Are you writing about what you dream or do you dream of writing…decide and tell your story…
Featured Quote:
“All of us failed to match our dreams of perfection. So I rate us on the basis of our splendid failure to do the impossible.”
William Faulkner
Featured Poems:
There is No Frigate Like a Book
By: Emily Dickinson
There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!
A Dream Deferred
By: Langston Hughes
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore–
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over–
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
Poetry Writing Prompt:
What if our dream did explode and made it’s way into someone else’s life. How would that poet write about the tiny part of the dream they received? Will they ever connect?
Short Story Writing Prompt:
Write about those tiny pieces of a dream a character may received and what he/she does with it. How closely connected do each character feel to each other? Do they know that they are tied together by the same dream? If you need help in deciding on a plot or setting, check out The Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson. As you write share your work with others so that each character can grow and realize more of the dream than an individual author can deliver.
Departing poetic thoughts…
Little
© 2009 Skyler Wolf Jones
A little piece of dirt,
I see you, dried up in the scorching sun,
Waiting for a drop of rain,
To soak away the cracks and pain.
A little piece of land,
With dirt and bugs a little bland,
No vegetation growing in this earth,
I wonder what it’s worth.
A little piece of me,
Deserted from the life I know,
Is this the way I want to live,
No experiences to help me grow.
Moisture for the dirt,
Water for the land,
Emotion for my life,
And the will to take a stand.
All the little pieces,
Are essential for the whole,
All the little life experiences,
Are essential for your soul.
Give yourself a little dream,
Take a little glance,
At the life you’ve left out to dry,
Give it another chance.
If you are an author in search of readers or have comments about our show, contact us:
ramblingverser@storyinstitute.com
615-431-WRIT (9748)
This week’s episode was brought to you by Enchanted Travel Tales, bringing travel, magic, and fun to your holidays.
Remember to Imagine, Enhance, & Grow Your Stories @ www.storyinstitute.com
Running Time: 11 minutes 35 second
Tags: Author conversations, belief, characters, Emily Dickinson, inner voice, Inspiration, Langston Hughes, poetry, Skyler Wolf Jones, William Faulkner, writing, writing methods, writing podcast, writing tips
Poems from our forums and relationships found…
Featured Quotes:
“A single rose can be my garden… a single friend, my world.”
Leo Buscaglia
“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
Marcel Proust
Featured Poem: One Word Is Too Often Profaned
By: Percy Bysshe Shelley
One word is too often profaned
For me to profane it;
One feeling too falsely disdained
For thee to disdain it;
One hope is too like despair
For prudence to smother;
And pity from thee more dear
Than that from another.
I can give not what men call love;
But wilt thou accept not
The worship the heart lifts above
And the heavens reject not,
The desire of the moth for the star,
Of the night for the morrow,
The devotion to something afar
From the sphere of our sorrow?
Poems from our Forums:
Something Mystical
By: Lamar Cole
Something mystical happened today.
I felt your touch.
Even though you’re far away.
I felt your hands upon my face.
It seemed as though your sweet lips.
I could taste.
It seemed as if I could feel your embrace.
It took me to a wonderful place
Because even when you’re far away.
I feel your love in every way.
Thirsty Soul
By:Lamar Cole
Love, darling, is you.
Your love cascaded down the waterfalls of your heart.
To my thirsty soul.
Your love filled the crevices of my life.
Your love is my lighthouse.
My beacon in the night.
I found home in your heart.
Short Story Topics – Roll of the Dice
What if our life did depend on the roll of a dice? A gambling woman would carry around her own dice. Every move, every call, she makes is determined by her roll. Each option is assigned a number that corresponds to the dots on the dice. One means she takes the bus to work; Five indicates she takes her bike. This is not always the best method, but she rolls them every day…she needs to roll them everyday.
What event in her life triggered this behavior? Why is she bound to keep on rolling? Has she ever stopped trying? If she did, what happened? Did she lose her job? Did she lose a loved one? Did she go back a few spaces and start this round of her life over again…same house, same car, same trials and tribulations.
