Archive for the ‘Ten Prompt Thursday’ Category

Ten Prompt Thursday - September Edition

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Before we get to the prompts, remember the deadline to apply for the fall internship is September 15, 2010. http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?p=648

 

Here are your ten prompts for September. Remember the goal is to write for at least ten minutes a day for at least ten days a month. These prompts are to get you started. Feel free to use them, modify them or make up your own. Don’t forget if you come up with a prompt of your own, send it to me and I’ll consider it for a future Ten Prompt Thursday.

 

  1. “Mary Had a Little Lamb” was published on September 1, 1830. Rewrite the popular nursery rhythm for modern day children.
  2. Write a review of your favorite book for writers. Send it to me and I may use it for a future post.
  3. Make up a word and give it a definition.
  4. Use your word from number 3 in a short story.
  5. In honor of Labor Day, start your writing with, “My dream job…” (can be fact or fiction or even poetry).
  6. What does September 11 mean to you?
  7. Consider making one small change in your life (smile at one stranger, sleep an extra hour, watch an hour less television, drink one less cup of coffee, etc) every day for the last 100 days of 2010 (begins on September 22 but try to write this before then). Write about what you expect to happen as a result of this change. We’ll revisit this one in December.
  8. Write about your favorite flower (third week of September is National Flower Week).
  9. Write your first memory of a Band-Aid. (On September 22, 1920 the Band-Aid was invented.)
  10. Title your piece, “Ode to the Apostrophe,” (National Punctuation Day is September 24).
  11. BONUS: This month’s bonus is 30 Days of Principles. Post your principles (grandma’s faithful words, quotes, or make up your own words to live by) to your Facebook and/or Twitter profile. Thanks to all of you who participated in the August ponderings, I learned a lot.

 

Happy writing,

 

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

angela@dioncommunications.com

Let’s Talk about Race  

Join me on Facebook  

Follow me on Twitter

 

The highest compliment you can give is to recommend Dion Communications, LLC to a friend. I appreciate your referrals.

 

Subscribe to our free e-newsletter and receive the free 9-page e-booklet “Write Killer Queries” http://www.dioncommunications.com./newsletter/?p=subscribe

 

Find out about our coaching services. http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?page_id=334 

 

Workbooks and audio CDs for writers.

http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?cat=119

 

Prompts for writers

http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?cat=146

Tags: , ,
Posted in Internship, Ten Prompt Thursday, prompts | No Comments »

Ten Prompt Thursday - August Edition

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

  1. August is Artist Appreciation Month. Look through a book of your favorite artist’s work or pick a particular piece of art (for me, that’s Monet’s Water Lilies) and write about the feelings that come up.
  2. August 1st was Friendship Day. Write your definition of a best friend.
  3. Begin your free write, “Money, money, money, money…some people got to have it…” Sorry, that song was in my head this morning before I wrote this post.
  4. August 14th is my birthday, I don’t mind saying I’ll be 46 – I am loving the 40’s. Develop a character (or write from first person) and write about their favorite decade of life and why.
  5. Sticking with the birthday theme, Google your birthday and write about an important event (besides your birth) that happened on that day.
  6. Write the worse poem you can (18th is Bad Poetry Day).
  7. If you were an animal, what would you be and why? I sometimes stump my clients with this in my mock interviews.
  8. Free write, “We kissed and made up, sort of…”
  9. Back to school, bye to summer, what are your expectations for your life this fall? How will you finish the year?
  10. Write about an incident that made you (or one of your characters) violent.
  11. BONUS Daily Prompt: 31 days of Pondering. This month I’m going to be nosey and post a question for people to think about. It may be something silly like what side of the bed to you sleep on to something serious like what’s the biggest mistake you ever made. Look for my Facebook and Twitter pondering and join the fun. You can post your own pondering or repost mine. Should be interesting.
  12. Okay, another bonus. I’m still looking for contributions for Let’s Talk about Race. Read the details here and send me your posts. http://dioncommunications.com/blog/?p=756

 

 

The highest compliment you can give is to recommend Dion Communications, LLC to a friend. I appreciate your referrals.

