This was delightful! I'm so inspired by Mayer's prompts. Also, why not be that kind of improvisational writer? Indeed! At the same time, I wonder if the kind of writing we do would work with that method. It's certainly worth a try!
I know Mayer's work through my friend, Bronwen Tate, who wrote a dissertation chapter on her--all about how temporal or spatial containers (like the 24 hr poem you mention) prompt creativity.
I'm so glad you enjoyed, Jillian. I was actually thinking of you, because in a podcast interview with Mayer that I listened to, she talked a bit about how she actually wrote Midwinter Day, i.e. how she wrote a book in one day *about* that one day. Part of it was she kept a tape recorder in a closet and would sneak in there to record her notes/impressions, plus she had multiple typewriters (I think?) around the house that she could pause at, and she carried a notebook when she left the house... Might be someone to research for Noted!
I have backed into the work of Bernadette Mayer through "Midwinter Constellation," a collaborative work in honor of Mayer's "Midwinter Day." Constellation is a revelation, a braided collection of dailiness by 32 women poets. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it weaves a spell and challenges what I thought I knew about writing. "Midwinter Day" is a must read for me now.
Like you, I haven’t been too enthusiastic about writing prompts, but only yesterday I was in a workshop and was asked to write about something I would never have thought about and I really enjoyed it! (It was about menopause- write about the day of your last period. Well that blew my mind!) Anyway, I’m pleased to be here on your Substack and subscribed for more. 😀
Inevitably, I read your newsletter and I end up smiling.
Thank you!
Thanks, LuAnn, your note made me smile! ☺️
This was delightful! I'm so inspired by Mayer's prompts. Also, why not be that kind of improvisational writer? Indeed! At the same time, I wonder if the kind of writing we do would work with that method. It's certainly worth a try!
I know Mayer's work through my friend, Bronwen Tate, who wrote a dissertation chapter on her--all about how temporal or spatial containers (like the 24 hr poem you mention) prompt creativity.
I'm so glad you enjoyed, Jillian. I was actually thinking of you, because in a podcast interview with Mayer that I listened to, she talked a bit about how she actually wrote Midwinter Day, i.e. how she wrote a book in one day *about* that one day. Part of it was she kept a tape recorder in a closet and would sneak in there to record her notes/impressions, plus she had multiple typewriters (I think?) around the house that she could pause at, and she carried a notebook when she left the house... Might be someone to research for Noted!
Oooo that’s fascinating! Thanks for the tip, Mason!
Thank you so much for putting her work and her prompts on my radar. So good!
Ah, my pleasure, this does seem right up your alley!
Her prompts are so inspiring! Thank you for sharing this :)
I’m glad you enjoyed! I too found the prompts (and just her overall career/attitude/way of being) super inspiring
I have backed into the work of Bernadette Mayer through "Midwinter Constellation," a collaborative work in honor of Mayer's "Midwinter Day." Constellation is a revelation, a braided collection of dailiness by 32 women poets. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it weaves a spell and challenges what I thought I knew about writing. "Midwinter Day" is a must read for me now.
Oh, I did not know about Midwinter Constellation! Reading more now . . . thank you!
Wonderful list. Thx for sharing.
Ooh I can't wait to dig into these writing prompts! Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure! Thanks for reading 🙏
Like you, I haven’t been too enthusiastic about writing prompts, but only yesterday I was in a workshop and was asked to write about something I would never have thought about and I really enjoyed it! (It was about menopause- write about the day of your last period. Well that blew my mind!) Anyway, I’m pleased to be here on your Substack and subscribed for more. 😀
Love these prompts! Thank you!
Thanks for this, looking forward to your next book! :)
Thank you very much!
Love these, thanks! A lot of those prompts had me grinning and I can't help think I'll be trying some out...
Glad to hear! I will definitely be trying some of the prompts out for myself.
Love this!
Thanks, Christian!
I don't use prompts nearly as much as I should. In other words, never. I'll be using some of these.
"Then we begin to know something." There's so much in that line. Thanks for sharing.