What would the roll of the dice bring if it was on the edge? Does the woman wish to even think about it? Where did these dice come from? Who had them before her? Can she get rid of them? Or, do they end when her streak ends? Decide on the story, and write. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…
If you are an author in search of readers or have comments about our show, contact us:
ramblingverser@storyinstitute.com
615-431-WRIT (9748)
Remember to Imagine, Enhance, & Grow Your Stories @ www.storyinstitute.com
Running Time: 11 minutes 29 seconds
Tags: Author conversations, belief, characters, inner voice, Inspiration, Lamar Cole, Leo Buscaglia, Marcel Proust, Percy Bysshe Shelly, poetry, writing, writing methods, writing podcast, writing tips
More podcasts and thoughts to get your writing moving and your creativity flowing…John shares one last handful of his favorite audio inspirations…
Featured Quotes:
A poem begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, a homesickness, a lovesickness.
By: Robert Frost
A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom.
By: Robert Frost
John shares some more of his favorite podcasts that help inspire and influence him.
Check out these great shows and sites:
Chad Corrie’s Mega Feed (The Works Worlds of Chad Corrie, Cauldron of Worlds, & The World of Traloden) – Chad Corrie
Grammar Girl – Mignon Fogarty
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/
The Memory Palace – Nate DiMeo
BetaMouse – Henry Work, Jeff Chaney, Nate Parrish, Scott Barrett, Katie Siloac
WedWay Radio – Nate and Matt Parrish
http://wedwayradio.squarespace...
Be Our Guest Podcast – Mike Rahlmann, Rikki Niblett, Pam Forrester, Debbie Robertson
Do you have any favorite podcasts you would like to share? Have you turned your book, poetry, or writing into a podcast? Tell us about it either at www.storyinsititue.com‘s forum, email (ramblingverser@storyinstitute.com), or phone (615-431-WRIT).
Featured Poetry Writing Prompt:
A rose is a complicated flower, both to grow and behold. The color of this symbol can determine the type of relationship you share. The level of thorns can determine how long you would like to remain in that relationship. Connecting to the buds themselves enable you to appreciate the flowers and the person receiving them.
Be creative. Be encouraging. Be as intense as the hues these beautiful creations of nature. Open your heart as the petals expand. Tie your story into the intensity of the blooming intricacies. Post it at storyinstitute.com, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…
Not Just a Rose
White is the innocent beauty,
Which you will always be.
Pink is the friendship which we share,
Showing each other we really care.
Red is the eternal peace and love,
We attempt to realize,
As we continue to touch each other’s lives.
Featured Short Story Writing Prompt:
Have you ever thought that the horse of a different color could be real? What if the wish of one little girl helped make this fantasy more of a reality? What if the horse changed colors depending on the mood it was in? What if? What if? That is what the 6 year old little girl kept asking her daddy after taking a few riding lessons.
She was so enthralled by the horse, she wanted to be able to keep him. Her dad told her that they did not allow horses in their neighborhood and if he was seen, they would send him back to the farm. The little girl asked if the horse could hide for a while. She asked if she could talk to the horse about it. She asked, she did, and the horse, somehow found a way to be with the little girl. It seemed to camouflage itself and blend in. However, when the little girl needed a ride or just wanted to see her special friend, he was there.
Tell the story of how. Tell the story of why. Tell the story of when. Tell about the father and whether he believed. Share more than just a little girl and a special horse. Share more than a fantastic adventure about a horse. Share how strong a belief needs to be for a happenstance like this to become real. Decide on the story and write. Post it at storyinstitute.com, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…
If you are an author in search of readers or have comments about our show, contact us:
ramblingverser@storyinstitute.com
615-431-WRIT (9748)
Remember to Imagine, Enhance, & Grow Your Stories @ www.storyinstitute.com
Running Time: 19 minutes 9 seconds
Tags: Author conversations, belief, characters, inner voice, Inspiration, poetry, Robert Frost, writing, writing methods, writing podcast, writing tips
Podcasts and thoughts to get your writing moving and your creativity flowing…John shares a handful of his favorite audio inspirations…
Featured Quote:
Belief, by definition is an assent to a proposition. It is any cognitive content that is held true. It is some expression or a vague idea in which some confidence is placed. Thus, it defines some sort of an agreement with the world view. It may be unproven assertion based on some of the fundamental assumptions. Belief is a form of judging something to be true, intermediate between mere opinion and certain knowledge. To believe something in this sense is to judge that it is true by virtue of “a ground that is objectively insufficient but subjectively sufficient”; in mere opinion neither is sufficient, in knowledge both conditions are met.Myths which are believed in tend to become true.
