Sunday, May 29, 2011

Painting Stories #1


My writing mentor loved to give our class prompts. She loved 'painting stories' with images...using the most haunting, sometimes disturbing images to awaken our muses. Oftentimes, it worked. Sometimes not, but these small exercises of inspiration never failed to at least get me thinking.

So, I'm going to start a new "feature" as it were, in an effort to help you (and myself) spark the muse. I'll share a picture with you, one that I hope you find inspiring, in an effort to get those creative juices flowing. You're more than welcome to share with me a snippet or even small glimpse of what you come up with and I'll be sure to do the same.

From the below picture I've gotten this so far:


I watched the world end near the gates of Serenity Park.



Photo courtesy of devianart-com.

13 comments:

Heather said...

I love the beginning that this picture inspired for you! Haunting and brilliant and I want to read more!

TS Tate said...

Thanks, honey. Did you get any sparks from the picture?

Elaine Lowe said...

nice beginning! I think too much about place than emotion sometimes. I see,

"The park was always abandoned in the chill weeks before the snow came, then the last leaf was about to leave the tree. It was best time to sit and think and feel the cold on my cheeks suppress the ice of worry in my gut."

TS Tate said...

Christine, I love this. I'd certainly love to read that story. Thanks for playing. :)

Elaine Lowe said...

I love writing games. I'll play anytime!

TS Tate said...

Well yay! I'm planning on making this a weekly prompt. Hopefully, a few ppl will be inspired. :)

Unknown said...

Ooh. Hard to come up with something better than yours, or even half as good. Will have to think about it! Great pic.

TS Tate said...

Oh, thanks so much, Jan. You're a sweetie.

Brian H said...

She watched from a rusted fence rail as the dust began to settle. The instructions she had smuggled off the internet had worked perfectly. The so called "doctors" of the Orange ward would bother her no longer.

Unknown said...

Love it! The picture is beautiful, but your "word picture" is even more intriguing. Sounds like it could be the beginning of a phenomenal story. *hint, hint*

TS Tate said...

@Brian, I love that!! Write more please. @KM I see your hint there, lady. Heh. Glad you liked the line.

Bryan said...

"There is a tree that only grows on the edge of the world, its monochrome grey leaves drawing sustenance from the dappled sunlight that manages to penetrate the fog without end. Sadie perched on the low wall made of glass and steel, her sneaks chirping as she swung her feet back and forth, and looked out over the end of everything."

TS Tate said...

Oh, B, that is wonderful!!