing place - I hope he can sort his life out - perhaps too many magic mushrooms?! Actually I'm going to buy some sardines today ... but usually eat salmon (once cooked) - from the freezer ... cheers Hilary
DeleteExcellent short, David. I like the pearl opal green parachute.
DeleteIs this a post apocalyptic Father Christmas tale? In any case, well written ;)
DeleteVery well done as usual.
DeleteSanta looked around in concern.He fingered the chord on his pearl opal green, rocket-propelled, parachute that could carry him down, up or forward, as his reindeer headed for shark-infested waters. He closed his eyes, tightened his hand on the chord and then risked a peep. He gave a relieved sigh and a, "Ho, ho, ho," as the sleigh evened out and the clay ruins on the Sunda Islands came into sight.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra Cox: What a useful parachute. I would like one of those. Mind you I am also wondering whether Santa has presents for good little sharks...
DeleteI'm sure Santa could tell of some amazing adventures on his many trips.
DeleteHi EC and Sandra - the idea of the Sunda Islands ... I had to look them up ... interesting addition into my rabbit hole mix of life! I do hope he found like-minded souls on the Islands ... a story line for you and your cowboys?! Cheers Hilary
DeleteYou even managed to get Santa involved! Very seasonal, indeed. Good job.
DeleteMore strange santa tales. Is this an epidemic or something? IN any case well done.
DeleteYour story is so sweet Sandra it makes me ashamed for mine.
DeleteDropping by with love, light, fear, and angst, HOPE too! (The countdown til election results has begun.)
ReplyDeleteRawknrobyn: Thank you for dropping by at this very anxious time. I am hoping with you. And watching the news.
DeleteI can do any month you'd like me to - but this time I'd prefer for the prompts to be at your blog; It seems to work out better.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl); That is fine - just send them to me and I will publish them here. And thank you.
DeleteFinally around to work on it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I will be glad to provide prompts again next year, more than once if needed. They can be on my blog to give you a break.
DeleteMy current story will be over here.
messymimi: Thank you = and I am looking forward to seeing your tale.
DeleteExcellent stories above me here. I'll get to work on the words later.
ReplyDeleteRiver: As always I am looking forward to your creation.
DeleteI thought I would surf the horizon with my telescope when I saw an all black totem pole severed at the ground.
ReplyDeleteNice done.
DeleteMike: And now you have me wondering what brought it down.
DeleteHi Mike - I wonder where the severed totem pole ended up ... I'm glad his telescope was strong enough to see across the horizon to the pole. Cheers Hilary
DeleteAs my parachute floated toward the clay ruins on the shore I could see I would land in a herd of reindeer or next to a circling shark in the water.
ReplyDeleteTimes two.
DeleteAnd I'm not sure which of these would be worse to land beside.
Mike: Or perhaps safely between them?
DeleteHi Mike - choices ... reindeer for me ... cheers Hilary
DeleteShort and perfect!
DeleteI'd take the reindeer. suspense created in these few words, well done
DeleteShort and sweet. Good job Mike
DeleteOh, I like it!
DeleteGreat way of incorporating the words in one sentence, Mike. Good job. Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
DeleteI always sit with my drink of milo and read - lovely tales.
ReplyDeleteMargaret D: That is lovely to hear.
DeleteHi EC - here's mine in one 'long' story ...
ReplyDelete"The clay shark had arrived on its parachute … now unwisely suspended on the reindeer's antlers, poor animal … but least it was intact and not in ruins – we can move it to the sculpture park tomorrow.
Now we can get back to our totem pole … we decided that we should be dressed in black, some cloaks had to be severed so we didn't trip on them. We'd protect ourselves against the winter chill by hiding in the teepee … wrapping the telescope in its folds so no light could get in … then and only then could we watch the aurora borealis … with all its brilliant fluorence of shimmering Pearl Opal Green high in the sky.
Then … oh bliss – we could have our Surf 'N Turf with salads for dinner … and just spend the evening watching the skies explode with pearlescent light … beautiful … oh what a night."
Exhausting and worrying all at once - cheers to one and all - Hilary
Ha! Very imaginative, Hilary! I'm trying to envision that shark tangled in its parachute and the reindeer's dismay!
DeleteOh what a night indeed. I would not have thought of a clay shark arriving on a parachute. Kudos, Hils;)
DeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Hilary Melton-Butcher: How I would LOVE to see the aurora borealis. Great take.
DeleteAnd cheers to you Hilary
DeleteVery creative, Hilary, verging on hallucinogenic!
DeleteVery interesting word picture, especially in the first paragraph.
DeleteSomeday I'd love to see the aurora.
I'm available if you need me, Sue.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.co
Sandra Cox: Thank you.
DeleteRudolph the red nosed Reindeer opened his parachute and landed in the surf. The rest of the crew unhooked their harnesses and smashed on top of Rudolph. They landed unhurt but appearing like a totem pole. Santa and his sleigh telescoped into the pearl opal green ocean. The fiery jets trailed behind and lit up the sky. Santa's ruins were black as clay and his head was severed. The children finally gave up watching out their windows. They never knew Rudolph and the surviving reindeer completed the delivery of presents that year.
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie: Another Santa take. And a sad one. I wonder who will step up to the task in the years to come.
DeleteHi Granny Annie - children can never see the real Santa - he cleverly hides ... though after his head was severed - I'm not now sure! Cheers Hilary
DeleteGood on Rudolph for soldiering on in adverse Christmas conditions:)
DeleteSandra
That's a hard ending for Santa, and a good team effort.
DeleteAnother great set of words! And takes on them!
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: It is a weekly treat and I am always blown away by the creativity on display.
DeleteI am okay with taking another turn, just let me know which month you've put me in.
ReplyDeleteRiver: Thank you. I haven't even started allocating months yet.
DeleteBuenas aportaciones, he leído en los comentarios. Buena inventiva hay entrelas personas que frecuentan tu blog.
ReplyDeleteFeliz fin de semana.
VENTANA DE FOTO: Thank you for reading and for your kind words. Have a great weekend.
DeleteI hope this fits the fun and spirit of the prompt! Thanks for sharing this creative challenge.
ReplyDeleteI just shared a blog, please let me know what you think
MELODY JACOB: Thank you for joining us. Can you tell me/us which post to look for?
DeleteAs the reindeer descended into the black ruins, its parachute caught on a totem pole and almost severed some of the lines. The shark, watching hungrily from the pounding surf, was left disappointed.
ReplyDeleteThe Blog Fodder: It would be a hungry shark that would take on a reindeeer - which I am glad escaped.
DeleteWell don The Blog Fodder ... poor shark - left unrequited and hungry ... while the reindeer ran off into the mists of his lands - cheers Hilary
DeleteWell done!
DeleteJared stepped in line with a gulp and a shout,
ReplyDeleteHis friends all cheered, "No backing out!"
The coaster roared like a charging shark,
Its twists and loops looked scary and dark.
He thought of reindeer leaping high,
And wished he had a parachute to fly!
Up they traveled like clay on a wheel,
Then dropped so fast Jared started to squeal!
"These ruins of my nerves just won’t last!"
He braced himself as they zoomed right past.
When the ride screeched to a stop, Jared let out a cheer,
"Let's go again—I’ve conquered my fears!"
Wonderfully done, and in rhyme, too! My hat is off.
Delete