By: George Orwell
John shares some of his favorite podcasts that help inspire and influence him.
Check out these great shows and sites:
Writing Excuses – Brandon Sanderson, Howard Taylor, Dan Wells
http://www.writingexcuses.com/
The Poem of the Day
http://www.sonibyte.com/public/clientpodcasts
Beyond the Book – Copyright Clearance Center
Twit Network -Leo LaPorte
Daily GizWiz – Dick Debartolo & Leo LaPorte
MuppetCast – Steve Swanson
WDW Radio – Lou Mongello
Do you have any favorite podcasts you would like to share? Have you turned your book, poetry, or writing into a podcast? Tell us about it either at www.storyinsititue.com’s forum, email (ramblingverser@storyinstitute.com), or phone (615-431-WRIT).
Featured Writing Prompt:
Write a poem, short story, or otherwise that reflects on the podcast and where it fits within your storyline. Is it just a little voice you hear in your ear as you jog or walk around the block? Or, is it much more than that for your character and inspiration? How does your character fit in with the podcast world? Make it all up, or base your verse or story on some show you know. Share it at Story Institute or share it elsewhere, but write and enjoy…
If you are an author in search of readers or have comments about our show, contact us:
ramblingverser@storyinstitute.com
615-431-WRIT (9748)
Remember to Imagine, Enhance, & Grow Your Stories @ www.storyinstitute.com
Running Time: 18 minutes 31 seconds
Tags: Author conversations, belief, characters, George Orwell, inner voice, Inspiration, poetry, writing, writing methods, writing podcast, writing tips
Do you believe in your characters? OK, but do you have faith in your characters to live beyond the time you put them on paper? Is there a difference? Listen and engage in the writing prompts.
Featured Quote:
Faith is not belief. Belief is passive. Faith is active.
Edith Hamilton
Inspiration for this week’s conversation:
Six Characters in Search of an Author is the most famous and celebrated play by the Italian writer Luigi Pirandello
Featured Poem: The Computation
By: John Donne
FOR my first twenty years, since yesterday,
I scarce believed thou couldst be gone away ;
For forty more I fed on favours past,
And forty on hopes that thou wouldst they might last ;
Tears drown`d one hundred, and sighs blew out two ;
A thousand, I did neither think nor do,
Or not divide, all being one thought of you ;
Or in a thousand more, forgot that too.
Yet call not this long life ; but think that I
Am, by being dead, immortal ; can ghosts die ?
Poetry Writing Prompt:
Write a Dialogue Poem between yourself, a modern day reader, and John Donne, the writer. How would you address his words in The Computation? If you need help with understanding a dialogue poem, check out this article:
How to Write a Dialogue Poem – By Jacqueline Thomas, eHow Contributing Writer
http://www.ehow.com/how_5089536_write-dialogue-poem.html
Additional Poem for creative inspiration:
Eternity
By: William Blake
He who binds to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy;
But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity’s sun rise.
Short Story Topics – Pet Turtles Are Funny
Pets are wonderful for teaching children responsibility. What better way to teach a boy the responsibility of a pet than with a turtle. That is what the eight-year old boy thought. That is until he met the turtle. The creature disappears inside its shell every time the boy gets near. The boy’s sister sits and stares at the reptile for what seems like hours as it appears to dance, bob its head in and out to the rhythm of music, and go for a swim at random moments. When the boy passes, the turtle freezes and collapses inside its shell.
Describe the boy’s feelings. Describe the steps the boy would take to literally pull the creature out of its shell. Describe how the sister acts. Describe the turtle. What makes it special? Why does it stay in its shell? Is it just an ordinary turtle? Or, is there something a little more exciting, more imaginative? Decide on the path. Decide on the story, and write. Post it at Story Institute, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…
Short Story Topics – Flower Power
Picking the right flower can make or break a relationship. Do you go with the red ones? The pink ones? The white ones? The roses? The tulips? The brightly-colored, always in bloom ones? Wait, those might be plastic. They might be, but as you pass the store, you are drawn in by the beauty, fragrance, and allure of the rather unique petal filled vase. Something about these flowers says look at me, smell me, buy me.
