Category Archives: Challenges and Writing Prompts

Marginalia Mania – NaPoWriMo 2017 #24

Whatever in the world were they thinking?
These maniacal manuscript scribes of old,
Whatever in the world were they thinking?

Fantastical tales their scribblings told;
creatures and beasties, some seeking revenge,
These maniacal manuscript scribes of old,

Nature revolting against maids and men,
Snails, flying monkeys, dogs, lions, cats
Creatures and beasties, some seeking revenge

Stranger than strange and that is a fact
Obviously it was someone’s worst nightmare,
Snails, flying monkeys, dogs, lions, cats

Elephants, bears and violent hares
It’s all quite odd, I’m sure you’d agree…
Obviously, it was someone’s worst nightmare

If there is a message, what could it be?
Whatever in the world were they thinking?
It’s all quite odd, I’m sure you’d agree…
Whatever in the world were they thinking?

~kat
{NaPoWriMo 2017 #24: to wrote a poem about Marginalia…very bizarre illustrations of medieval manuscripts. I chose a Terzanelle to explore this prompt. See other illustrations by googling “marginalia” and clicking on images.}


Cats ‘n Dogs

img_7784
cats
solitary nocturnals
lazing in sunbeams
granting admiration from afar
supercilious.

img_7783

dogs
affectionate companions
lap top snugglers
always underfoot, unquestionably loyal
magnanimous

~kat
(NaPoWriMo 2017 #23 – a Double Elevenie exploring opposites)


“Do No Harm” – NaPoWriMo #20

operation.png

ultimately, “do no harm”
whilst rooting through his cavities
one false move ’twould cause alarm

with steady practiced hand disarm
poor Sam of his infirmities
ultimately, “do no harm”

funny bones might lose their charm
guard his broken heart, avoid brain freeze
one false move ‘twould cause alarm

it takes a skilled touch to perform
the tricky stretch, ankle to knee
ultimately, “do no harm”

from stomach where butterflies swarm
to ankles wrenched and watery knees
one false move ‘twould cause alarm

in surgery there’s no lukewarm
one must be sure, determined, you’d agree
ultimately, “do no harm”
one false move ‘twould cause alarm

~kat
(NaPoWriMo 2017 #20 – A silly Villanelle Poem (A1bA2 abA1 abA2 abA1 abA2 abA1A2) tackling today’s prompt: to write a poem that incorporates the vocabulary and imagery of a specific sport or game. In case you didn’t figure it out…my game of choice is the Operation Game by Milton Bradley.)


Birth of a Lie – NaPoWriMo 2017 #19

img_6064

the birth of a lie

once upon a time, when words had meaning
when everyone believed that words were true
no living soul conceived they’d need to question
or turn a blind eye in the face of proof

it was a time of blissful innocence
until the day the first untruth took hold
‘twas only meant to spare another’s feelings
I’m sure you’d do the same, if truth be told

but oh what happened after its telling
the ignorance and bliss of those deceived
everyone agreed, it bore repeating
and so the lie, it grew like a bad seed

when naysayers tried hard to deny it
they were swiftly cast aside, reviled
greedy profiteers began to sell it
for blissful happiness, the crowds went wild

soon the truth was hidden twixt the pages,
and history rewritten, as preferred,
faux everything became the rage of ages
and truth was just an inconvenient blur

sometimes truth will show up unexpected
like a fragile flower amidst the weeds
you can recognize it using reason
don’t be surprised if nobody believes

kat – 19 April 2017
(NaPoWriMo 2017 #19 – a dramatization of a creation myth…birth of a lie for today’s prompt in the form of a Fable Poem.)


Twittering Tales #26 – 18 April 2017

1476833681824

About the challenge:  Each Tuesday I will provide a prompt, and your mission, if you choose to play along, is to tell a story based on that prompt in 140 characters or less.

If you accept the challenge, be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale. A final note: if you need help tracking the number of characters in your story, there is a nifty online tool that will count for you at charactercountonline.com.