 

Subscribe to our free e-newsletter and receive the free 9-page e-booklet “Write Killer Queries” http://www.dioncommunications.com./newsletter/?p=subscribe

 

Find out about our coaching services. http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?page_id=334 

 

Workbooks and audio CDs for writers.

http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?cat=119

 

Prompts for writers

http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?cat=146

 

Happy writing,

 

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

angela@dioncommunications.com

Let’s Talk about Race  

Join me on Facebook  

Follow me on Twitter

Tags: , ,
Posted in Ten Prompt Thursday, prompts | 1 Comment »

Ten Prompt Thursday - July Edition

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

 

It’s July. In Southern Maryland we’ve had a few HOT days – high 90’s and even a couple of days in the triple digits. I hope you’re enjoying your summer: vacationing, barbequing, tanning, WRITING! (Sorry for yelling.) Here’s another ten prompts to get you started for July. Enjoy.

 

1. My blog Let’s Talk about Race is seeking submissions. Send me your articles, book reviews, resources, opinion pieces, poetry, book excerpts, videos, etc. that will spark discussion about race. I don’t mind controversy, opinion, whimsy, just nothing profane please. Also, if you have a previously published book excerpt, blog or article about race, we take reprints.

 

Simply send your submission (try to keep it around 500 words) to angela@dioncommunications.com. End your piece with a few questions that will get people talking. Add your bio and photo (feel free to plug your blog, book, web site, products, etc.). I’ll contact you when/if I use your post.

 

2. We can’t have July writing prompts without including Independence Day. Write your definition of independence. Do you have independence? Why or why not?

 

3. Write an ode to the hot dog.

 

4. Find a post card of your home town and send it to a friend who lives far away. “I wish you were here…”

 

5. Apollo 11 lifted off on July 16, 1969. Imagine you are a fly on the wall – tell us about the trip. BTW – I don’t know if a fly would survive in space J

 

6. Your air conditioner broke. Make a list of ten ridiculous ways to cool off. 

 

7. Try one of them (from number 6) and write about the experience.

 

8. “I was bored so I opened the closet and…” C.S. Lewis created an entire Narnia series with this premise; see what you can come up with.

 

9. Watch a movie you haven’t seen in over ten years. Write a review.

 

10. Six months left in 2010. Write about an adventure you have had or plan to have this year, can be fact or fiction.

 

11. BONUS daily writing challenge. This month I’m writing something I’m thankful for every day. I’m calling it 31 Days of Praises. To participate, post your praises on FB and/or Twitter each day.

 

Happy writing,

 

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

angela@dioncommunications.com

Let’s Talk about Race  

Join me on Facebook  

Follow me on Twitter

 

PS: A couple more success stories.

 

Claudia Tynes will speak at the PUSH Women’s Conference on October 30 at Crown Plaza http://uniquebooksbypam.com/News.aspx. Congrats Claudia, I know you’ll be awesome.

 

Louis Cecchini III released his music CD “Second Chronicles.” I didn’t get a chance to listen yet Louis, but kudos to you for pursuing your recording dreams.

 

 

Subscribe to our free e-newsletter and receive the free 9-page e-booklet “Write Killer Queries” http://www.dioncommunications.com./newsletter/?p=subscribe

 

Find out about our coaching services. http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?page_id=334 

 

Workbooks and audio CDs for writers.

http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?cat=119

 

Prompts for writers

http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?cat=146

Tags: , ,
Posted in Ten Prompt Thursday, prompts | No Comments »

Ten Prompt Thursday - June edition

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Before I get to the prompts, let me share a couple of things going on in my life. Tomorrow (June 4th) Marc and I will celebrate our 22nd year of marriage! He truly is my best friend and I’m proud to call him my husband. Our son Marcel is home for the summer after his first year at University of Maryland. He’s doing well and we couldn’t be prouder. I reentered the counseling field on Tuesday. I’m working part time for the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County. I’m adjusting to the commute.

 

I’m still running Dion Communications but will focus on coaching and speaking for the next year. This means I’m putting editing, the fiction book and teaching aside for a year. I’ll miss these things, but have to be realistic with my time. I still plan to write everyday though, even if it’s just a ten minute prompt.