What happens after you go into the store? What happens if you bring the flowers home to your significant other? What happens as you share in the moment together? Decide on the interaction between people and the flower. Decide on the interaction between the people and each other after interacting with the budding entity. Decide on the happenstance that erupts in the life of the first person to see the flower. Decide on the path. Decide on the story, and write. Post it at Story Institute, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…
Running Time: 14 minutes 38 seconds
Tags: Author conversations, belief, characters, Faith, healines, inner voice, John Donne, poetry, short story, writing, writing methods, writing podcast, writing tips
Writing Down the Fairy Tales…If you thought living a fairytale was tough to come by…try writing them…it is fun, but a very different world indeed…
Quotes of the Week:
“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales. When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.”
~Albert Einstein~ Scientist (1879-1955)
“In a utilitarian age, of all other times, it is a matter of grave importance that fairy tales should be respected.”
~Charles Dickens~ British novelist (1812-1870)
“Deeper meaning resides in the fairy tales told me in my childhood than in any truth that is taught in life.”
~Johann Christoph Friederich v. Schiller~ German Poet (1759-1805)
John rambles on about his new fairy tale book…from beginning to separate stories…writing and remembering the audience is important…fairy tales are for a particular, possibly younger audience…what is your feeback? Share some of your thoughts with us if you have written or just enjoy reading fairy tales…
Send us an email to: ramblingverser@storyinstitute.com…Call us at 615-431-WRIT…or provide thoughts on the forum: www.storyinstitute.com/forum
Poetry Topic:
St. Patrick’s Day – Wearin’ the Green
The wearin’ of the green…that’s the day when all those who are not of Irish decent celebrate the lovely story of St. Patrick and his day. From marching in large parades to drinking green beer to eating corned beef and cabbage, this day is about celebrating life and enjoying it. This festive occasion brings about a brotherhood many don’t remember exists the rest of the year. This joyous occasion provides opportunities for grown adults to relive their youth and become a part of new traditions. And, don’t forget the beer.
Choose your path. Choose your subject. Choose you remember of the day, if you can remember. Were you standing in a parade line waiting to march your way down Michigan Avenue hold a freezing piece of metal, praying and hoping that the cameras would not catch your step on the opposite foot from everyone else as you passed by the judging booth? Were you a bystander watching the people walk by, happy, chilled, and throwing candy? Either way, choose your words well, but don’t leave out the pot of gold. Remember poems are simple, but have all the power of a story in a little, tiny space. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…
Short Story Topic:
What is the difference between sprites and fairies? How about fairies and pixies? At some point, they were the same. At some point, they became different. At some point, they just moved away from one location to many. Until one day when another creature finds a document with hints of where each group moved.
What is this document that is found? Who is this other creature? What is the difference? Is there a difference? Will each group be found? Is there a map that goes along with the document? Why did they separate in the first place? Is this a series of short stories?
Decide on the path the character follows. Decide on the mysteries revealed. Decide on the reason for looking for the answers. Decide on the behaviors that separate each group. Decide on the setting. Is it a forest? A swamp? A dessert? All of them? Think about parallels between these groups and ones you know. Decide on the story, and write. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…
Remember to Imagine, Enhance, and Grow your stories
Running Time: 12 minutes 29 seconds
Tags: Author conversations, characters, fairy tales, notebook, writing, writing methods, writing podcast, writing tips
Find another notebook…Writing from within instead of with…Conversations about writing…John E Murray III
Quote by Dale Carnegie: “Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into some work you believe in with all your heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours.”
This week, John ramblings on about finding a new notebook to jot down your creative thoughts and making sure you have a storyline for your novel while being open to it changing and growing…
Poem of the Day by John E. Murray, III
Let Me Not Begin Anew
Let me not begin anew,
Let me spend my days with you, or you, or you.
My friends, my companions, my creation,
Losing you would be a great devastation.
You are my entire being,
The results of my dreaming.
With every word I breathe,
You are able to achieve
New invigorating life,
To help me deal with all the strife.
I need, I want, I feel
Only what I believe real,
That being you
To whom I will always remain true.
So go forth
And let your intensity be shown,
But Please don’t leave me here,
Alone!
Poetry Topic – Sonnet Through Muse
A special relationship deserves to be appreciated and admired. A spouse or significant individual should be told how special they are to you and in your life. Reflect on the happiness they bring. Encourage your muse to show through the relationship and into a being all its own.