I will do a roundup each Tuesday, along with providing us a new prompt.

Have Fun!

Twittering Tales #25 – The Roundup

sign-1209593_1280

Door Sign from Pixabay.com

From Michael at Morpethroad:

My Songs
I was disappointed with no entry.
They had played my songs.
Their interpretations fascinated me.
I was flattered by their vocal renditions.
(137 characters)

From Lost in Translation79:

And so it begins…
I stood there with baited breath, the crowd restless. I closed my eyes absorbing this moment, because you only have this once…
(126 characters)

From Lady Lee at Lady Lee Manila

Let us get through
We’ve got passes
To see the Band live
After their show
Special privilege
Couldn’t believe our luck
We’re now groupies, yay!
(136 Characters)

From Reena at ReInventions:

The Final Scene

It was time to don the disguise robes. The mission had to be accomplished today by the suicide bomber. Both success and failure meant death.
(140 characters)

From Kitty at Kitty’s Verses:

Come One, Come All
Why is it restricted entry? Why don’t they put up, “Come one, come all, Laugh till you fall!” After all joy is always to be multiplied.
(137 characters)

From Jane at Jane Dougherty Writes:

We’ll Be In Touch
Booed off stage talentless bands are pushed to this door. Saves paying their fee—it opens onto a disused lift shaft.
(116 Characters)

From Lorraine at In 25 Words More or Less

Pyrotechnics
Cynthia wondered if anyone bothered to leave their ego at the door. Last night’s fireworks weren’t a planned part of the performance.
(133 Characters)

From Di at Pensitivity101:

I could not believe I was denied access.
It was just a local talent contest!
The oldest was 9, the youngest 6, and I was their mother!
(134 characters)

From Kathryn at Another Foodie Blogger:

Ray Sr. stood before the closed door, confused. His rheumy eyes glanced over at his son. “Come on dad, you’ll have fun. For old-time’s sake.”
(141 Characters)

From Sangbad at Thoughts of Words:

Legend
I’ve saw him s’where…where, I can’t recollect now….
the old legend looks at the sign and then at the woman…he sigh…his last breath…
(140 characters)

From Bobby at Bobby Fairfield:

On the other side lies fame and fortune or a very rapid descent into oblivion. Let’s do it boys.
(96 Characters)

From Kirst at Kirst Writes:

I used to go to every gig, years ago.
His eyes would always find me in the crowd, then later we’d…
Would he even remember? I knocked.
(132 characters)

From Peter at Peter’s Ponderings:

You’re banned, not band! Despite dressing as pirates and carrying guitars, Gilbert and Sullivan failed to get past the doorman at the Savoy.
(140 characters)

not one tale but two with a clue…

I’ve been outside the door for 3 days now, waiting for the superstar Kat to come out. I’ll just have to make do with leaving this note behind. Hope she finds it!

From Milton John at Broadsidesdotme:

On the set of the “Titanic” we received due respect.
(52 Characters)

From Irena at Books and Hot Tea:

Finally Famous
With a new lead singer, our popularity peaked. Critics praised us, concerts were sold out.
But was fame worth leaving a part of us behind?
(137 characters)

And starting it off…my take:

People called us an overnight sensation. If they only knew how many dives, we played to get here. Wouldn’t a had it any other way.
(130 Characters)

Loved the variety this week you all! We had has-beens and wanna-be’s groupies and stage moms, a few curtain calls, a nautical twist of view, song pirates and pyrotechnics. Thanks everyone for playing along this week. You’ll find this week’s photo prompt below. What tales are hidden in this rear view mirror?  Hope to see you at next week’s round up!

Twittering Tale #26 – 18 April 2017

car-1576894_640

Photo from Pixabay

“Do you see them?”
“No…I think we’ve finally lost them. Just a few more miles.”
“Then what?”
“We may never know. Look ahead. They’re coming.”
(140 Characters)