 

If you need an editor, check out: Yvonne Medley emeddle@aol.com and Shelley Mascia shelleymascia07@hotmail.com (both will edit fiction and nonfiction) and Carlette Ritter (edits resumes) mslette@comcast.net.  

 

How have you been with the prompt writing? Are you succeeding at writing at least ten minutes ten days each month? Have the prompts been helpful? Do you have suggestions for future prompts? Drop me a line and let me know how you’re doing.

 

This month’s prompts:

  1. Write about an anniversary.
  2. The first week of June if teacher thank you week. Write a thank you note to one of your favorite teachers. Mail it.
  3. Alcoholics Anonymous was founded on June 10, 1935. Write about an addiction (fact or fiction) and how you overcame it.
  4. What does the American flag mean to you?
  5. Begin an essay with “Usually a smile is an encouraging signal, but when he smiled…”
  6. Happy Father’s Day. Write about the perfect father.
  7. What a story about the blizzard of June 21, 2010, the first day of summer.
  8. The first typewriter was patented on June 23, 1868. Write a poem “Ode to the Typewriter.”
  9. On June 24, 1947, Kenneth Arnold, a pilot flyer in Washington State, reported seeing a UFO – the first recorded sighting. His description led the press to coin the phrase “flying saucer.” Write a journal entry for that day from Arnold’s perspective.
  10. The end of June middle of the year. If you could sum up the first half of 2010 in one word, what would it be? Why?
  11. BONUS daily prompt: This month I’m writing a prayer a day, a simple phrase to set the tone for my day. I’m posting them on Facebook each day and invite you to do the same.

 

Happy writing,

 

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

angela@dioncommunications.com

Let’s Talk about Race  

Join me on Facebook  

Follow me on Twitter

Tags: , ,
Posted in Publisher's Desk, Ten Prompt Thursday, prompts | No Comments »

Ten Prompt Thursday - May Edition

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

 Here are your ten prompts for May. I’ve heard from many of you who are taking at least ten minutes ten days a month to write these. Thanks for your feedback.

 

1.      April showers bring forth May flowers, you are a lily in the valley, write about your valley experiences.

2.      May 9th is Mother’s Day. Write a letter to your mother/mother figure.

3.      It is John F. Kennedy’s birthday. Write what life might be like without his influence.

4.      L.F. Baum’s birthday is this month. He wrote The Wizard of Oz. You’re off to see the Wizard, what do you want him to give you?

5.      May 16th is International Peace Day. Imagine it’s 2042 and there is no more minority or majority race. Write what the world is like – submit your piece to the Race-Talk blog by May 17th for consideration in this special section http://www.race-talk.org/?page_id=3512.

6.       May 11th is Twilight Zone Day. Write a twilight zone episode.

7.      It is National Photo Month. Find your favorite picture and write what feelings it evokes.

8.      In May we appreciate teachers for all of their hard work. Write a story about your favorite teacher and how he/she impacted your life.

9.      If time travel were possible, what place in time would you visit, and why?

10.  May is National Police week. Write an opinion piece about the police department in your county. Mail it to the newspaper editor is you’re bold enough. 

BONUS Daily Prompt – 31 Days of Promises. In May I’m writing a daily promise, something I will do for myself or someone else. I’m getting my promises from the Bible (e.g. promise to be a cheerful giver, love my neighbors, give thanks in everything, etc.). You can use this idea or center your promises around another theme (maybe specific things you want to promise your kids or your spouse, promises that will make you a better person, even promises surrounding your writing). Go for it and post to your Facebook (Join me on Facebook) and/or Twitter (Follow me on Twitter) account if you’re on. If you’re not on, it’s free to sign up and easy to use.

 

Happy writing,

 

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

angela@dioncommunications.com

Let’s Talk about Race  

Join me on Facebook  

Follow me on Twitter

Tags: ,
Posted in Ten Prompt Thursday, prompts | 1 Comment »

More Prompts for April

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

My intern came up with a few more prompts for April (thanks Velvet, you’re the best) – enjoy!

 

1.      Write about the most foolish thing you or someone you know has done.

2.      It is International Guitar Month and you have a chance to write a love song for Prince’s new CD, make it good.

3.      It is William Shakespeare’s birthday-write him a poem.

4.      April is Daffy Duck’s birthday. Write about seeing him for the first time.

5.      Because it is Earth Day -can you think of ways to help?

6.       It is National Honesty Day-write how you really feel at this point in your life, career and/or relationship (marriage).

