Fun ideas!!!

ajc · May 31, 2011

This is not for critique, but I put it in here because it is for the people of critique. Coming off the poetry contest I think it would be fun to jumpstart some new prompt/ish stuff. We previously did picture/art prompts with a different person choosing each week. We could do that again if people liked it (I personally thought it was fun and got people writing) or we could do word/words prompts and different people could pick the theme each week or to make it even more fun/challenging we could ask people to write on a pic and must include a "word/words".

What do you guys think?

kborsden · May 31, 2011

Egg--selling idea!

TexasPoet · May 31, 2011

Love the idea.....I've been in writer's block for a week now....this would be great.

tp

Blarg · May 31, 2011

Not 100% keen on over-directed prompts ("use this word"), but there are so many different kinds of prompts that sooner or later, everyone could probably find one to like.

My only thought is that people shouldn't search their archives for completed poems to fill the bill. I've seen that in other threads on other forums, and it takes the spontaneity out of it.

Oh, one other thought at the moment and it's probably pretty obvious -- you suggest the prompt, you must participate!

kborsden · May 31, 2011

Spot on Blarg

Magdalen · May 31, 2011

Billytwice · May 31, 2011

Why reinvent the wheel?

Just resurrect some of the old threads...

kborsden · May 31, 2011

Billytwice said:
Why reinvent the wheel?

When the wheel stops turning, the axle isn't always the first place to look for repair...

Billytwice · May 31, 2011

kborsden said:
When the wheel stops turning, the axle isn't always the first place to look for repair...

?

Who mentioned axles?

Not one of your better ones I'm afraid.

Billytwice · May 31, 2011

Perhaps a mod could create a 'sticky' folder called 'Escape from Writer's Block' or similar and place links to the old prompts in there?

kborsden · May 31, 2011

Billytwice said:
?

Who mentioned axles?

Not one of your better ones I'm afraid.

I can't be great all the time - we all need to slack off at some point...

Billytwice said:
Perhaps a mod could create a 'sticky' folder called 'Escape from Writer's Block' or similar and place links to the old prompts in there?

That's a good idea

ajc · May 31, 2011

Billytwice said:
Perhaps a mod could create a 'sticky' folder called 'Escape from Writer's Block' or similar and place links to the old prompts in there?

Why do we want links to old prompts?

Is this serious or silly?

Billy, I sure hope you will be a "yes" even for just sometimes if the pic/prompt moves you. I remember your last picture that you chose and it was so excellent.

ajc · May 31, 2011

Okay, we can go two different ways. Said person can post a photo or a picture of a piece of art or maybe even a quote (how do people feel about a quote?) without any other requirements like:

Or the other option is that said person posts the pic with something else like a theme or word requirement like:
Use the word miasma or have a "theme" of miasma in your poem.

Thoughts or feelings one way or another?

Brandt · May 31, 2011

I would like the former myself...sounds fun.

Blarg · May 31, 2011

I think it's dealer's choice, ajc. Whoever sets it up, makes the rules, and if people don't want to participate, you'll find out soon enough.

I think if you tried to make up a prompt by committee, it would take a month and still people would think it missed the mark.

ajc · May 31, 2011

Okay...why don't we sign up and leave it up to the person who signs up whether he/she wants to do a photo, art or quote and if they want to add a word or theme. Participate if the spirit moves you.

If you want to have a week copy the numbers below and add your name in. Once we have a bunch of participants we'll start.

Week 1: ajc
Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 6:
Week 7:
Week 8:
Week 9:
Week 10:

kborsden · May 31, 2011

Isn't miasma a bit too medieval for the urban scene in the image?

ajc · May 31, 2011

kborsden said:
Isn't miasma a bit too medieval for the urban scene in the image?

I guess that would be the true challenge

. Okay, cheeky one...is this you signing up or what?

Blarg · May 31, 2011

That's a double-step prompt, very tricky. I'm not sure you want to craft the responses so narrowly as to inhibit people.

But we'll find out.

kborsden · May 31, 2011

ajc said:
I guess that would be the true challenge . Okay, cheeky one...is this you signing up or what?

I'll see when the mood takes me -- I'm not entirely opposed to the idea - but also find it hard to create when it becomes siphoned. I'll say yes for now, for the challenge and see what comes.

ajc · Jun 1, 2011

Blarg said:
That's a double-step prompt, very tricky. I'm not sure you want to craft the responses so narrowly as to inhibit people.

But we'll find out.

What does this mean? I thought it was the opposite of narrowly. Basically, when your turn comes it's open for your
interpretation. Is that narrow?

DL Hegel · Jun 1, 2011

I like picture prompts. I found some evil carebears if anyone would be interested? :tongue

I use random google picture searches for story ideas or just vigns. Never really used them for poetry but I think it's a fine idea. I think open interp, no words would be best.

The entire folder of old prompts isn't a bad idea either. Some people may not have read them before so they'll be new to them.

dl

Steppe · Jun 1, 2011

I like picture prompts best. I set and look and think and let the muse wonder around for awhile. Sometimes the pic won't do a thing for me. Sometimes I'm overwhelmed with ideas.

But lets face it, we all have our own interests and a pic with something of our own history and yearnings in it will serve us best.

Yes I'll participate but not with every pic.

2-Steppe

I also think the pic by itself would be best. Let the poet get out of it what he/she can.

PS- Being an internet dunce, I have trouble uploading large pics to the forum, or any pic for that matter.

PS2- Wouldn't it be best to start the new prompt on a certain day, like Monday or some such ajc?

Blarg · Jun 1, 2011

ajc said:
What does this mean? I thought it was the opposite of narrowly. Basically, when your turn comes it's open for your
interpretation. Is that narrow?

This is two prompts in one, with one of them further narrowing the possible responses:

said person posts the pic with something else like a theme or word requirement like:
Use the word miasma or have a "theme" of miasma in your poem.

Like I was saying, it seems obvious to me that this is dealer's choice. But I would expect that the tighter the possible respondent is wedged into a corner, the less likely there will be responses at all.

On another note, do you think a week is long enough between prompts? We had a month for the something/nothing contest and got only about a dozen entries. It won't be as much fun if people don't have time to stew and sweat over a prompt a bit. Plus get away from work and the kids and the zombie apocalypse long enough. I'd suggest two weeks between prompts.

ajc · Jun 1, 2011

That was just an idea. Asking what people liked/did not. I've decided to just let the "post-er" pick what they want to do each week, it seems to be the thing that allows for the most fun/creativity. A week seemed to be fine last time. Lots participated. I think contests are scarier...people judging your stuff...putting it out for all to see etc. I know I felt very nervous.

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