And for Today's 'Prompt Response'. Penny Dolan

 The heat has been weighing down on everything for too long, and I feel too lazy to write anything right now, and way to lacking in self conviction. So I was pleased when, shuffling around in my bookshelves, I rediscovered the original 'A Writer's Book of Days', published in America over two decades ago.

 

Judy Reeves, the author, labels her book with an rather enthusiastic strapline, 'A Spirited Companion & Lively Muse for the Writing Life'. A title definitely not of the 'Construct your own MegaBlockbuster' writing genre. 

Month by month, in her bracingly encouraging style, Reeves suggests methods of breaking through reluctance and doubts along with lists a mixed selection of gossipy 'famous writer' facts. The main drive of the book, however, is to encourage the reader to build a daily writing practice.

To push things along, Reeves gives a list of optional Daily Prompts, leaving the reader free as to how to respond to the idea, and whatever character, voice or style they choose. She is, simply , very keen for her students to do some writing, to not put it off, and to get some words on the page asap. Also, I felt myself responding to the style of  her suggestions.

So here are seven of her random prompts, which you could use for a bit of daily writing of your own right now.

1 Write about a time you got what you wanted.

 2 The last time I saw . . . 

 3 Open the box

 4 Write about a wound.

 5 These were the reasons to stay.

 6 Write about a voice.

 7  Night is falling. You're not at home.

 

 Do any interest you, I wonder?

 If so, have fun! 

Penny Dolan 

I'm delighted to say that Judy Reeves website is there for you to find out more about her work and teaching:  https://www.judyreeveswriter.com/  The book pictured is a revised version: I wonder what has been changed?

Playtime by Tracy Darnton

I’m sharing my latest procrastination task – setting up an escape room for writer friends on our forthcoming day retreat.

This means that I’m looking anew at every item in my house as to whether it can be repurposed as a writing exercise/escape room task. Wooden spoon and mixing bowl? Excellent for the writing an abstract recipe exercise. Tiny objects? Perfect for my six objects in a story task.

Paint colour charts? I’m sucked in by the possibilities of titles like ‘Between Dog and Wolf’ and ‘Invisible Green’ or a detective called ‘Juniper Ash’.

I’ve been reading Michael Rosen’s Book of Play! Rosen’s book sets out all the learned reasons why play has developed and why it matters. It’s full of play suggestions and I realise that many of those, especially the wordplay, have been part of my day-to-day since forever. In fact, the way I play around with ‘What if' scenarios or make my characters do improv. is a big part of how I develop a book idea, especially as I am not a plotter thinking about mid-points and Three Act Structures.

Far from growing out of this once the kids left home, I seem to be liking ‘play’ more and more as I get older. Is it OK to just like playing, even though I am getting on in life? I took part in an ‘adults only’ craft session at the Wellcome Collection based around the In Plain Sight exhibition. That’s always one of my favourite places to visit in London for interesting ideas and a strong element of play and creativity about the way information is presented. And I was the oldest there by a good twenty years. But, so what? (That's a photo of my eye in the middle).

 

This week I’ve also been distracted by making small, woolly wigs for cardboard avocados (Don’t ask!) But, dear reader, I enjoyed it.

Let’s hope that the friends I’m ‘locking’ in the escape room have a similar playful approach. We’ll soon see.

My issue is that once my brain sets off in that direction, I find it hard to rein it back to the task in hand. So diligently adding to my WIP, ticking off every 500 words, is a monumental effort.

Speaking of which, my word target beckons. After I’ve set up some more bookish anagrams and turned a cupboard into a time machine….

 

  

Tracy Darnton is the author of YA thrillers Ready or Not, The Rules and The Truth About Lies. She tries really hard to be a grown up. You can follow her @TracyDarnton on Twitter and Instagram.