A new year has dawned. For some of us this time is a period of reflection, for others, it’s a time to clean house and start afresh. Definitely the word “resolution” is bandied about, perhaps more than some of us would like. But that word doesn’t have to mean “promises to myself that I won’t keep.” After all, a resolution can be an act of political or social change, the solution to a problem, or it can involve pixels and clarity of image. Bearing all that in mind, can you blame me for choosing “resolution” as our theme this month?

For guidelines, please see The Rules. Remember that you should comment on this post with your links, including the title of the piece that you wrote. Also, I would encourage everyone to visit the blogs of CW participants – most of our Regulars have amazing writing on their sites throughout the month.

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Option One: Seven Things
In improvisation, one of our exercises is a game called “Seven Things,” in which we go around in a circle giving each other the challenge, “Give me seven things that [whatever].” We are not going to go around in a circle here, but if you’re drawn to lists, this prompt is for you.

List seven resolutions that you’ve made – for the New Year, or just for yourself – that you’ve actually kept. (They don’t have to all be from the same year, either.)

Option Two: Pick Three
Pick at least three of the following eight words, and write a paragraph, scene, flash-fic, essay, blog entry or poem using them. It’s fine to change tenses, or pluralize if you want to, but please bold the words you choose.

breathless, change, elusive, pensive, reflect, surge, tide, vibrant

Option Three: Can You Picture That?
Use the following photo to inspire an entry in any form – fiction, essay, poetry. Please copy the photo to your own server if you want to include it in your post.

January Picture

Option Four: Poetry

“In silence and movement you can show the reflection of people.”
— Marcel Marceau

Using the quotation above as your inspiration, write a poem (any form is fine) about reflection.

Option Five: Fiction

“A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people.”
– Annie Leibovitz

Write a short story, scene, or piece of flash-fiction that incorporates the concept of falling in love with a photograph.

Option Six: Timed Writing

Take nine minutes (you have to use all nine, you can’t go over), and interpret the topic Resolution.

Any format (fiction, essay, verse) is acceptable; and it’s expected that your writing will be raw, so don’t stress about editing.

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Don’t forget to comment on this post with the direct link and title of each piece you create. Happy Writing!