7.      April is for writers and poets-write a short story titled “April.”

8.      In April we encourage young writers to believe in themselves - write a card to encourage a young writer. 

9.      Pretend it is 1862 and you just found out President Lincoln abolished slavery. What do you feel when you hear the news?

10.  You are Ponce de Leon and you discovered Florida – write an ode to the Sunshine State.

 

Happy writing,

 

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

angela@dioncommunications.com

Let’s Talk about Race  

Join me on Facebook  

Follow me on Twitter

Tags: , ,
Posted in Ten Prompt Thursday, prompts | No Comments »

Ten Prompt Thursday - April

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

 

Happy April Fool’s Day. Nineteen years ago today my son Marcel was born. With that, the new quarter, Birthparents week and Easter I’m thinking a lot about birth today. What are you birthing in your writing this month? Here are ten prompts to get you started. Remember, the goal is to write for at least ten minutes a day for at least ten days a month.

 

  1. It’s April Fool’s Day. Write about your most embarrassing moment. 
  2. Easter is this Sunday, write about an Easter tradition you have or want to start.
  3.  April begins the second quarter of the year. Write your goals for the next three months.
  4.  Sunday, April 11th is Holocaust Remembrance Day. Write an op-ed (opinion piece) about the Holocaust. Send it to your local newspaper’s Letters to the Editor section.
  5.  I’m running in a 5-K on April 24th. Write a fiction piece about a character who is running from (or to) something. FYI – you can sponsor me here http://www.active.com/donate/piscataway/angeladion
  6.  April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Write about the first time you were intoxicated. If you’ve never been intoxicated, write about that.
  7.  Tax time, what is something that is taxing you right now? How will you resolve it?
  8.  The first McDonald’s opened on April 15, 1955. Write an “Ode to the Big Mac.”
  9.  It’s Listening Awareness Month. Go outside and listen to the sounds of spring. Write about the music spring makes.
  10.  April 26th is Hug a Friend Day. Write a letter to a good friend, share a hug in words.
  11.  Bonus: My friend Antonette and I are initiating a new write-a-day program. For April – 30 Days of Permissions. If you’re on Facebook, post your daily permissions throughout the month. Today I give myself permission to spoil Marcel this weekend. Find out more here http://lifebeyondtheoffice.com/2010/04/01/day-1-working-npc-during-the-week/

 

View past prompts at http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?cat=153

 

Happy writing,

 

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

angela@dioncommunications.com

Let’s Talk about Race  

Join me on Facebook  

Follow me on Twitter

Tags: ,
Posted in Ten Prompt Thursday, prompts | No Comments »

Ten Prompt Thursday

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Here are two upcoming events I hope some of you can attend.

 

Eight Steps to Successful Nonfiction Magazine Articles – AuthorSmart/Write Well University. You get the CDs and workbook as part of the course.

Tuesdays, March 30 – May 18, 2010, 5:00 – 6:15 pm

http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=3387689

 

Next, if you live in the Southern Maryland area, I hope you observe me in another creative passion I have – acting. I’ll be performing in the play Love Letters at the Black Box Theater in Indian Head on April 9 and 10, 8pm. http://www.indianheadblackbox.org/  

 

Now on to your prompts for this month.

 

Ten Prompt Thursday

 

1. March is sometimes considered the month of madness. Write about something that really makes you mad. 

 

2. March 1st is share a smile day. Write about a smile you remember.

 

3. It is Irish-American Heritage Day and Ireland produced some great writers. Write a limerick.

 

4. Tennessee Williams wrote the play “A Streetcar Named Desire” and it is his birthday, send him a happy birthday wish.

 

5. Dr. Seuss’s Birthday is also in March; write a short story about green eggs and ham.

 

6. Johnny Appleseed Day is this month. Describe an apple using all of your senses except taste. What does it feel, smell, look and sound like?

 

7. March is National Nutrition Month; write about ways you would like to improve your health or things you already do to stay healthy.

