Russell Literary Groups

Russell Writers

Each month of 2012 brings the Russell Writers a writing challenge to spark their imaginations. Of course, you are always welcome to write on any topic and in any format you choose, but we hope these writing prompts are helpful for those times when you’re not sure where to begin.

The Russell Writers meet on the second Saturday of the month, from 9:30am until noon, in the third floor Meeting Room.  Each participant will have a chance to read his or her work (please bring several copies) and have it gently critiqued by the other members. All writers, from beginners to the experienced, are welcome. Please join us!

For more information, contact Michele Rousseau at 344-8136 or shellywriter@sbcglobal.net, or call Russell Library’s Programs and Publicity office at 347-2528, ext . 135.

2012 Schedule

January 14 2012 You live in an octagonal house, on a vast tract of land that you own. Abutting each side of the residence, you are going to sell a five-acre building lot. Therefore, you can be very selective to whom you sell each ftact. Write about whom you select and the reasonwhy you makp the choices that you do. (Note: For the purpose of this exercise, you may choose a person or persons now deceased and assume the person is currently living.)

February 11, 2012  Develop a story or poem about things left unsaid and/or undone.

March 10, 2012 Write about a huge disappointment or hurt in your life. Include (l) whether or not time has tempered the feeling associated with it; (2) if you now do or do not have a different perspective on it; (3) and whether you now are just as hurt and disappointed as you were when it actuallv occurred.

April 14, 2012 If you generally write fiction,write a memoir.If you typically write nonfiction, write afictional short story in any genre.

May 12, 2012  Write about someone; something; some time; some event; some experience that you always want to remember. Make it clear to your readers why it is that you wish never to forget it.

June 9, 2012 Create a story about the child you once were. What did you think, feel, do, believe, enjoy, dislike, etc. Is that child, or any element of her/trim still within you? Have you cast off certain aspects of that child you once were? If so, which one, and with what, if anything, have you replaced them?

July 14, 2012: At a yard sale, a portrait catches your fancy, and you purchase it. The subjects are two children about age eleven. It is obvious that the two are twins. Yet, one has green eyes and straight black hair; the other has blue eyes and curly red hair. You hang the portrait on the wall opposite your bed. The oil canvas, however, is especial: after you are asleep each night, the subjects become real and step out of the picture. Write a fanciful story, detailing for your readers (l) the escapades of the two; (2) the conversations that ensue between them; (3) which of the two is the dominant child; (4) before morning, whether or not they return to being portraits on a canvas; and (5) are the twins of the same sex, or is one a boy and the other a girl?

August 11, 2012 Relate to your readers about glory, bravery, and fearlessness.

September 8, 2012 Share with your readers about a time in your life when you were extremely angry. At this present time in your life, is that anger still a part of your being? If not, when, why, and what caused you to let it go?

October 13,2012  From the viewpoint of whatever age you are, write about old age.

November 10, 2012  Write about a promise or promises made, either by you or someone else, that were never kept.  Let your readers know (l) how you felt; (2) what you did; (3) what was said at that/those point(s) in time. Make it cleart o your readers whether or not your feelings have since changed.  If so, in what way.

December 8, 2012  Write about: What your truth is. That is, what you believe about (1) life; (2) living; (3) the purpose for you being a resident on Earth; (4) your relationship (if any) with the deity (if any) of your understanding; and (5) in the event that you do not believe in a Higher Power, explain why.