Write The Book: Conversations on Craft
Arts:Books
American Novelist Bobbie Ann Mason, whose new novel is Dear Ann (Harper).
This week’s Write the Book Prompt was generously suggested by my guest, Bobbie Ann Mason, who exchanges prompts with her “flash-fiction co-writer buddy Meg Pokrass.” They send each other lists of interesting words with a challenge to use at least some of them in a story.
One of their lists was: leaky, clawfoot, waddle, bonk, ribs, peace, rapier, feather pillow, steam, sherry, geraniums, skimp, booth, rabbit’s foot, diner, vitality, jet-lag, quivery, Lady Astor, punchline, kettle, bitter coffee, flub.
Bobbie wrote a flash fiction called “Corn-Dog” based on one of Meg’s lists, using most of these words: corn-dog, frozen, carnival, necks, Animal Planet, parcel, shorts, crisp, weed, note, thrill, stucco, cravings, wispy, unmarried, fat, laryngitis.
This week, Bobbie Ann Mason suggests that you open up a few novels from your shelf. Flip through the books and find interesting words. List a dozen or two. Then pick a word and start a story. Where does it lead you? To another word on the list? Then what? She admits that this exercise can lead into the absurd, but it’s great fun, and you might discover where you are going.
Good luck with your work in the coming week, and tune in next week for another prompt or suggestion.
Music Credit: Aaron Shapiro
641
Susan Z. Ritz - Interview #573 (7/22/19)
Eric Zencey - Archive Interview #572 (7/15/19)
Chris Tebbetts - Interview #571 (7/8/19)
T. Coraghessan Boyle - Interview #570 (7/1/19)
Sara Collins - Interview #569 (6/24/19)
Heidi Diehl - Interview #568 (6/17/19)
Ali Benjamin - Interview #567 (6/10/19)
Jane Green - Interview #566 (6/10/19)
Kurt Kirchmeier - Interview #565 (6/3/19)
Karol Jackowski - Interview #564 (5/27/19)
Meg Wolitzer - Interview #563 (5/20/19)
Rachel Howard - Interview #562 (5/20/19)
Catherine Cusset - Interview #561 (5/13/19)
Steven Wingate - Interview #560 (5/6/19)
Michelle Demers - Interview #559 (4/29/19)
Laurie Halse Anderson - Interview #558 (4/22/19)
Juliet Wittman - Interview #557 (4/15/19)
Mitchell S. Jackson - Interview #556 (4/8/19)
Literary Agent Jeff Herman - Interview #555 (4/1/19)
Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy - Interview #554 (3/25/19)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
Fresh Air
Anne of Avonlea
Black Beauty
Myths and Legends
Books, Beach, & Beyond