EXERCISE: Elusive subs? Let's get started!

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Original Posting 11 March 2011 (as part of a campaign to drum up more submissions to the Writers List)

Ha! You thought I'd forgotten, in the midst of earthquake, flood, and fire? No, no, I remembered.

Okay. The target is Sunday, March 27. You can post before that, but let's try to get at least one story (or other work) written by then, okay? That means written and submitted right here, actually, since we're promoting the elusive subs.

Topic, if you want to try it? How about these three things?

Twins. I was actually watching a pair of young women who sing together when I thought of this, but you're welcome to make your twins anything that works for you. Or even have one twin.

Falling from churches. I was thinking of the Christchurch, New Zealand, church which has turned up on our news several times, and the steeple that had fallen. But you can have literal collapse like that, you can do metaphorical falling, or whatever twists your interest.

And, for a bit of whimsy, how about country music? Or whatever genre you like, delivered in your preferred way (does anyone still listen to AM radio? bzzt-click-sputter...).

Okay? Twins, falling from churches, and country music. Mix, match, twist to your heart's delight.

And write!

EXERCISE: Writing Prompt: What's in the bag?

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Original Posting 15 March 2011

(I don't think I ever posted this...)

Okay. At a bus stop, on the bench, sits a paper grocery bag. One or more characters, of your choice, find the grocery bag.

That's it.

What do they do? What is inside? Who (or what?) left it there? What happens when they open it? And then...

For bonus points, of course, you might include the bus coming, the weather, the location (suburb? downtown? Small town or city?), and other incidentals. Is there a store nearby? A phone booth (for Clark Kent to use :-)?

There we go.

CHALLENGE: Elusive Subs (2)!

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Original Posting 27 March 2011

Before I forget, let's see... For the next two weeks (that would be aiming at April 10, right?), how about we toss in a few possible topics? Here, try these:

1. An old painter. Your choice on gender, whether the paintings or the person or the subjects or something else is old (and just how old is old, anyway? I'll bet teenagers have a slightly different viewpoint than those of us who have passed our first half century, somehow. Don't trust anyone over... 80? Nah, it doesn't have the same ring to it as back in the days when anyone over 30 was over-the-hill...). Anyway, an old painter (house, oil, water, or whatever?).

2. A cat. Kitty, kitty, kitty? Something of the feline persuasion (yes, if you want to throw in Catwoman, that's your business). Big cat, little kitty, whatever, add some whiskers to your tale.

Bubble, boil, toil and trouble?

3. I can't decide. Power failure or April Fool's? Okay, take your pick (that's a sneaky way to get 4 topics in, isn't it?). Anyway, the day that things went off (where were they? Was it night or day? How long did the power stay off? What happened...) OR that day when practical jokers often go straight, to avoid being confused with the flood of April Fools jokes. Spin your bottle and pick one of these!

Stir your pot, dance around, and let the power of the word move you right along, okay? When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning or in pouring rain? Fair is... ah, that's a twice-told tale, isn't it? Still pretty good, though.

So, an old painter, a cat, and either power failure or April Fool's. And a story, limerick, wild essay, tale from the cryptic persona, or whatever makes you...

WRITE!

EXERCISE: Elusive Subs, Round 3!

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Original Posting 10 April 2011

Hum, I wonder if Spring Fever is setting in? Ah, well. Let's see. The target date for this round would be around April 24, right? So we'll have finished tax madness and be headed into May flowers, or something like that.

And for the tags to hang your tale on this time... I'll borrow some from a writing game I listened to recently. So, your task, should you choose to take it on, is to incorporate (in some way, shape, or form of your choice):

1.  Romance
2.  The world's strongest man
3.  Buried treasure

Romance? Well, the shape is up to you, but I'd suggest something romantic :-)

Can do? Good. So, on your marks, get ready, and... WRITE!

EXERCISE: She missed her own wedding?

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Original Posting 12 April 2011

[Huh -- it looks like I wrote this up back in early February, but didn't post it? Oh, well... it's still a good exercise! tink]

This morning, one of the early talk shows included a little bit about a bride and her mother who were an hour and a half late to the wedding.

Apparently, on their way to the wedding in the subway, a man collapsed in the car. The bride, who is a nurse, immediately checked him and started CPR. At the next station, a station attendant brought an AED into the car. He apparently said he didn't know how to use it, but...

The nurse said she did know how to use it. She took it, opened it, and applied it.

The first shock did not do the job. While the bride waited for the AED to recharge, she was surprised to hear the crowd standing around chanting "Gambare!" (Fight!). She looked around and realized that they had a whole group watching. The next time she applied the AED, the man shuddered, and started breathing again.

He was taken to a hospital, where he is recovering.

The 29-year-old bride, and her mother, rushed to the wedding. Although delayed, she did manage to get married, too.

They told this story mostly as lead-in to a larger story about how many AEDs have been distributed, and how everyone should get training in how to use them. They also demonstrated on the talk show that once you open it, the AED tells you step-by-step what to do, so even if you haven't gotten training, you can use it.

I have to admit, I wondered about the other story. I mean, imagine being the bridegroom, waiting at the church... and your bride and her mother don't show up. What do you, and the other people who are there, tell each other? What goes through your mind?

And when they do show up, and tell you they stopped to save someone's life? What do you say then?

What about it? Could you write that story? Go ahead, tell us about the wedding... that started late!