"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.
Today's word is: Mockingbird
There are signs of spring happening in our yard. The most delightful one being the mockingbird that's been singing every day for the past week.
Also, I'm going to assume most everyone knows about the "new" novel by Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird.
So these are two reason for choosing the word. And now... let's play!
Mockingbird Smockingbird
Why Mockingbirds Sing - I have a sweet little story about this called Gift to a Bird.
If I Were a Mockingbird I'd Fly Away
Mockingbirds Forever!
Mockingbirds Rock!
I'll Be Your Mockingbird
The Mockingbird Tree
How High Flies the Mockingbird?
For the Love of Mockingbirds
MockMock the Mockingbird
Six Buzzard Feathers and a Mockingbird's Tail... Oh wait, that one's taken.
Have you ever heard this song before? Do you like mockingbirds? Have you heard any bird song lately? Got a mockingbird title or story?
"Titles to Write By" is an occasional 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 his book I highly recommend it. Turning a word into a number of different titles is a great writing prompt as well as being fun to do.
For no particular reason today's word is: Travel
I'm lying. There IS a reason why today's word is TRAVEL. If, in a few days, you happen to check out my personal facebook page, you may well discover the reason why.
Now, let's get on with playing.
Traveling the Light Fandango
The Traveler's Sorrow
Travel Long, Travel Hard
How I Traveled to Jupiter and Back
Travel Diary of a Crazy Woman
I'm Not a Hobo, I'm a Traveler
Traveling is Dangerous to Sheeple
How Traveling Spread Human's Around the World
The Nomad Who Hated to Travel
Traveling to Antarctica is Not Cool
I hope some of these brought a smile to your face and that you'll share your travel titles in the comments!
Are you much of a traveler? Do you enjoy traveling? What the farthest you've ever traveled? What's the most exotic or exciting place you've ever traveled to?
Sorry Traveling Wilburys is already taken... Handle With Care.
"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 recommend that you do.
For no particular reason today's word is: Strange
Come be My Stranger
Strange Stars, Stranger Places
Strangers to Love
Hate is Full of Strangers
How Strange is Your Life?
A Stranger Thing
Be Strange, Be Real
The Strange Caress
No Longer Strangers
You're Stranger than You Think A Basket of Strange
Got a favorite title with the word STRANGE or STRANGER in it?
I leave you with my favorite song by The Kinks, STRANGERS
Where are you going I don't mind I've killed my world and I've killed my time So where do I go what do I see I see many people coming after me So where are you going to I don't mind If I live too long I'm afraid I'll die So I will follow you wherever you go If your offered hand is still open to me Strangers on this road we are on We are not two we are one So you've been where I've just come From the land that brings losers on So we will share this road we walk And mind our mouths and beware our talk 'Till peace we find tell you what I'll do All the things I own I will share with you If I feel tomorrow like I feel today We'll take what we want and give the rest away Strangers on this road we are on We are not two we are one Holy man and holy priest This love of life makes me weak at my knees And when we get there make your play 'Cos soon I feel you're gonna carry us away In a promised lie you made us believe For many men there is so much grief And my mind is proud but it aches with rage And if I live too long I'm afraid I'll die Strangers on this road we are on We are not two we are one Strangers on this road we are on We are not two we are one
"Titles" is an occasional post in which we play with a single word and turn it into, what else, titles! Afterwards the object is to pick one and write a little something; a poem, a 100 word drabble or even a novel! 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 which you can then use for inspiration. If you haven't read it do so.
For no particular reason today's word is:
Whatever
I can hear those teenagers now... So let's play along with them
Whatever You Say, Mom
There's No Doubt, Whatever
Whatever it's Worth
Forever, Whatever, Who Cares?
She Does Whatever She Can (Sounds like an Anthony Trollope novel.)
Whatever Happened to Happiness?
He's Jealous, Whatever.
Whatever Works
For Whatever Reason
It's Cool, Whatever
Whatever You Want
Friends Are... Whatever
While I was clearing those annoying spam messages I inadvertently deleted a whole bunch of comments from YOU GUYS. Gone. Forever, whatever, who cares? I DO!
