Category Archives: Prompts

February Word Challenge, Day 1

By lytspeed Posted in February Word Challenge, Prompts Leave a reply

(As noted in my last post, today begins the February Word Challenge proposed by J.T. Evans.)

My five random words for today’s exercise are chapel, masking tape, peanut, gang, and copier.

Chosen word for free association: copier
photocopy, scribe, illuminated manuscript, The Secret of Kells, tower, Vikings, raids

Exercise:
Smoke drifted on the Irish wind, obscuring at times the high crosses and five-windowed tower of the Kells monastery. The Book rested safely on its pedestal, high in the tower, while Viking raiders circled below, oblivious to its presence.

(Well, that’s not much, but it’s only a 10 minute exercise.)

Writing Prompt: Hideout

By lytspeed Posted in Prompts, Writing Leave a reply

In the box.  I have to stay in the box until Dad finds me.

There are lots of noises downstairs.  Doors slamming, people talking.  Loud, squawky radios like the ones policemen carry.  Dad’s yelling again.

I wish I had been in the balloon.  I wish I could have floated far away.  Away from the cameras, away from the shows.  Away from Dad.  Well, not really.  Not away from Nice Dad or Science Dad, but away from Mean Dad.  Maybe Mean Dad will float away someday and leave real Dad behind.

They’re calling my name again, but I have to be quiet.  I have to hide.  “Stay in the box until I open it, Falcon.  Do you understand?  It’s important, because it’s for the show.”  I remember nodding, but now I don’t want to stay in the box.  I want to fly away.  It’s dark, and I hear lots of strange voices, and it’s noisy outside, and I’m hungry, and I’m scared.  And I don’t feel good.

Please, Dad, find me soon.

Class Writing Prompt: Biter Bitten (100 words, no repeats)

By lytspeed Posted in Prompts, Writing Leave a reply

Ouroboros

Look at him, stalking his tail, blur of black fur and flashing fangs, spinning ’round in senseless spiral. Nip o’ the tip, head snaps around, looking for attackers, seeing only a familiar, dark, shiny coat. No matter. Back to hunting, closing on wild, waving, wagging appendages. Lunge, bite, yelp! Alas, unwieldy prey escapes again.

You’d think he’d learn that he’s biting himself, but not so. He just keeps chasing, nipping, barking, endlessly.

Meanwhile, I take long pulls from Marlboros, then exhale, watching smoke fill space between us. Lighting one butt with another, I’m crafting my own vicious draconic circle.

Write about the horizon

By lytspeed Posted in Prompts, Science, Space, Writing Leave a reply

All for McNaught

The brightest comet in recent memory suddenly appeared in the sky a few days ago. Discovered on August 7th, 2006 by Robert McNaught in Australia, it has been hanging around the sun during mornings and evenings, becoming visible as light waned and waxed and then either dipping below the horizon or being drowned in the sun’s glare.

However, it surprised astronomers worldwide yesterday, by remaining visible in full daylight. Our chance to view the comet in the northern hemisphere is pretty much over now, but as the comet rounds the sun and slings itself back out into space, it will become visible in the southern hemisphere, much to the delight of its discoverer, I’m sure.

I should have made the effort to get up and see it some morning. The pictures look pretty astonishing. However, my energy simply hasn’t been there for that. I just finished the seventh day of my ten day stretch at work, and I’m already bound for overtime in the current week. As I write this, I’m yawning about every two minutes.