Research the great works and sonnets of the classic romantics and develop a style you share with your romantic counterpart and your inner muse. How strong is the connection? How important is the shared togetherness? How far into your heart do you delve to encourage the love you share to make its way onto a blank page or screen? How long is the gaze into the mirrors of your souls? Keep it intense, and encourage the surges of palpitations and emotion. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…
Sonnet through Muse
By: John E Murray, III
My mistress’s eyes are nothing like the sun, tis true,
They are a far more brilliant hue.
Coral’s redness may be debated only among sunken ships,
But they may never taste as sweet as my mistress’ lips.
If snow be white, then true purity befriended the seven,
And her silken hair was certainly spun from the clouds of heaven.
Her sweet scent is synonymous with what a fresh breeze brings,
And her voice chimes in time with my delicate heartstrings.
If on Earth there a goddess be,
I am truly fortunate, for she is with me.
Alas, a poet’s pact I break and abuse,
And, as my own words prove, I have fallen for my muse.
I offer no excuses for what my mind has endeavored to create,
But open my heart no matter how long the wait.
Short Story Topic – Clock Stopping
These days, carrying a watch is a pain on the wrist. With cell phones, PDAs, and computers all around us, the need for another form of the constricting value of time becomes less desirable. What happens if the digital clocks just stopped displaying. They still worked. However, only other computerized devices could read the time. You will need to search for a reason and a way to tell time more effectively than having the computer tell you. So, you track down that old pocket watch, give it a few twists, and you realize that you can see more than just the time. You can see…
Decide what it is that the character can see. Tell the story in the first person. Imagine yourself or someone close to you trapped in this environment. Decide on the path your character travels to find solutions. What caused the clocks to stop in the first place? What can be done? Decide on the origin of the wind-up watch. Decide on the story, and write. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…
Contact us at: ramblingverser@storyinstitute.com; 615-431-WRIT(9748); or share a review on iTunes…follow us on Twitter as well…twitter.com/ramblingverser
Running Time: 18 minutes 28 seconds
Tags: Author conversations, characters, notebook, writing, writing methods, writing podcast, writing tips
Adding character to your characters…Conversations about writing…Chad Corrie & John E Murray III
Quote by Jim Henson: “Life’s like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending.”
This week, we talk about characters, how they start, and how they grow into the breath of their stories…
We are giving away copies of autographed copies of books from some of the authors we have interviewed…you must register for our forums to win…Tell us what you believe the inspiration of this week’s poem was or share one of your own…each will be entered to receive a book.
Short Story Topic – Finding the Golden Path Home
The clouds cleared and the rainbow made its way across the sky. Tiny feet scurried trying to locate the end of the brightly colored ribbon of light. When you lose the magic that brought you to this land and have no other way back to your own home, you keep trying no matter how long it has been between rainbows. Sure, you have maintained those simple party tricks with playing cards, pulling one coin out of random places, and basic mind-reading, but you lack the direction to find the end and true pot of gold…the path back home.
Decide on how you got here in the first place. Decide if you will truly tell this tale in the first person. Decide on the characters met along this most recent path to the end. Decide if the tale continues or silences after this episode. Decide how long this lost soul has remained without his own country. Decide on your path. Decide on your direction. Decide on the story and write. Post it at www.stoyinstitute.com, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…
Poetry Topic – Seashells
No two seashells are alike, yet they group themselves in the same places. They float and they sink. They migrate and are migrated. Some are flatter than others. Some are smooth and others posses ripples and ridges. Many have various colors that allow them to sparkle in the sunlight and catch your eye as you stroll down the beach. A few others are dull in nature and blend into the glistening sand.
Do you think about hearing the ocean? Do you hear the ocean when holding up a shell to your ear? Are these the same seashells that cover the clam shaped beings that were lost somewhere along the way to the shore? Decide on the adventure these residents of the deep took to reach the surface and share the story in verse. Post it www.storyinstitute.com, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…
Contact Story Institute at: ramblingverser@storyinstitute.com; 615-431-WRIT(9748); or share a review on iTunes
Running Time: 27 minutes 56 seconds
Tags: Author conversations, Chad Corrie, character formation, characters, Tales of Tralodren, The Adventures of Corwyn, writing, writing methods, writing podcast, writing tips
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