Writing – Ninagracia

Visual Writing Prompts: What do they really think?

April 3, 2022April 3, 2022 by Ninagracia, posted in The Power of Pictures, Writing, Writing Prompts

It is hard to write and stay focused when there is so much noise around us. News of war, fights, and disasters are pretty overwhelming, taking our attention away from our writing activities. Sometimes, we just don’t know what to write, or we are experiencing a slowdown in our writing process.

Many of us are constantly improving our craft, and the only way to improve our writing is to write regularly. If we don’t know what to write, or if it feels like we are stuck in the writing process, good writing prompts can unlock some new ideas and stimulate all kinds of writing.

Have you tried visual writing prompts? I personally like looking at drawings or pictures to stir my imagination. So, if you love animals, let’s start with them. Do you have any idea what goes inside their heads?

The Bookworm

“So, where are the worms? I’ve already checked all the pages.”

Write something funny about this picture.

Small but Smart

“Are we there yet? If my day gets worse than this, I’m going home.”

This guinea pig is getting bored. Continue this story.

Speed Reading

“So, how much faster do you want me to read? I don’t even know what I’m reading.”

Continue this dialogue.

Hide and Seek

‘Hello. Where’s everybody? Are we still playing?”

Continue this story. What happened?

Follow the Leader

“This is a classic example of a blind spot.”

Explain what is going on in this picture.

Have fun writing. Till next time.

Ninagracia

Artwork and Photograph by: Nathan May

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

March 7, 2021March 7, 2021 by Ninagracia, posted in Writing

As we reached the first quarter of 2021, let us acknowledge that we all have changed, in a big or small way. We have changed our ability to think, our perspectives in life, and our capacity to understand someone or something.

The year 2020 seemed to be very long, but we survived. Looking back, 2020 presented us with so many challenges beyond our grip. It tested our ability to withstand pressure and stress. It tested our strength and vitality to handle and recover from financial hardship.

We learned so many things from the past, and this is the time we could sit down, look back, and reflect. What have we learned from 2020, and what are we prepared to change in 2021?

With the past, I have nothing to do, nor with the future. I live now.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

YESTERDAY,

We learned. . .

to appreciate the little things we have

***

there are some things we can’t control

***

we can cope and adapt to a new situation

***

TODAY,

We bounce back.

***

We move forward.

***

AND

We surround ourselves with little things like:

TOMORROW…

We will celebrate what we have learned and accomplished

Till next time, enjoy the pleasures of life.

Sources:

268 Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes. (n.d.). BrainyQuote. https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/ralph-waldo-emerson-quotes

NicePNG – HD transparent PNG & cliparts images, free unlimited download! (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2021, from https://www.nicepng.com

The Power of Words: Shall We Sing?

December 2, 2020December 2, 2020 by Ninagracia, posted in The Power of Words, Writing, Writing Prompts

Let’s admit it. When we hear dance music, it is hard to ignore the beat. So, we tap our feet, snap our fingers, tilt our heads to the left and to the right, and we sing along with it. That rush of excitement made us dance (when there’s no one watching) or if you are brave enough, grab someone to dance along with you.

Okay, that is how I imagined we would typically do it. But what about if we read song lyrics? What would you do aside from singing it to yourself?

This is your writing prompt number 5.

You can sing the song, or you can do something with it.

When we listen to music, it grabs our attention, and we momentarily get lost in the tune, beat and melody of the song. Sometimes we don’t even realise that every word or phrase on those songs convey some thoughts and emotions.

Because every song has a story behind it.

Reading song lyrics can make our minds wander around. The words in the song can inhibit new ideas, images, unlock memories and emotions.

We can create something new or write a new story, poem, or even a new song based on the song lyrics. The possibilities are endless.

Okay, let’s begin. Let’s do it one bite-size at a time.

For those who love the “Blues”, here are a few lines that would be great to start with.

