Write a series of odes to inanimate objects that hold importance in your life. Things that you rely on every day. Imagine your life without them, then tell them what they’re worth. And if there happen to be some living things you rely on everyday…write about them too.

Attack something. Get on your soap box. Rant. Curse. Be unfair. Be ruthless. And then apologize. But not til you’re ready. Take your time. You have a week…

This week, give us your version of the seasons and the weather that comes with them. The traditional and the non-traditional. Help us understand the seasons by how you experience or personify them.

Write a series of love letters this week to a film or fictional icon that you’ve had a “complicated relationship” with trying to unpack the meaning of their representation or a love letter to an old teddy bear in your room, a tree in your backyard or . . . someone you actually love and haven’t told in awhile.

There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening
that is translated through you into action,
and because there is only one of you in all time,
this expression is unique.

If you block it,
it will never exist through any other medium
and be lost.
The world will not have it.
It is not your business to determine how good it is;
nor how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly,
to keep the channel open.

You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work.
You have to keep it open and aware directly
to the urges that motivate you.

Keep the channel open.
No artist is pleased.
There is no satisfaction whatever at any time.
There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction;
a blessed unrest that keeps us marching
and makes us more alive that the others.

Martha Graham to Agnes De Mille

Crutches

it’s not the crutches we decry
it’s the need to move forward
though we haven’t the strength
women aren’t allowed to need
so they develop rituals
since we all know working hands idle
the devil
women aren’t supposed to be strong
so they develop social smiles
and secret drinking problems
and female lovers whom they never touch
except in dreams
men are supposed to be strong
so they have heart attacks
and develop other women
who don’t know their weaknesses
and hide their fears
behind male lovers
whom they religiously touch
each saturday morning on the basketball court
it’s considered a sign of health doncha know
that they take such good care
of their bodies
i’m trying to say something about the human condition
maybe i should try again

Nikki Giovanni

 Your life has been published as a book. The author is someone who “knew” you well. What is the title of that book? Write the  blurb that would appear on the back of your book.

WCC is doing a writers’ workshop this August and the goal is to write everyday for a month. This session runs August 1-31. You can write as little or as much as you want in any format – poetry, journal entry, short story, article – but the point is to write every day. We’ll also have prompts available to get you started, but responding to them is not required. So if you want to get back into your writing groove and join up with a community of bad ass female and trans writers from across the globe, post a link to your blog in the comments. If you don’t have a blog, you can start one at wordpress.com. We also love art postings of any medium from painting to video. This work can be uploaded into your posts.

http://www.sabrinawardharrison.com/ee/index.php/sabstudio/tlp/

From AT.AW:

“Considering that it’s winter, it only seemed apt to do some ice hands…just fill up some latex gloves, freeze them and you’re set for any sort of mischief.”