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:
- staple
- symbolic
- relic
- ebony
- flames
And/Or
- moon
- general
- drums
- presto
- thrilled
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. Thank you to all those who have volunteered so far - I am still hoping for some more though.
Leanne found an old lamp in the attic. It was dirty, but its shape was lovely. She took into the kitchen and gave it a bit of a rub. An ebony black genie appeared. ‘You have three wishes’ it said. ‘Choose wisely. Your decision is final and your wishes cannot be undone. And no, you cannot wish for unlimited wishes – it is against union rules. When you have decided on your wish, click your fingers and hey presto, it is done.
ReplyDeleteLeanne thought long and hard. ‘ I would be thrilled if Generals banging on the drums of war was a relic of the past, symbolic of far away times that have no relevance. Sadly it seems to be a staple of our culture and the war to end all wars didn’t.’
‘I would also like to see respect for and care of this beautiful planet and all things living on it become the norm.’
‘Flaming heck. Are you sure you wouldn’t like beauty, unlimited money and happiness for you and your family? I could probably even get a back door deal on the unlimited wish thing too. Your wishes are too hard and way above my pay grade. I am the genie of a small insignificant lamp. Those wishes require the genie of all genies who lives on the dark side of the pearl opal green moon hidden behind Saturn. And no, you cannot wish for his presence either. I quit.
He quit? Bad Genie. He should have at least allowed her three easier wishes. Great story.
DeleteWhat almost all of us wish, I think, except the few who won't allow it to happen.
DeleteWonderful! So funny -- against union rules. I enjoyed it.
DeleteLove,
Janie
Fabulous story! The genie is so humorous, and Leanne's wishes were lovely. My wish would be to see where the story goes! If this were a book, I'd be hooked until the very end.
DeleteHi EC – a genie with rules ...and then she found out … brilliant EC – so appropriate to life … and then he couldn't hack his life … hopeless genie. I'd totally concur with Damyanti's comment … more please! Great story telling … Thank you … loved it – cheers Hilary
DeleteToo much for the poor genie - no wonder; it's a tall order humans being what they are.
DeleteThe genie didn't play fair at all. He must have been a Republican.
DeleteElephant's Child: Those are hard wishes. I would quit if I was the genie.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
"...Generals banging on the drums of war was a relic of the past"
ReplyDeleteAmen.
Never going to happen, unfortunately.
DeleteThese words have my brain ticking over already, I hope I remember it when I get home from errands.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I look forward to see what you produce. As I always do.
DeleteI'll be working on it and as I've said, I will provide prompts for any month you need, and on my blog as I first noted, since this gives you a break. In fact, if you want to schedule me for any month where you do need a break, I would be willing.
ReplyDeleteWell done EC but chilling in these times of endless wars everywhere and no one happy with their lot it seems.
DeleteXO
WWW
My story will be over here.
Deletemessymimi: Thank you. I will put up the schedule some time next month and your name will definitely be on it.
DeleteHere is mine, all words and colours used. Good luck to everyone.
ReplyDelete-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grandmother Moon called her. She could hear the drums up on the ebony side of mountain. The general circle was forming, she knew, not that she could see it.
She took down the sacred bag holding the relics of her ancestors.the flint and dry stick from the mantle.
This year was her first year as chieftain. Her symbolic robe was laid out on the bed. An opalescent green leather. She gently put the magical opal around her neck, the staple holy jewel of her people passed down through the generations. Her grandfather would be proud.
As she set out on her journey, she knew she shouldn’t be so thrilled. She should be humbled.
They were all waiting for her to light the bonfire into flames, to say the ancient words: “Okul presto magnificat garnum,” and to watch the birds fly out of the ancient trees in the dead of night and circle them all in blessing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XO
WWW
I hope she does them all proud as the new chieftain. I can see being thrilled and humbled and elated and happy and scared and all kinds of things all at once in a situation like this.
DeleteWisewebwoman: This is lovely. Like messymimi I would expect her to be feeling a whole range of emotions - including fear and pride.
DeleteHi WWW - she'll be learning and by the feel of it move very quickly into her role as chief guide to her peoples ... she was a good choice by the elders - cheers Hilary
DeleteThis is very nice WWW, I hope she becomes more comfortable as chieftain as the years go by.
DeleteI have no doubt she is detained for greatness. How fortunate she is to have you to recount her experience.
DeleteInteresting tales, I enjoyed reading so far will return this evening to see how many more there are to read EC.
