At Thursday’s meeting, after getting a chance to catch up, each Word Pirate read something to the group. Some were based on our first writing prompt (pick a random sentence from a book and write based on it), others were based on past writing group exercises or personal experience. Though the formats varied — stories, essays, poetry — the common thread was that they were all engaging. Can’t wait till the next meeting. Once we have more Word Pirates prompts under our belts, we hope to expand the discussion period about our work. Any Word Pirates who would like to post their work on this site are very welcome to do so!

We went with a two-part writing prompt. For the first part we talked about where our ideas come from and how we manage them. Then we made a list of all our ideas for personal essays and shared some with the group. Next, we spent 15 minutes getting started on one idea so that we can bring a draft of the essay to the next meeting. Anyone who couldn’t make it to the meeting and would like to talk about ideas so s/he can participate in the reading next meeting is welcome to contact us.

The good folks at Timothy McSweeney’s Internet Tendency are always good for a giggle. Here are some excerpts from a list they did that had me laughing out loud. Enjoy!

From “Thirteen Writing Prompts” by Dan Wiencek:

Write a scene showing a man and a woman arguing over the man’s friendship with a former girlfriend. Do not mention the girlfriend, the man, the woman, or the argument.

…

Choose your favorite historical figure and imagine if he/she had been led to greatness by the promptings of an invisible imp living behind his or her right ear. Write a story from the point of view of this creature. Where did it come from? What are its goals? Use research to make your story as accurate as possible.

…

Write a story that ends with the following sentence: Debra brushed the sand from her blouse, took a last, wistful look at the now putrefying horse, and stepped into the hot-air balloon.

…

Imagine if your favorite character from 19th-century fiction had been born without thumbs. Then write a short story about them winning the lottery.

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A husband and wife are meeting in a restaurant to finalize the terms of their impending divorce. Write the scene from the point of view of a busboy snorting cocaine in the restroom.

If you write something on any of those prompts, I demand you send it to us so we can post it here.

Click here to read the full list.

You may also click here for another writing-related funny from McSweeney’s.