Description Lesson

I posted a new writing lesson over at 1st Writes called Description.

The Spark Blogfest - Post #1

For the opening day of Sparkfest, I'm going to answer the question on the Sparkfest button:

Who set you off?

Her name is Pam.

Two years ago I walked into a writer's group at my church and Pam was the leader. I really had no expectations. I wanted to try something different. I had no idea that it would change my life. 

Pam started with devotions and then did a writing exercise. Write about "a sound" for 17 minutes. I wrote furiously about the slap slap of double dutch ropes, one of my childhood memories. That set me off. 

At home, I began writing about more childhood memories and then about some painful adult memories. Not too long after, I began writing a book. Two years later, I have two published devotions, a blog, and I'm editing my book.

Pam is the one who set me off. Her writing ministry is the reason I am writing today. She is a kindred spirit and a calming, steady rock who is always there for us newbie writers. Her encouragement and support has helped me blossom. I cherish her as a mentor and a friend.

If you would like to get to know Pam, she is at 2 Encourage and 1st Writes.

So, who set you off?

Writing Prompt - Water Dripped

I posted a writing prompt over at 1st Writes:

The water dripped...

Here is my response. Writing for only 5 minutes and 100 words. Let's see what we get!

The water dripped harshly in the filthy sink. Tink, tink, tink. The sound was driving me crazy. It was the only sound I could hear. I was laying awake in this hell hole of an apartment. I lay with the lights on, but even that didn't keep the cockroaches away. I couldn't believe I was living like this. Too proud to go groveling back to my parents. I had my wallet stolen earlier in the night. I lay on the filthy mattress and sobbed. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a rat scurry into the kitchen. I jumped up on the table. That was it! I had to get out of here, but I had no where to go. It was 3 am in the slums. No, I would have to wait till morning. I pressed my back against the paneling and waited and watched. Tink, tink, tink. I prayed I would make it.

Your turn! If you write on this, linky on 1st Writes!

Touch the Crabby - A Poem

Every Monday, 1st Writes Blog posts "See Photo Write", a photo writing prompt. Anyone can join in! Just post your writing about the prompt on your blog and linky it on the 1st Writes' post OR copy and paste it into the Comments Section. Here is my entry for this week's photo boy and a crab. 


Touch the Crabby
by Dawn M. Hamsher

I touched it once.
I'll touch again.
Why won't the crabby
be my friend?

I want to hold him
close to me,
but he keeps trying to 
pinch me, see?

My mommy says,
"Leave him alone!
You're not allowed 
till you are grown."

But I don't listen.
I'm going to try
to get the crabby
one more time.

See Photo Write Challenge - Who Will Visit Me Today?

Last night, our writing group got together and we wrote for 17 minutes on the Indian photo posted on 1st Writes. This is the second time I did this one, but I'm going to post it anyway.

If you are looking for a Writing Exercise, I invite you to try this photo writing prompt! It was challenging for us. 

All you have to do is click the link below, view the photo, then write a post about it on your blog and linky it to the 1st Write's Post.

Indian Swing Set Photo on 1st Writes

 

Here is my response to this photo prompt:

 

Who will visit me today?
by Dawn M. Hamsher

"Who will visit me today?" Lone Swaying Brave said to Great Mother Earth. No one answered, but that did not deter him. His smile was permanently afixed to his face. No one had ever been able to break his spirit or change his smile. 

Well, they tried to add to it...There had been a few boys over the years that climbed Lone Swaying Brave's solid body to peer directly into his eyes and then added a marker mustache and buck teeth, but those features had faded with the years (and he hadn't really minded the attention...it was sort of humorous).

Now, the yard is empty and the old school is closed for good. Only the occasional runner or walker passes by now. No children come to visit Lone Swaying Brave, but he is still eternally optimistic. He repeats, this time to the wind, "Who will visit me today?"

See Photo Write Challenge - Indian Dreams of Freedom

1st Writes now has a photo writing prompt, called "See Photo Write" every Monday! You can join in the fun by writing to the prompt, posting it to your blog, and then linking it!  For this week's photo click here! 

Here is my response to this photo prompt:

Indian Dreams of Freedom

by Dawn M. Hamsher

What am I doing here?

I've asked myself this question for 20 years.

I'm a warrior. I'm meant to ride free.

Yet, I'm here. Captured in cement in a schoolyard.

Children swing from my powerful arms.

Rust gnaws on my body and I waste away.

On my face is painted a silly grin, but I'm not happy.

If only I could break out.

I'd climb across one of those ponies I see passing by.

They have wheels, instead of legs, but no matter.

They'd work for a getaway.

And I'd whoop and declare my freedom.

That's what I'd do.

Photo Prompt Challenge - Some Piggies

1st Writes now has a Photo Writing Prompt every Monday! You can join in the fun by writing to the prompt, posting it to your blog, and then linking it!  For this week's photo click here! 

Here is my response to this photo prompt:

Some Piggies

by Dawn M. Hamsher

Some piggies are good for banking.
Some piggies are good for baking.
Some piggies are good for riding. (See Baby Monkey Riding on a Pig video)
And some piggies are good for...licking?