Can you think of other titles? Do any of these spark an idea?
Anyway... Here's John Lennon and Elton John, live, doing, Whatever Gets You Through the Night.
Whatever gets you through the night 'salright, 'salright It's your money or your life 'salright, 'salright Don't need a sword to cut through flowers oh no, oh no
Whatever gets you through your life 'salright, 'salright Do it wrong or do it right 'salright, 'salright Don't need a watch to waste your time oh no, oh no
Hold me darlin' come on listen to me I won't do you no harm Trust me darlin' come on listen to me, come on listen to me Come on listen, listen
Whatever gets you to the light 'salright, 'salright Out the blue or out of sight 'salright, 'salright Don't need a gun to blow your mind oh no, oh no
Hold me darlin' come on listen to me I won't do you no harm Trust me darlin' come on listen to me, come on listen to me Come on listen, listen
"Titles" is a recurring 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.
For no particular reason today's word is: ORCHID
Well, actually, there is a reason, orchids were my mother's favorite flower and, in remembering her, I think of orchids.
Did you know the word orchid comes from the Greek orkhis which means testicle? I wonder who came up with THAT name to describe such a beautiful flower.
I mean, really, do they LOOK like testicles?
I think not!
Here are some titles:
Orchid of Love
Light of the Orchid
The Orchid Child
Orchids for Cordelia
The Orchid Tree
The Fairy Orchid
The Magic of Orchids
On the day my sister Erva and I put our mother's ashes out to sea my husband, Stan, wrote this series of three haiku in honor of her.
Her long life of love
Nourishes the sea water While orchids stand watch
Let the waves rush in Swallow this basket of love
Bring peace to our world
Alone two women
Reflect into the moonlight
Mom's life long season
Now it's your turn. Make up a title or write a little something using the orchid as inspiration and leave it in the comments. Consider these pictures, my orchid bouquet to you.
"Titles" is a recurring 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.
Ray Bradbury, in his book Zen in the Art of Writing, (an excellent book by the way)explained that he wrote long lists of nouns "that I simply flung forth on paper, trusting my subconscious to give bread, as it were, to the birds."
Learning while sitting at the feet of the master, I began to do the same, making lists of nouns and turning them into titles. They can be as simple as, The Wall, or more complicated as in The Wall Came Tumbling Down. It's great fun. Today's word is....
"Hi!"
"Cap't, there be whales here!"
My favorite Star Trek movie is The Journey Home. Not only does it have some really funny moments, it's about bringing whales from the past, back to present day earth, which no longer has them. What could be more endearing than that?
Let's make some titles!
Unfortunately Whales on Stiltsis already taken, so we'll have to think of something else.
The Bubble Net Whale
Whale You Were Away
What the Heck is Whaling You?
Even Whales Dream of Flying
The Whale and the Walrus
The Whales of Middle Sea
If I Were a Whale I'd Be Big
Whales Don't Live Here Anymore
Say "Whale" Enough Times and it Starts to Sound Funny
Whales and Wales Are Not the Same
How Many Whales Does it Take to Screw in a Light Bulb?
I Whale Always Remember You
A Whale by Any Other Name is Still a Whale
Whalesong
I could go on and on, but I'll stop. Now, pick one of these titles OR make up one of your own and write a little something: a poem, a bit of flash fiction of 100 to 200 words, a short story, a picture book...a novel. I would love it if you shared.
Here's my contribution.
Even Whales Dream of Flying
In their dreams whales dream of flying
weightless
across the sky.
When they break through the water's surface
and push their giant bodies
towards the sunlight and the stars
there is a moment
when they feel the pull of gravity.
It tugs against their skin,
tugs against the blood and bone of who
they Are.
They shed the weight of
millions of years,
and sing
as they swim on air currents among
the clouds
or float along
the Milk Way
or siphon stardust
through baleen.
In their dreams
whales dream
that they can fly....
Got a title, bit of flash fiction, or a poem? Do share!