 

8. It is 1965 and you just landed on the moon; write what it was like for you as you took your first step.

 

9. St. Patrick’s Day is full of green, and you are a green Leprechaun; so write about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

 

10. March is a windy month. Write about the wind and how it speaks to you.

 

11. Here’s a bonus I found on Facebook called Wisdom Month. The challenge is that each day in March you read one Proverb and write about the wisdom you glean from it. So far, (I know only four days into it), I’m keeping up. Check it out

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=485429310654&index=1

 

 

View past prompts at http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?cat=153

 

Happy writing,

 

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

angela@dioncommunications.com

Let’s Talk about Race  

Join me on Facebook  

Follow me on Twitter

Tags: , ,
Posted in Ten Prompt Thursday, prompts | No Comments »

Ten Prompt Thursday - February Edition

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

A couple of announcements before we get to the ten prompts. First, thanks to all who applied for the internship at Dion Communications, LLC. Please welcome our two new interns Shelley Mascia and Velvet Jacobs. Shelley is an editor and substitute teacher. Velvet is a graphic artist and poet. I’m looking forward to working with them both in the coming months.

 

Second announcement. My first blog with the Kirwan Institute on Race and Ethnicity was published this morning, check it out http://www.race-talk.org/?p=2552

 

Also, if you missed the Maryland Independent article about the Diversity Forum, it’s here (I usually don’t like my pictures, but this one I’m okay with) http://www.somdnews.com/stories/01272010/indytop171706_32230.shtml

 

Ten Prompt Thursday – February edition

Here are your ten prompts for February. Remember the goal is to write for ten minutes a day at least ten days a month. How’d you do in January? It’s never to late to start a writing habit. You can use these, modify these or make up your own. Just write.

 

  1. It’s Black History Month – write from the perspective of a person in history, what’s your story?
  2. You’re a groundhog. What do you think of all these humans using you to determine how they’ll spend the next six weeks?
  3. Write to a soldier serving overseas, it’s International Friendship Month.
  4. Do you have a pet? Write what your life would be like without your pet. Don’t have a pet; make up something about your pet frog.
  5. Start your free write, “The Super Bowl…”
  6. Elmo’s (from Sesame Street) birthday was yesterday. Write a birthday card for Elmo and let him know what he means to you.
  7. Write the pros and cons of organ donation.
  8. What’s your opinion on Mardi Gras?
  9. Write about a time you ate humble pie.
  10. I couldn’t have a February prompt list without Valentine’s Day. Write something to a Valentine past, present or future.

 

View past prompts at http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?cat=153

 

Happy writing,

 

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

angela@dioncommunications.com

Let’s Talk about Race  

Join me on Facebook  

Follow me on Twitter

Tags: ,
Posted in Ten Prompt Thursday, prompts | No Comments »

Ten Prompt Thursday - January edition

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

My 2010 challenge to you – write for a minimum of ten minutes at least ten days each month. To help you achieve this goal, I’m initiating Ten Prompt Thursday. On the second Thursday of each month I’ll post ten prompts to get your creative juices gurgling. You can use these prompts as is, modify them, or come up with your own. Obviously you don’t have to limit yourself to ten minutes or ten days, challenge yourself to write even more.

 

January’s prompts:

 

  1. Write about your favorite New Year’s Eve.
  2.  Write about the worse thing that happened to you last year.
  3.  Write from the perspective of the baby New Year. You’ve been a baby for 2010 years, what does it feel like? What are your hopes for this year?
  4.  Look at a date in January from a previous journal. What is different today?
  5.  Write your goals/resolutions for the year.
  6.  January 18th is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Write your thoughts on what Dr. King would think of the state of the country today.
  7.  Write a brief biography of your writing life.
  8.  Write an essay titled, “Januarys.” Chronicle what the month has meant in your life.
  9.  January 19th is Thesaurus Day. Write as many synonyms for the word “writing” as you can think of. Be creative, what does writing mean to you?
  10.  Write a thank you card or letter to someone who positively influenced you in 2009. Mail it.

 

If you have any prompts to share, please forward them on to me and I’ll add them to a future Ten Prompt Thursday.

Tags: ,
Posted in Ten Prompt Thursday, prompts | 1 Comment »