GIVE ME ONE REASON (By Tracy Chapman)

Give me one reason to stay here
And I’ll turn right back around
Give me one reason to stay here
And I’ll turn right back around

Said I don’t wanna leave you lonely
You got to make me change my mind

MISTY BLUE (By Dorothy Moore)

Oh, it’s been such a long, long time
Look like I’d get you off of my mind
But I can’t
Just the thought of you (just the thought of you)
Turns my whole world misty blue (misty blue)

Oh honey, just the mention of your name (just your name)
Turns the flicker to a flame
Listen to me good, baby
I think of the things we used to do
And my whole world turns (misty blue) misty blue

For the lovers of “Country Music”, I got these for you…

HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT
(By Kris Kristofferson, Lorrie Morgan)

Take the ribbon from your hair
Shake it loose and let it fall
Laying’ soft upon my skin
Like the shadows on the wall
Come and lay down by my side
Till the early morning’ light
All I’m takin’ is your time
Help me make it through the night

SUSPICIOUS MINDS (By Elvis Presley)

We’re caught in a trap
I can’t walk out
Because I love you too much baby
Why can’t you see
What you’re doing to me
When you don’t believe a word I say?
We can’t go on together
With suspicious minds (suspicious minds)
And we can’t build our dreams
On suspicious minds

Feel like “Dancing”? I got that covered too…

HAPPY (By Pharrell Williams)

It might seem crazy what I’m ’bout to say
Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break
I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way
Huh, because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

MAN IN THE MIRROR (By Michael Jackson)

I’m gonna make a change,
For once I’m my life
It’s gonna feel real good,
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right
As I, turn up the collar on
My favorite winter coat
This wind is blowing my mind
I see the kids in the streets,
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind?
Pretending not to see their needs
A summer disregard, a broken bottle top
And a one man soul
They follow each other on the wind ya’ know
‘Cause they got nowhere to go
That’s why I want you to know
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
(If you want to make the world a better place)
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
(Take a look at yourself, and then make a change)
(Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah

You don’t have to be old to like “Jazz”. Raise your hand if you are…

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD (By Louis Armstrong)

I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, “How do you do?”
They’re really saying
“I love you”

DON’T KNOW WHY (By Nora Jones)

I waited ’til I saw the sun
I don’t know why I didn’t come
I left you by the house of fun
I don’t know why I didn’t come
I don’t know why I didn’t come
When I saw the break of day
I wished that I could fly away
Instead of kneeling in the sand
Catching teardrops in my hand
My heart is drenched in wine
But you’ll be on my mind
Forever

When we hear the name Michael Jackson, what comes to mind is “Rhythm and Blues“.

ONE DAY IN YOUR LIFE (By Michael Jackson)

One day in your life
You’ll remember a place
Someone touching your face
You’ll come back and you’ll look around, you’ll

One day in your life
You’ll remember the love you found here
You’ll remember me somehow
Though you don’t need me now
I will stay in your heart
And when things fall apart
You’ll remember one day

END OF THE ROAD (By Boyz II Men)

Girl you know we belong together
I don’t have no time for you to be playing with my heart like this
You’ll be mine forever baby
You just wait

We belong together
And you know that I am right
Why do you play with my heart?
Why do you play with my mind?
Said we’d be forever
Said it’d never die

How could you love me and leave me and never
Say goodbye?

If you want fantastic music that “Rock”, I got you covered too…

MEMORIES (Elvis Presley)

Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine
Quiet thought come floating down
And settle softly to the ground
Like golden autumn leaves around my feet
I touched them and they burst apart with sweet memories
Sweet memories

BLOWING IN THE WIND (By Bob Dylan)

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind

Some people say music is good for the “Soul” …

LEAN ON ME (By Bill Withers)

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow
Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on

HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART (By Al Green)

I can think of younger days when living for my life
Was everything a man could want to do
I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow
And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?How can you mend this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again

Had enough?

Music can lift our spirit and mood. It encourages us to seek inspiration to create something new.

Pen a story, a poem, a new song, or new characters for your story.

Use the power of words. Use those lyrics to inspire your creativity.

Till next time, remember – “Music eases the mind and puts all worries behind”.

And oh – as long as you don’t ask me to sing, we’ll be best friends forever.

See ya!

Ninagracia

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
Lyrics: https://www.music.youtube.com/

Do You Know Your Story Teller?

October 14, 2020October 14, 2020 by Ninagracia, posted in Writing, Writing Advice

I was only ten years old when I first read a paperback novel passed on to me by a friend in my class. It was a romance novel by Barbara Cartland. At a very tender age, I began to wonder how she could write beautiful stories, or whether she imagined them all, or if she knew those people.

I grew up admiring her, even though I don’t know anything about her. I love reading her books. I read at least ten of her books if I could remember it. You see, my friend had stopped passing any books to me because her older cousins didn’t have any more books left.

Now, I have read other books written by different authors, and I began to understand how those beautiful stories were written, or sometimes why they wrote those stories.

