Today I’d like to start something with you readers called Take Ten Thursday. Ten sit ups? Ten Coffees? You can do those things too, sure, but I’m encouraging you to spend JUST TEN MINUTES today on writing.
It can be poetry. It can be prose. It can be the start of a novel. It can be the middle of your novel. It can be as short as a haiku, as old-fashioned as a sonnet, or as modern as lyrics to a mash up song.
Just Take Ten. Take ten minutes for yourself in a quiet room, all alone, and just write – and do not edit what you write.
If you can continue past ten, great, but what I want to teach you is that if you think you aren’t creative, or you think you don’t have time, just ten minutes can get you started.
You’ll need to pick up what you did tomorrow and add to it, maybe edit it a little (although it’d be great if you leave it alone and keep adding to it throughout your weekend, and only edit it on Sunday). That’s why I wanted to start this on Thursday. I’d like to see what you came up with by SUNDAY every week. Or, if you’re too shy to share, simply post a comment here telling me that you did the exercise and how it went.
Today, I’m writing a few paragraphs in my novel about a ferris wheel. So, I thought I’d make the first writing photo prompt one of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, where there’s a lovely ferris wheel on the beach.
Look at it carefully, and then use the photo to get you started writing. If you don’t feel inspired by it, try looking out your window. Don’t feel obliged to use my photo prompt. Do whatever it takes during your writing session to get something down on paper or on your computer.
I’m looking forward to hearing about how it goes in the comments below, and receiving LINKS here to your writing on your blogs!
Have fun with it!
Heather
Heather Grace Stewart 
Thanks for the prompt. I wrote for ten minutes and it’s given me a narrative charge to start the day. So far my piece looks like YA romance, but I know some fantasy elements will be popping up soon.
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Maurice, I’m so pleased it helped get you started! Hope to see the piece soon. Keep writing.
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As much as I often need a little inspiration, the words have been flowing for me this week. I will gladly share my words from this morning though. And I appreciate you giving writers that little push to keep writing. We all need it on occasion!
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Thank you so much for sharing, Katherine, and guess what? I just gave you your 99th vote 🙂 Good luck!
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Yippee! Thank you so much Heather. I appreciate the support 🙂
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Down (way down) with the flu, but I have the urge to write something during my waking (yet feverish) periods. You’ll see something in a bit, Heath. Thursday is my story day anyway. I certainly hope it reflects this fever! 😉
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Aw, sorry to hear you aren’t feeling well Joe. Write if it helps. I look forward to reading.
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How’s this? It’s called “Soft-Serve” http://wp.me/p1AR9N-2a4
Can I have a nap now?
(Oh, and I combined your prompt with another from today.)
Thank you, Heather.
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No, THANK YOU! I really enjoyed this read. Can’t believe you’re sick, and you wrote that. Thanks for participating.
(by the way, what I wrote is not nearly as good as yours…ughh!)
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Great idea. Were I not already working on my continuing iPod Challenge, I’d dive right in.
That’s a terrific photo….
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Thank you Mark!
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