EXERCISE: that old swimming hole

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

original posting 14 April 2009

Writer's Digest, February 2009, page 53, offers this contest prompt:

"Three boys decide to go have some fun at the local swimming hole. Shortly after they arrive, something terrible happens." From the Writer's Book of Matches by the staff of fresh boiled peanuts: a literary journal.

Do people still recognize the local swimming hole? Or is that a rural trope that is rapidly aging? We didn't have one in the corner of Maryland where I grew up, but I did learn about the one in Ohio under the willow trees near my grandparents' home. But I'm not sure that everyone recognizes that gathering place for the kids?

You might consider some other places for your three boys to go get in trouble. Or you might even consider switching genders -- where would three girls go to get in trouble?

And, of course, what happened then? Tell us all about it.
Write!

FILL: Automatic Writing Prompts?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

original posting 15 April 2009

You might remember that I was jabbering about 5, 10, and 20 minute writing practice recently? Well, I got to playing, and now there are three pages that provide you with a writing prompt and timers! Go over here and you'll see what I mean. You have to provide your own writing medium (editor, paper, whatever) but I think this is kind of fun!

http://www.aist-nara.ac.jp/~mbarker/writers/ExercisePages/