I love writing prompts. I try to write a response to a prompt at least once a week. It’s an exercise that helps to keep my writing brain limber.
Prompts spark the unexpected. When you respond to a prompt, it invariably comes from some unknown, unplanned place. The result isn’t necessarily a “finished” piece of writing. But it has a rough energy that feels honest.
Writer Lydia Lukidis and literary agent Kaitlyn Sanchez put forward some great prompts this week for kidlit writers in their Fall Writing Frenzy Contest. They’ve posted fourteen photos with fall/Hallowe’en themes. The challenge is to respond to one of the photos with something 200 words or less. Winners of the contest will receive critique opportunities on polished manuscripts from editors and agents.
It’s free and anyone can enter until October 8. A totally fun way of getting my brain exercise this week! #FallWritingFrenzy
Here’s my contribution…
DÍA DE MUERTOS
The painted rose on her forehead draws stares, smiles, and honeybees. The breath of their wings is like the quick slapping of her mother’s hands flattening tortillas. Efficient, brisk, impatient.
Her Abuela’s hands moved slowly, gently. Thoughtfully.
Her own hands rest calmly as she sways down the street at the head of the parade. She sees movement above her cheeks and feels the tip-toe of tiny bee feet investigating the rose. She feels them patting the small yellow stamen in the centre where there is a miniature heart painted at the base. A heart for her Abuela.
They’re carrying her, she thinks, taking her with them into the air as they lift and circle skyward.
The tourists snap pictures but do not see her Abuela lifted into the sky. She smiles her Abuela’s smile, knowing that the tourists only see a death head smile, a smile with jewelled tears. But they will remember this Día de Muertos and the girl with a painted rose on her forehead, ringed with honeybees.
