Story Institute RamblingVerser - Episode 25 - Time Back from Beyond

Time Back from Beyond…New focus and new writing prompts…

Quote of the week: “I write about myself with the same pencil and in the same exercise book as about him. It is no longer I, but another whose life is just beginning.”

~ Samuel Beckett

Short Story Focus and Topic: “The Open Boat” ~ Stephen Crane

Read the entire short story here: Stephen Crane – Open Boat

Write a modern version of the “Open Boat”. What changes? Is there technology? Is the boat bigger or smaller?

Poem and Poetry Topic: “The Flea” ~ John Donne

The Flea

by John Donne

MARK but this flea, and mark in this,
How little that which thou deniest me is ;
It suck’d me first, and now sucks thee,
And in this flea our two bloods mingled be.
Thou know’st that this cannot be said
A sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead ;
Yet this enjoys before it woo,
And pamper’d swells with one blood made of two ;
And this, alas ! is more than we would do.

O stay, three lives in one flea spare,
Where we almost, yea, more than married are.
This flea is you and I, and this
Our marriage bed, and marriage temple is.
Though parents grudge, and you, we’re met,
And cloister’d in these living walls of jet.
Though use make you apt to kill me,
Let not to that self-murder added be,
And sacrilege, three sins in killing three.

Cruel and sudden, hast thou since
Purpled thy nail in blood of innocence?
Wherein could this flea guilty be,
Except in that drop which it suck’d from thee?
Yet thou triumph’st, and say’st that thou
Find’st not thyself nor me the weaker now.
‘Tis true ; then learn how false fears be ;
Just so much honour, when thou yield’st to me,
Will waste, as this flea’s death took life from thee.

Write a poem connecting your inspiration to something in nature.

This episode’s alternative writing prompt:

Story Idea - Romance by Chance or Circumstance

Valentine’s Day is a romantic day for most. Fred, however, has tried to be romantic. He has set blind dates. He has written poems, bought flowers, and arranged numerous carriage rides…all for other people. Fred always seemed to be there to help most of his friends connect with their romantic counterpart. He has decided to ignore the topic all together for himself. That is until his close friend, Sadie, comes to him for help. She asks Fred to arrange a carriage ride where her date does not show up. She asks for dinner to be arranged using some of Fred’s contact and friends in the restaurant business. However, her date doesn’t show up again. Then, Valentine’s Day arrives…

Decide if Sadie had a bad series of romantic opportunities or has other intentions. Decide how Fred feels about these instances. Decide if Fred understands the situation or simply goes with the flow as usual. Decide if relationships develop due to much effort or through random circumstance. Decide on the story and write. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

If you are an author in search of readers or have comments about our show, contact us:

ramblingverser@storyinstitute.com

615-431-WRIT (9748)

Remember to Imagine, Enhance, and Grow your stories @ www.storyinstitute.com

Running Time: 10 minutes 55 seconds

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Tags: Author conversations, Inspiration, John Donne, poetry, short story, Stephen Crane, writing, writing methods, writing podcast, writing tips