Knowing the real-life biography of your storyteller sometimes help to understand their writing. We don’t need to go deeper into their life story, but it is nice to know that they are also human just like us. They experienced sadness, loss, or tragedy.

Authors write to entertain, to heal, to give hope, to love, and to inspire. And, despite all those events in their lives, they were able to weave beautiful stories that offer hope, or stories that made us and those young children laugh.

Most of their stories were accounts of feelings and emotions were meaningful imaginations and impressions of real events.

Some stories pierce our hearts because beneath the surface of that imagined events lies a part of the author’s revelations of their life and experiences that were partly truthful and colourful.

As an aspiring author, just like you and me, and everybody else, the authors’ real-life story inspires us to be the best we can be. The difficulties that they have to go through and still able to write their book offers us the strength to continue on with confidence and with positive thinking.

Let us learn from the best and understand their work, because once upon a time, they were just like us learning from the best.

Eventually, we too one day, will share our life story to others so we can inspire and give them the strength to write that story that they have been holding off for a very long time.

Till next time, enjoy the pleasures of life.

Ninagracia

A Love Affair with the Moon

October 7, 2020October 7, 2020 by Ninagracia, posted in Writing, Writing Prompts

“Someone out there is also looking at the same stars and moon I am looking at now.”

Have you heard this before? Write something about your affair with the moon.

This is your writing prompt number 4.

Just like some other people, I love to stare at the moon when it comes in the late evening.

It is calming, gentle, and breathtaking. I feel deeply connected with it because it offers me a complete relaxation and a source of tranquility and ethereal stillness.

And it’s a love affair. It comes every night, wherever I am, to give me light where there is ultimate darkness.

Now, let me share with you mine.

Here’s an excerpt from my work-in-progress romance novel, “Thinner than Water“.

This is what Russell said to Viven …

“I once had a love affair with the moon. A star fell on my hand, and it glittered like a big diamond. Then the moon told me, ‘I give it to you to light up your paths.’ She kissed me and whispered, ‘If you wanted to see me, just lookup. I will always be on the other side looking at you too.’ When I opened my eyes, she was gone.”

Till next time.

Dream big and make it happen.

Ninagracia

The Power of Pictures: “The Not So Camera-Shy Pup”

August 26, 2020August 25, 2020 by Ninagracia, posted in The Power of Pictures, Writing, Writing Prompts

We are surrounded every day with countless photos of events surrounding our lives. Having easy access to cameras nowadays, taking photographs is a thing of the past.

We take photos of everything we see, our families, our friends, our children, the food we eat, the people on the streets, places, and even animals.

To snap a photograph of your pet with your mobile phone is hard enough, let alone make him sit still and pose for a picture.

But here is Waffle. See what he does in front of the camera.

Write something about the photos.

This is your writing prompt number 3

A visual writing prompt helps you to think about and develop a topic to write.

Visual images such as this, can stimulate your imaginations and sometimes capture your emotions.

Looking at the photographs help you to dig deeper to come up with a new story.

This is more helpful if you are writing a children’s book.

When you respond to picture prompts, it encourages you to think and interpret the photographs creatively.

Think about applying humour in your writing. It will be fun.

Feel free to share what you came up with using these photos. Send them in. It will be fun to read them all.

Till next time, say Woof, Woof!!

Cheers!

Ninagracia

One-Size-Fits-All: Is it True in Writing?

August 19, 2020August 19, 2020 by Ninagracia, posted in Writing, Writing Advice

There is no “one-size-fits-all” answer to writing.

Writing is not the same as shopping for clothes, where one-size-fits-all would fit anyone.

Clothes may look so good on the rack, but most of the time, not on our bodies.

The same thing is true with writing.

We all come in different packages, and we are unique in our own way.

What we write reflects who we are – our strengths, talents, and style.

There would be areas in our lives that our level of expertise, experience, and skills would be the same as the others. Still, it is very unusual that two people would come out with the same materials. Multiple factors would normally affect the outcome of our work.

Even our education and our age, all contribute to how we write.

More often, we get the same advice over and over again from established authors on how to do things properly.

We followed everything up to the very smallest detail, hoping that it would lead us to the same path that made them successful.

Other writers can give us advice on the writing process or what worked for them. In many cases, we would never achieve the same result.

Their advice is precious gems that should not be ignored or discarded. They are valuable pieces of information that has been tested and tried by those successful authors.

Learn from that advice. Take the ones you can use and leave out the ones that don’t work for you.

