First 50 Words – Prompts for Writing Practice
Write the first 50 words of YOUR story in a comment.
Reading Michelle Obama’s book “Becoming” I remember hope. I remember feeling like things could get better. That the US might do something about climate change. That various social justice causes could advance. That wages might raise and little people might be better off. Lately it’s been a struggle to hold on to that remembered hope, but we must. We must.
Please use the open space below to share your first 50 words on the topic “hope.”
Autumn is good for the spirit. Not too hot. Full of brilliant colors writ large on the trees that refresh your quest for beauty. Perfect for that day in the mountains looking at the aspen groves or that walk along the river bank enjoying the rustling leaves of the cottonwood trees. It’s a tie up whether autumn or spring is the best thing to keep you sane. It’s a tie up.
Please use the open space below to share your first 50 words on the topic “autumn” or on some topic suggested by the image.
Around these parts, the best trees in fall are cottonwood and ash. They’ll give you a nice show of color in the fall. You can find aspens if you go up higher. In certain canyons where there’s water there are stands of maples that can really blow your mind. But if getting out of town to see the fall colors isn’t on your agenda, the cottonwoods and the ashes will do the trick. Happy leaf watching!
Please use the open space below to share your first 50 words on the topic “the best trees.”
I live in a place that has a huge party every October. It’s fiesta time along the Rio Grande when the sky fills up with colorful balloons. If the weather cooperates the celebration is complete.
There are plenty of great things to say about my town, but the big balloons once a year top the list.
Please use the open space below to share your first 50 words on the topic “fiesta, fiesta” or on some topic suggested by the photo.
She gave us the structure, she told us the form, we listened to Bessie Smith as examples, we played a few 12 bar run-throughs in different keys. Then she gave us 7 minutes to write our own blues song. And we did it. Mine was kind of stupid, but it was worthy of 7 minutes of work. First song I ever wrote. Yea, me!
Please use the open space below to share your first 50 words on the topic “7 minutes.”
I forgot the soothing sound of your voice. I forgot the soft curls in your hair. I forgot the smooth silk of your forearms. I forgot the little mole under your right earlobe. I forgot the exact color of your eyes when the sky is blue behind you. I forgot the bright crescent of your smile in the dark oval of your face. It’s easy to go on because I forgot everything about you.
Please use the open space below to share your first 50 words on the topic “I forgot.”
Tent Rocks National Monument – ever hear of it? It’s an out of the way spot between Albuquerque and Santa Fe full of beautiful and unusual rock formations. I’ve been there before and I’m planning to go again. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a favorite place for me full of happy memories. Don’t you love getting out of town?
Please use the open space below to share your first 50 words on the topic “favorite places” or on some topic suggested by the photo.
The close captions that describe music make me laugh. They will say “perky music” or “epic music” or some other descriptive about the music. What I wonder is this: does the screenwriter put a note in the script that says merely “perky music” or some such?
Please use the open space below to share your first 50 words on the topic “perky” or on some topic suggested by the photo.
Years ago someone said to me, “We all have our own cross to bear.” That made so much sense to me and has always been a guiding principle in my life. The other day I saw someone tweet that people were struggling with all the things they weren’t tweeting. Same thought, but it makes me aware of how we curate our lives these days. We present only parts of ourselves on Facebook or Twitter and hide the rest. We’re so public but at the same time, we’re so private. We’re still bearing our crosses, even in a world some consider completely without privacy.
Please use the open space below to share your first 50 words on the topic “a curated life.”
I remember as a younger person staring at the stars for hours. I learned to find the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper, Orion, The Pleiades, Gemini and many more. To really see stars, you have to go outside the city. The mountains of New Mexico are a good star watching spot. Best night of star watching I ever had was on the way to Lincoln, NM. We pulled off the road and laid on the fenders and just looked. Ghost Ranch in NM is another good spot. The Milky Way is so close and so bright you can almost feel it.
Please use the open space below to share your first 50 words on the topic “stars.”
