Blog Schedule

I post on Monday with an occasional random blog thrown in for good measure. I do my best to answer all comments via email and visit around on the days I post.

Monday, August 22, 2016

Titles to Write By, Being Thankful

"Titles" is an occasional blog post in which we play with a single word and turn it into, what else, titles! Afterwards the object is to pick one of them and write a little something.

It was Ray Bradbury, in his book ZEN IN THE ART OF WRITING, who taught me about making lists of words and turning them into titles. If you haven't read it I highly recommend it.



For no particular reason today's word is: 
Olympic




Well, there is a reason for using Olympic. One is that I've watched more of the Summer Olympics this year than I ever have in the past. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it's because there's been nothing better on TV. Whatever the reason, it's been a delight to see so many records broken, so many gold medals won. The U. S. women's gymnastic team,  the women who won gold in the relay race, watching  Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky swim for gold, all were awesome. And lastly, getting to see Usain Bolt win his 9th gold for Jamaica was icing on the cake.

Another reason is, the job/task of preparing for my book blog tour in October is Olympian. I'm think I'm doing pretty well. I have about half of my guest posts written and sent and I still have the whole month of September to work with! So, I'm feeling kind of up-beat in that department, like I have a chance at winning gold.

So, here are some titles to write by using the word Olympic and its various variations. 

Sunrise at Olympus Mons
Say Olympic Enough Times and it Starts to Sound Funny
O. Lym Pic, Photographer
Olympia: The Winner Who Limped to Victory
Olympic Hurdles Writers Face and How to Hurdle Them
A Visit to Mount Olympus: How I Survived The Gods
The Olympic Garden
The Olympic Heart

I'd take on of these title and write a little something, but for write errrr, right now, I'm busy writing other things and don't feel particularly inspired.
***
Being Thankful
Today I'm thankful for
MORE RAIN!
Yes, we've had a lovely batch of rain all last week and this week-end. 
Over 7 inches. 
It was a slow soaking rain.
Making the ground soft and the plants go "ahhhh."
I'd say it was an Olympian feat of Nature,
but I think it comes easy to her 
if all the right ingredients are in place.

***
What are you thankful for? Have you been watching the Olympics? Do any of my titles inspire you? Care to share some titles of your own? 







24 comments:

  1. Hi Bish, I like the idea of taking a random using and turning it into a title. Whilst I'm using all my writing time on my current book project so won't try to write a story using this word, I'd have to say the 'Olympic' would have been a good title for my current blog post! :)

    Susan at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

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    1. I like the idea too. Many of my stories have been inspired by this practice. I Bradbury for sharing this "prompt!"

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  2. Great word to pick for titles right now. And we've had more rain too, thankfully.

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    1. The rain is wonderful. I'm not tired of it yet.

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  3. It was a really good Olympics. We watched a lot of it as well.
    Here's a title for you - How to be an Idiot at the Olympics by Ryan Lochte.

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    1. Haha! I was going to mention that, but decided not to. What a bunch of asses. I feel bad for their families and for their team members.

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  4. The Olympics have been great this year. I've loved the UK's gymnastics, diving and cycling success. The titles are great! I'm sure you'll reach the finish line with style on your tour.

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    1. Thanks, Nick! I've very much enjoyed watching all the different countries *playing* together.

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  5. I've been reading some writing books because...well, I'm obsessed with this craft. ;) So I am adding Ray Bradbury's book you mentioned to my list. Thanks!

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    1. Bradbury's book remains my favorite! Hope you enjoy it.

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  6. Love your Olympic inspired post today!. And that rain? I'm so jealous.

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    1. Wish I could send some your way. I know California needs it bad.

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  7. Hey, Bish. I too had fun watching the Olympics. Congrats on finishing your blog posts for your tour so early. Yup, that sounds like an Olympian task.

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    1. Yup, getting those posts off to the people who be hosting me takes quite a bit of work. But I'm getting there.

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  8. The olympics were incredible this year, weren't they? I really enjoyed them. Loved your title, too!

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  9. O. Lym Pic, Photographer is inspired. I’ve loved the Olympics this year and am sad it's over, but we still have the Paralympics to look forward to. I’m thankful for a TV to watch it on!

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  10. I DVR'd each night of Olympics, then fast-forwarded through the commercials the next day. Amazing that I could get through a four-hour show in under two! I especially loved the gymnastics and the diving...I used to be a one-meter diver up through college. Rules changed my senior year and I had to learn the 3-meter springboard (the lowest board they dive off in the Olympics). By age 21 I had developed a healthy sense of fear, so learning to dive from the "high board" was intimidating, and after I graduated I reverted to the low board. Once, though, I jumped off a 5-meter tower, but other than jumping off quarry cliffs in New Hampshire, that was quite enough, thank you! Those ten-meter divers simply amaze me.

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  11. Hi Bish - I've loved the Olympics ... and the Brits haven't done badly ... shows dedication and passion = what we need as writers.

    The ParaOlympics will provide us with much food for thought ... as they will have all overcome so much ...

    Love the idea of creating title ... O Limpet Ichs ... I wonder how many got sick?! Cheers Hilary

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  12. I've only watched certain categories and I simply cannot get enough of Simone Biles--what a talented young lady! I'll have to ponder titles.

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  13. Speaking of guest posts, I should really send you my list for your post, eh? The last month has just been like ME=deer, life=headlights. Enough with excuses. Back to being responsible and on top of things!

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    1. LOL! Never mind. You're so on top of things that you already got me everything. Whew! Way to be responsible for me!

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  14. Wonderful titles! I'm always really bad at titles. We've been getting a lot of rain too. My plants have loved it! Have a lovely weekend. :)

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  15. I am glad you have been getting more rain! Yeah!

    I did enjoy watching the Olympics. I especially enjoyed swimming, diving, gymnastics, and track and field. What amazing athletes! :)
    ~Jess

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  16. This is an intriguing idea. Titles can be so hard for me.

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Your Random Thoughts are most welcome!