Remember, those rules and advice should only serve you as guidelines and not a template. All the rest should come from you – your style, tone, and voice.

Pave the way and create your own path to success. It may take longer, but determination, perseverance and hard work would take you there.

Till next time, dream big and make it happen.

Cheers!

Ninagracia

Images by: https://www.nicepng.com/

Prompts and Cues: First Kiss

July 1, 2020July 1, 2020 by Ninagracia, posted in Prompts and Cues, Writing, Writing Prompts

Do you remember your first kiss? How did your first kiss go?

Our life is filled with so many “first” – first job, a first pay cheque, first boyfriend, and the first kiss, which is only one part of our journey.

The first time you kissed someone, or someone kissed you, it becomes one of the most memorable moments of your life.

Kissing is a romantic gesture and an expression of affection. You could probably still remember who you were with, where you were, and who initiated the kiss.

Whether the kiss lasted a second or two, it would stay in your memory as the best and most passionate kiss you ever had.

Perhaps, even up to this time you still remember every detail of that kiss you had, whether it was adorable, an okay one, or awkwardly hilarious.

So, let’s find out.

My first kiss went a little like this . . .

Finish this story.

This is your Writing Prompt Number 2.

Writing practice helps us get better in writing.

Using writing prompts will help us improve our creative writing process.

You’ll never know, once you filled up your treasure chest of all the things you wrote in response to these writing prompts, you may end up with a brand-new story, or it could give you some fresh ideas for another project you are already working on.

Now, let me share with you mine.

Here’s an excerpt from the romance novel I am currently working on.

Well, I used a few imaginations I picked from here and there and from…you know what.

A gentle wind blew her hair and face, sending a chilling sensation to her whole body. The cold breeze that was creeping through her skin gave her a sudden rush of desire for his touch-those warm and strong hands touching her and loving her. She waited with anticipation to kiss him and feel the warmth of his breath on her lips, but she could only dream about it.

He touched her cheek with the back of his fingers, and her pulse throbbed rapidly. She closed her eyes, but the warmth of his eyes was overflowing with desire and passion. She looked into his eyes, and she fell into a trap. She could not breathe, but she could not let go of him. Like a captive prisoner, she pushed him away, but he pulled her back even closer. He lifted her chin and bent down to kiss her forehead. His kisses were like rose petals softly brushing her eyes, her nose, and her cheek. She could no longer take it. Her body became limp surrendering to his powerful arms, but only his strong hands on her waist were keeping her aground while she held onto him, and the warmth of his breath on her face captured her lips in a long deep kiss that lasted for an eternity.

There you go. Now it’s your turn. I couldn’t imagine what your story is like. Feel free to share it here.

Till next time. Enjoy all your “first”.

Cheers!

Ninagracia

Writing Can Be Brilliant – Let’s Celebrate

June 10, 2020June 11, 2020 by Ninagracia, posted in Writing, Writing Advice

I had several pieces of paper tucked away somewhere where no one could find them. Why? They were my little notes or letters I wrote to myself mainly when I was upset, angry or feeling unhappy. At a very young age, I had been accustomed to doing this over some time.

I wrote a short poem on a piece of cardboard of a tissue box when I was feeling down or confused. I wrote myself a letter on a page of my mum’s grocery list because the boy in my class liked another girl. I also wrote myself a letter on the lining of my school bag when I lost my dog. And, I also wrote a letter to Santa to give me a new puppy for Christmas. Big and small events in my life were all written down and hidden away from everybody. It wasn’t a diary. Most of them were accounts of sad, angry, or unhappy feelings.

And, I found it easy to write because these outpour of feelings and emotions were all meaningful imaginations and impressions of real events.

If you notice, some stories will pierce the very core of our hearts because beneath the surface of that imagined event lies a part of the author’s dramatic revelations of their life and experiences that were partly truthful and colourful.

Because writing can be brilliant.

It is a way of sharing our experiences, describing our feelings, and even communicating more complex ideas effectively.

But writing doesn’t have to be all about sadness and unhappiness.

Just because you are unhappy doesn’t mean you can write a beautiful story or a good poem.

Our life is an unfinished novel on its own. Each chapter tells what we have actually lived through.

And our life story will go on a chapter by chapter for many years to come until the writer of our life story writes the final chapter.

There are so many things that are making sense to me now because I got older and that life should be celebrated every single day.

So, do you have a celebratory song? I particularly love the song “I Can See Clearly Now” by Jimmy Cliff. It is a song that I couldn’t wait to play on my MP3 while lying in bed to celebrate a tiny happy event in my life. It was not all about writing, but every event that I think should be celebrated.

