Writing prompt: Every word counts

This is the sixth in a series of short writing prompts inspired by Stephen King's "On Writing":

p. 62-65: While in a college writing group, Stephen King discovered--and regretted the fact--that most young writers consider writing to be instant magic messages. Inspiration, these poets believe, is not to be questioned and does not need to be worked on. King and his future wife, Tabitha, however, believe writing to be a combination of inspiration and hard work. Write four lines of poetry quickly--the first thing that comes to your mind. Saving this first draft, work hard on another draft. Substitute words. Look for more lyrical or intense language. Try breaking the lines differently. When you’ve worked your four lines thoroughly, set the first and second draft aside. Go back later and see which poem you prefer.

Poetry grab bag

Yesterday I held a writing workshop for students at my house. We talked about using concrete objects as central metaphors, or as launching points, for poetry. I read aloud a long poem with an extended metaphor, in which the word tongue appeared in every stanza. Then the fun began.

I pulled out a rainbow-colored gift bag (I have to do things with flourish) and let the students examine a variety of objects, selecting one to use as their inspiration point. One student picked a package of 24 little cocktail umbrellas; I had a package of beignet mix from New Orleans; another student grabbed a little stone orange heart made in Kenya. Other items in the bag included a shiny pinwheel, a pack of diner-style condiment dispensers (you know, the squeezy, refillable ketchup and mustard bottles?); an orange votive candle with a witch on it; and a clutch of Indian-stye bangles.

Then we all began writing, and in about 20 minutes we had six poems written. One of them, which played with the image cocktail umbrellas in ways I had never considered (including the futility of trying to ward off a storm with a paper umbrella and paper galoshes), has all the makings of a great poem.

With a little shaping, the poem I wrote about New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina, might just have the makings of a good poem.

This grab-bag technique was fun and inexpensive, and getting our hands on. . .well, stuff. . .helped all of us learn how to write about stuff. If a picture is worth a thousand words, so is a metaphor.