ReplyDeleteMargaret D: I have just rescued you from spam again. Thank you. I do hope there are more stories for you to enjoy later.
DeleteHi EC and Alex - all words used ... :
ReplyDeleteUnder the light of the pearl opal green moonscape … the General raised his arm, it came down and they marched quietly off to the beat of the Drums.
Hey presto … Ebony and Ivory merged together in the penumbra … she sensed and knew the elephant were there, but was thrilled to feel the song resonate … those fiery passion memories flowed again … like flames brightening up her life …
So much of her time was with the relics of the past … could she find the one symbolic staple that would bring things together for her …
Africa … would never leave her … history would ensure that …
Cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: This is poignant and lovely. You had me at elephants (of course).
DeleteOh this is beautiful Hilary, quite haunting and resonating deeply.
DeleteXO
WWW
It is beautiful Hilary, I sometimes wish to visit Africa, but it's a dream only.
DeleteAfrica does get into your blood, Hilary. I know it is mine.
DeleteHi River ... I hope you can visit sometime ... it's so worth it. Thanks everyone for your comments - cheers Hilary
DeleteAfrica is one of the places you dream about, or at least I do.
DeleteWhat a wonderful initiative! The flexibility and creativity encouraged by Words for Wednesday really makes it an enjoyable space for writers to explore their imagination. I love how the prompts offer so many ways to dive into storytelling, from short stories to poetry. It’s also great to see a supportive community that cheers each other on. I’m sure the upcoming year will be filled with even more fun and inspiring creations!
ReplyDeleteYou are invited to read my new post:
(https://www.melodyjacob.com/2024/11/how-to-create-soft-holiday-glam-5-pro-steps.html).
MELODY JACOB: It is a wonderful meme and a heap of fun. Perhaps you will join us some week.
DeleteSafe to say, it’s a universal truth that bread is a key STAPLE in all cultures. Indeed I am always THRILLED to discover how many forms it can take, from tortillas to sourdough, from naan to whole wheat, from bagel to bap. It is a RELIC originating in the discovery of fire, a food based in the deepest antiquity of big-brained humanoids, yet as vital today as ever it was. In fact, it is SYMBOLIC in some cultures, the GENERAL link that binds, cutting across economic status, indifferent to wealth and privilege. Even the poorest have bread. Here I am in Africa doing cutting edge anthropology, yet stranded out in the bush, the MOON illuminating the savannah, longing for bread. The FLAMES of the fire licked invitingly, giving figurative as well as literal warmth, and the EBONY face of my guide, a man possessed of skills I could barely comprehend, reflected the glare of the glowing embers. Smiling he glanced my way, and carefully removed the flat metal plate balanced above the heat, and PRESTO – there was bread. Flat, round, glorious bread. Oh to be someone who could track an antelope, live off the land, have an unerring sense of direction and could also make bread. Had I DRUMS they would beat loudly. No food could have satisfied me more. No bread will ever taste as good again.
ReplyDeleteHi David - I bet your heart was beating to the sound of the bread drums ... loved the story - so linked to my own remembrances ... and how much locals can tell us ... and do for us incompetents used to switching the switch, or flicking the flick and getting fire and warmth ... though I'm glad I live in the cultivated world ... however difficult it is at the moment. Cheers Hilary
DeleteDavid M. Gascoingne: I love it. And there is very little that smells better than freshly baked bread. Yet again we have stepped away from the essentials and outsourced their production. To our detriment.
DeleteWonderfully done!
Delete“The drums, the drums”, the general said
ReplyDeleteAs flames rose to the moon.
A symbolic relic of the past
Would envelop him too soon
The Blog Fodder: It seems that the relic of the past is not just symbolic... Thank you for joining us again with this snippet which has me wondering.
DeleteHi Blog Fodder - what a great read ... sadly probably too true ... thank you - Hilary
DeleteThe Blog Fodder: This was good, provokes some rather interesting thoughts and images.
DeleteHave a lovely day.
Nicely done.
DeleteI guess I'm a week late but nonetheless, I had posted. Staple was one of the prompts used last week but I don't mind using it again - it's like another challenge but sadly I used the same meaning.
ReplyDeleteMy take on the prompts is here: Fiction: The Solace Cafe
Have a lovely day.
lissa: I enjoyed your take on the prompts.
DeleteIt's always fun to see what people come up with!
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: It is a heap of fun.
Delete