I played this song when I finished a chapter on the story I am currently working on.

I listened to this song when we adopted a puppy and when we got a new guinea pig.

I also played this song when I lost 200 grams after weeks of dieting. Well, try to understand, dieting is so HARD, that’s why it’s a celebration. (No food. I just listened to my favourite song. Honestly!).

Let’s celebrate.

If you want to hear this song, just click the button and feel free to sing along with this if you know the lyrics.

Song: I Can See Clearly Now
Artist: Jimmy Cliff
Album: I Can See Clearly Now
Writer: Johnny Nash

Here’s just a few I celebrated . . .

ninagracia.com

So here we go. Find the song that you can play or listen to celebrate.

Till next time. Dream big and make it happen.

Cheers!

Ninagracia

Sources:

For educational purposes only and no copyright infringement intended…https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/122723158574245427/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCduvhGdi7jqx5NlgJyqjfUg

https://www.nicepng.com/ourpic/u2e6r5e6u2a9t4a9_transparent-background-wine-glasses/

Sharpen Your Tools

June 5, 2020June 5, 2020 by Ninagracia, posted in Writing, Writing Prompts

“Hey, do you want to marry me?”

I almost peed on my pants when I heard that question. It was not something I’ve been waiting to hear, but it was unexpected and decidedly unromantic. Believe me! All I did was share a bag of popcorn with him at the cinema, and now I have to marry this guy?

“Why?” I asked.

“Ha! Ha! You’re so funny. Come on, let’s get married. Don’t you want to marry me?”

Okay, let’s stop it there for a moment.

Do you want to know my answer?

Or, you can FINISH MY STORY …

This is your writing prompt.

It is hard to start writing when you are staring at that white screen on your computer, and nothing is coming out of your head.

Writing prompts are guides to help you jumpstart your writing.

It can help you stimulate your creativity and help you spark new ideas for your work. It enables you to generate a new topic to write about.

Writing prompts may be a simple sentence or a question, or a topic you could elaborate further. It can also be a scenario or a picture you can write about.

Let me give you an example. I used a television commercial for a brand of coffee when I was writing a scene on a marriage proposal. This is the romance novel that I am currently working on.

So here it is, take a look at it.

NicePng_black-mug-png_4071569

On some occasions, Jonie would spend the weekend with Philip at his apartment. She particularly loves the breathtaking view of the waterfront from Philip’s bedroom window. She daydreams about the freshness of the seashells and the water from the marina. Her daydreaming was interrupted for a few moments when Philip poured steaming water in her cup.

“Sugar?” he asked. Jonie nodded without saying a word, and then quickly reached for the bowl of sugar that Philip placed on the table. While still looking out at the window and watching the waves, she scooped one teaspoon into her cup, followed by a second one when an object with a loud metallic sound fell in her cup. It caught her attention, and she quickly stirred the cup and scooped the object out.

“Oh, Philip,” her eyes bulged out with surprise.

Philip took the object from the teaspoon. He went down on his knees and carefully placed it on her left ring finger.

“Jonie, there are not enough words to describe how much love I have for you, and I couldn’t think of the best way to do this except to ask you to marry me. Would you marry me, Miss Jonie Riviera?”

So, here you go. The above scenario was an imagined event that was generated from something so simple as a television commercial.

Writing prompts are straightforward to use, and they come very useful when you are searching for something to write.

In any field of expertise like artists, performers, or even authors like us, need to hone our craft to get better at what we are doing.

The only way to improve our writing is to continually write and have the willingness to learn to grow as better authors.

Let start filling in our treasure chest with bits of prompts like photos, a sentence, a question, a word, a scenario we saw on the TV, and anything we come across. All these are little gems that will come handy one day.

Who knows, you might finish a whole new story only using your responses to these prompts you kept in your treasure chest.

Perfection requires practice. Our imaginations are our tools to make writing more natural and less complicated. Sharpening our imaginations by regularly writing will make us better writers.

Now, think about the time when that special someone in your life proposed to you and asked for your hand in marriage. What about you guys, planning that important event in your life and dreaming of a perfect time and place to ask that lovely lady for her hand in marriage.

NicePng_wedding-rings (resiuzed)-png_93058

It is a good place to start. You’ll never know. Once you start writing you may end up finishing a whole story.

Good luck.

Dream big and make it happen.

Cheers!

Ninagracia

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