Thursday, June 14, 2018

My First Writing Prompt Post


This is a response to a prompt from the meeting on July 16, 2017, though I have not been able to type it up until now. I have been asked to share it, so I hope readers find this enjoyable.

The prompt was: What do you think goes through a dog’s mind when he goes along peeing on every telephone poll and hedge he can find.



Doggy Domain

I can smell them. Their acrid odour fills my nostrils. Those haggard, flea-bitten, yowling racks of fur have invaded my yard again. There in the flower bed they have left their work. Burying it does squat. I got whiffs of their business from the other side of my doggy door. But the lily bush! Oh, the poor lily bush. It’s been sprayed top to bottom, and the vandal could not stop. He scratched up the fencepost before marking it as well!

No! I won’t let that stand! This is my space, and I am going to make sure every creature on the street knows it! First to the edge of the porch, right by the stairs. I’ll drench it good there. Then to the lilies. I’ll freshen them up myself. Now to the tree. So many passing by have left their calling card, but they need to know the tree is mine. The fencepost? Mine. The rusty fire hydrant? Also, mine, and no one else’s.

I have covered my own domain, but I need to expand. I circle the fence and up the neighboring driveway. There I see shoes. Now my shoes. A skateboard. My skateboard. The giant truck on the pavement sits there as well. I can’t use it, but it’s mine now anyway. Ah wait, I see you now, you mangy, poor excuse for a feline. Get over here! That large white coat of yours, I say its mine! So, stay still already! You want to hide in the tree, eh? Well, that girl is not running away. I’ll just come over to her and, yep, she’s mine too.

Oh, now there is a lady coming this way. She is not standing still at all. I’ll run into my zone. Hey, wait, she can’t go near that truck. That’s my truck! And those shoes! Also mine! Now you don’t want them. Fine. Put them back! Good, now, hey! Stay in your yard! This is my yard! That fence is mine! The tree is mine!  The lily bush is mine! The porch is mine! Get off it! What are you knocking on the door for? The inside of the house is mine too!

Oh Billy! Billy! Tell this strange lady to go away. This is my yard. What is she pointing at? I can’t mark anything that high. I mean look at me. Wait. I have to go inside? But I only just got started! I’m not done yet! Those cats will cover all my hard work the moment they come out of hiding. No. Not yet. I know. I’ll take the fight to them! Yes, there it is. Their fountain right in front of the window. I’ll saddle up here and mission accomplished! The dog rules the day! And now, wait, put me down! Billy! Stop it! I’m being puppy-handled! Stop! Billy!

Monday, June 11, 2018

Sunday, June 10, 2018, Meeting Notes


We had 3 new writers join us. It is great to see our family growing.

Katie is preparing to self-publish her fantasy novella and is in search of someone to design her cover. A couple of ideas were offered to her.

Patricia reported that the library has now added the HWG meetings to their digital display screen in the lobby. Patricia stayed after the meeting to see the Headwaters Writers' Guild logo along with the date of the "next meeting".

As part of our commitment to our partnership with the Orangeville Public Library, Marilyn Kleiber will be holding three full day creative writing workshops free to the public. These workshops take place from 10am-3pm on 3 Saturdays. They are September 22nd - Creating Great Characters; October 27th - Save $ By Editing Like a Pro; and November 24th - How to Self Publish. We hope and expect group members will attend one or more of these workshops.

Last fall the Library provided the group with information regarding their new Biblioboard online tools for writers. They would like to meet with our group. As there was a switch in leaders this week, we are proposing this meeting take place at our regularly scheduled group meeting on Sunday, September 23rd. As we are unclear as to what this new program entails, everyone is encouraged to attend if possible.


Prompts as provided by Virginia.

Select one or two from each [category]. I have tried to keep most categories as open as possible. Feel free to create a non-human character such as an elf, angel, demon, etc., and to substitute anything in any category.


Situation
Divorce
Marriage
Inheritance
Loss
Argument/Fight
Need to make a decision
Search
Change of Plans
Dilemma
Escape
Hiding
Accident

Goal/Object of Desire
Animal
Win
Recognition
Material Object
Another person
"Toy"
Place
Knowledge
Adventure

Opposed By
Internal Flaw
Illness
Another person
Personal Emotion
Size
Addiction
Infirmity (mental or physical)
A group
Secret
Situation

Setting
Game venue
Place of business
Home
School
Forest
Mountain
Farm
Hospital
Park
Court
Outer space
Foreign Country
Prison
Sea/beach
Battleground

Assisted By
Special ability
High intelligence
A person
An animal
A book
Personality
Looks
Location
Special knowledge


Please feel free to share your writing here.

Next Meeting: Sunday, June 24th.
June is scheduled to Lead