15 July 2009

take a snapshot with words


writing prompts | week 10.
describe what you see. snapshot a scene with words.

i know i dote on details. you already know this about me. you hopefully have done some doting yourselves. here is a new writing prompt that will hopefully have you honing your skills on delivering details. describe something in front of you. focus on something real, something you can envision clearly, it can be right here in your present, or perhaps something of your past. now paint it, picture it, take a mental snapshot and write everything down. choose a scene out your window, a landscape you love, a face of a friend. be objective. be thoughtful. try to present your photograph on your page without trite phrases or typical cliche words. use descriptive language and paint it as true as you possibly can. the truer your words, the more a reader will be able to see what you see and therefore know what you know.

01. describe a place. look into all the nooks and crannies, leave nothing out. snapshot your studio, your backyard, your dentist office, your bedroom, your closet, your cupboards, or your favorite place to write with only words.

02. describe a person. tell who they are on the inside and the out. how do they wear their hair, floppy over the ears or snipped short. do they have freckles or smile lines. what type of shoes do they wear. someone told me once that you can know 90% about a person by noticing what shoes they are wearing. detail someone you know; then detail the stranger sitting next to you on a bus. compare the two 'snapshots'.

03. describe a thing. what does it mean to you? what does it look like in the sunshine, in the dark, in the rain. describe your wedding ring, the moon, your prom dress, your antique bookshelf, your grandmother's dishes. detail the chair you sit upon. or the stack of books next to you or the food in front of you or the salt & pepper shakers you bought on vacation. describe every inch.

detail your life and all the scenes that pass by. look out your window. look in your kitchen sink. look into your baby's eyes. then get out your notebook. pick up your pen. and write.




11 comments:

Jennifer said...

This is a WONDERFUL assignment! Can't wait to print it out, put it in my lil' notebook and get started (when I get out of work tonight). Thanks for the writing revitalization.

{amy k.} said...

great assignment.

where'd you find the tape frames around your pictures? I love that!

summer said...

oh so awesome. i want to be much better at this facet of writing. my most favorite books are always loaded with beautifully detailed descriptions. they are crucial. thanks, miss marta.

ps. truly, those tape frames are perfect are your pretty pictures.

Melissa A said...

I like your writing prompts today. I haven't neccesarily paid attention to them before, because I am more of a visual person. I like pictures, but I would like to add more writing to my blog. Of course your pictures with the pretty colored tape borders is what caught my eye before I read your post. I am going to try and use one of your ideas and add one post a week where I write a little bit more.

Maya Catching Butterflies said...

I love this idea!! I've only recently found my way to your site and I am so glad that I did. I'll definitely try these exercises. I too write a blog and find myself having writer's block often. I think this will definitely help me. If you have time, please visit www.crumbsandquibbles.blogspot.com.

Jill K said...

I love it. I need to take more time to notice everything around me. Having 2 young kids makes it harder to stop and appreciate the little things sometimes.

p.s. I really like your blog.

Travelin'Oma said...

Your pictures say 1,000 words, and your words paint 1,000 pictures. Great combo.

Tiffany said...

Oh yes! Great prompts!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for a great prompt and the inspiration! I'm new to the write club, but am really enjoying it.

Amie Adams said...

Here via the Lovely List. I hope this means you'll be starting up the Write Club again. I love the idea.

Rambles with Reese said...

What great advice!

I'm definitely going to try this.

Love your blog!

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