I have become a big fan of writing exercises, particularly ekphrastic ones. I think that these exercises keep me on my toes, get my blood flowing when all I feel is lumpy and stagnant. I like to be challenged as a writer, to be pushed into directions I may not go on my own. Sometimes, amazing things happen. Sometimes, the results are wholly uninspired. But, no matter what, I am writing and even if I only end up with morsels from the exercises, I have words from which to build things that may have remained closeted and dusty. The exercises also help to harness my focus and get me back to working on my collection (which feels like a herculean task, most of the time). For prolific writers, these exercises may seem silly, but for those like me, who embody the roots of procrastination, I think they are a wonderful tool.
Clearly, I can’t recommend these things enough; every month I post about them. And now, there is an opportunity every Thursday from Ink in Thirds (yes, I am a bit late, but there is next week, and you can still do this weeks). Anyway…..this is my response to the image from yesterday (I give myself 5 minutes or less to come up with these, not letting myself think too much ), and who knows what might grow from these morsels.
You pull back the veil of your pen,
expose the ache through your fingers,
pin pricks of sorrow left behind in the ink stains.
Now I am going back to the collection…..no, really, I am……right after I make another cup of coffee.
August 17, 2018 at 7:18 am
There’s a competition every month on Rattle for Ekphrastic Poetry (easily found on google), there’s an American cash prize. I enter every month and never win – but I’ve got some of my favourite poetry from their challenges!
I also love Ekphrastic challenges.
August 17, 2018 at 8:00 am
Yes, I do the Rattle challenge every month as well, and have never won – but some of the poems I have written for it have gone on to be published elsewhere. Do you do the Visual Verse challenge? What other ekphrastic challenges do you know of? I am always looking, but right now I just have the 3.
August 17, 2018 at 7:21 am
Thank you for sharing this link and site. I have added them to my reader and might explore this further.
August 17, 2018 at 8:00 am
They are also always open to submissions!!!!
August 17, 2018 at 8:03 am
I was noticing that.
August 17, 2018 at 7:25 am
OK, I added mine in their comments…that was exhilarating.
August 17, 2018 at 7:57 am
I am so thrilled! Of course your offering is amazing! You were made for the TLT challenge.
August 17, 2018 at 7:50 am
I like this!
August 17, 2018 at 8:01 am
Thank you! It is really fun!
August 17, 2018 at 9:13 am
I came to realize I like to be challenged myself. You said the right thing:
To be pushed into directions I may not go on my own. So true. Hence, the diversity in our writing. Isn’t literature something? It gives you wings to fly and you can be whoever you want to.
August 17, 2018 at 10:21 am
I Love this, B!!!! Yes Yes Absolutely! I love that any kind of art can’t really be compared to another, just as a mind and heart can’t be. We are all so unique in our ways.
August 17, 2018 at 11:42 am
the keyboard
is our new
word press
August 17, 2018 at 1:32 pm
I love what you wrote in response to this challenge.
August 17, 2018 at 2:09 pm
Thank you so much!!!! I hope you give it a go as well!!!!
August 17, 2018 at 2:25 pm
The fact that these exercises work for you, even if only sometimes, makes me think about how we each find our own way to write. The methods that work are as individual as we are.
August 18, 2018 at 6:55 am
So true!!!! I think it’s just another reason why art can’t really ever be compared.
August 17, 2018 at 2:26 pm
Yes, I’ve copied the link and started brainstorming on the artwork. Thanks for posting this!!
August 18, 2018 at 6:57 am
Wonderful!!!!
August 21, 2018 at 8:25 pm
Love this! 💛
August 22, 2018 at 6:01 am
Thank you, Beautiful Lady! You should give it a go tomorrow!!!
November 8, 2018 at 9:39 pm
just love it.
November 9, 2018 at 7:44 am
Thank you!
November 11, 2018 at 9:52 pm
You are most welcome
November 26, 2018 at 7:00 am
You are right, writing brings out the sorrow that we have been hiding in our hearts