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Writing Project fellows frequently exercise their writing skills based on prompts or activities.
Here are some of the results from those exercises:

In this exercise, participants were asked to make something out of clay. When they were finished, they were asked to write something from the clay object's point of view.

I was just sitting in a bag not bothering a soul. Then all of a sudden this woman ripped me apart. I was given to several different people. One lady took me and rolled me into balls. Wendi Her hands are warm, nervous, and I am happy to cool and soothe them and her — Her lack of skill is evident — the things I’ve been told to anticipate. Gail From the boring context of a lump I have emerged into an expression — a form. Carolyn
There I was, just sitting there, minding my own business when a huge bright light suddenly appeared. Immediately I started thinking about the stories I’ve heard all my life. You know--when you see the light, go toward it. You’ll see people you know and who love you. So, naturally, I went to the light. Sure enough, the light was all; it was everywhere. I heard sounds — laughter. “You’ve got to be kidding! I’m not in arts”; “No! Not my nails” — snippets of conversation filled with love and joy. Suzanne I am the clay. I am also a mule struggling to get out of the clay. The birth is a hard one, but we mules are stubborn and the clay is willing to be molded. We begin flat, then round the edges. Then I am squeezed into a triangle and two flat ears come out. I am plopped onto the table top. I am secure. My ears curl up. Gayle

In this exercise, participants were given a photo and asked to write about it.

I glaze hearts - It's what I do! I take a warm fresh heart and lay it out- exposed for all to see - and let it cool all over with gooey sweetness and watch until its warmth is dissipated. And so develops a cold shiny crust with a sweet appearance. I glaze hearts. It's what I do.   John

Sometimes the writers collaborate as in this short essay:

Why Men Won’t Ask for Directions

By: Ellen, Marie, Marilyn, and Suzanne

Years and years ago, when the Children of Israel were enslaved to Egypt, the most important thing on their minds, naturally, was freedom. What many people didn’t know is that this experience of slavery and freedom taught humanity many important lessons.
It all began when Moses killed an Egyptian guard and ran off into the desert. Did he know where he was going? No. But, off he went, with no map and no navigator.

Eventually, when he was almost dead of hunger and thirst, he managed to stumble into an oasis. The women he met there helped him get his bearings. He spent years with this family rather than brave the desert again or ask for directions back home.

One day he noticed a mountain with a fiery glow on top. He set off to discover the source of the glow. Did he know where he was going? No. But, off he went, with no map and no navigator. Days later, he stumbled back into the oasis. His face was changed forever and he couldn’t explain the experience to his wife.

Moses started thinking about Egypt again. God sent him back. This time the trip was much shorter – he took his wife with him.
After the plague thing, the Pharaoh let the people of Israel go. Thousands of men lined up to follow Moses out into the desert. Did he know where he was going? No. But, off he went, with no map but lots of navigators.

They came across the glowing mountain again, and Moses stopped to investigate. While he was gone, all the other men totally lost their sense of direction (in more ways than one). Everyone ended up wandering in circles in the desert--For Forty Years.
Ever since that time, men will not ask for directions or use a map on their trips. This is also why men need women to get them safely to their destinations.

Swamp Fox Writing Project
Department of English, Modern Languages, and Philosophy
Francis Marion University
Florence, South Carolina 29501

Webmaster / Tech Liaison, Dr. John Sutton: jsutton@fmarion.edu
Last update: 2/19/05