The Friendly Friday Folly! by Shutta Crum

When the first round of Covid hit last year, it seemed like everything stopped. And in that stoppage was the monthly critique group I’d been part of since about 2001 (though the group had been around much longer). During that hiatus, I thought if I could just keep myself motivated—keep that little spark of inspiration which was usually fueled by the critique group—that would be wonderful. I feared my pen was drying up (or my computer had lost its oomph!). So, once I got the hang of Zoom, the Friday Follies were born on the first Friday of September 2020.

What It Is

It’s quick. We meet online for no more than 30 to 45 minutes. The idea is simple: I give the group a writing prompt and we all write for 7 to 10 minutes. If anyone ones to share, they may. No pressure. No critiquing. (Afterall, this is automatic writing. We don’t expect polish.) But a participant may comment on somebody’s piece if they want to. It’s all very laid-back; just basically to get our pens/computers going for a few moments and then to see what happens.

It’s easy. Part of the problem of planning any meeting is settling on dates when a majority can attend. We made the Friday Follies as easy on folks as possible. No having to email back and forth a zillion times. There is a standing date and time (1st and 3rd Fridays at 1:30 pm). And no need to RSVP. Whoever shows up, shows up. Just mark it as a standing meeting on your calendar.

What Can Happen

While it’s fun, what happens can, also, be fruitful! For example, take a look at this quickie dialogue written by Doug Kasischke to this prompt:

“ . . . comedian, Tim Hawkins, compares the flavor and taste of a Krispy Kreme donut to “eating a baby angel.” How true is that . . .

 

Now, think about one of your favorite foods. Write a scene in which a character is trying to describe that taste to someone who’s never eaten that food. (Could be someone new to the U.S.) Use as many metaphors/similes as you need to.

 

OR:

 

Write a scene in which one character argues with another about how a favorite food tastes. The two characters have widely differing opinions on the matter.

Doug’s Campfire Enchilada Dialogue response (with some punctuation added later):

“It’s an enchilada.”

 “I know. I ordered it.”

 “You know it’s just a slice of cheese inside a corn tortilla.”

 “With sauce.”

 “Sure, but…”

 “It’s warm.”

 “I hope so.”

“No, the taste, like riding up to a campfire.”

“You ride horses?”

“No, but if I did… Let’s say it’s night, with a blizzard—the snow pelting your face like a million little icicles; and up ahead you see a campfire, and as you near, you feel the warmth. The snow feels it, too, and softens. The wind itself grows warmer, and the fire—it’s warmth—melts the snow, even dries it, and leaves a warm breeze; and your hands thaw, and your face, and you can feel again. That’s what an enchilada, at Compadre’s in Napa, California tastes like.

Wow! That last paragraph! It’s so difficult to describe tastes and smells. But Doug really delivers by setting a whole scene and getting into the details. Now, granted, the results are not always this great. But I’ve heard numerous workable and imaginative ideas, lines, paragraphs, scenes, poems read by the Friday Folly writers.

The Prompts

For me, coming up with prompts keeps me on my toes—thinking and reading about writing. I try not to use the common kinds of prompts which are subject oriented and can be found all over the internet. Such as “Write about a time you . . .” The prompts are directed at writing techniques: structure, setting, dialogue, characterization, plot, lateral thinking, etc. All the nitty gritty. And I write to the prompts, as well.

Join Us

We are open to new folks joining us! You just have to send me (shutta@shuttacrum.com) your email address so you can be included on the weekly reminder and the link email. Then join us with pen and paper on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month at 1:30 pm. And ask your writing buddies to come along. No pressure—just show up and write for a few moments. Share if you want to.

Many writers fight sitting down and writing. Here’s a way to reinforce good writing habits in a fun and stress-free way. Won’t you join us?

Shutta Crum is the author of several middle-grade novels and many picture books, poems, and magazine articles. THUNDER-BOOMER! was an ALA and a Smithsonian Magazine “Notable Book” of the year. Her books have made Bank Street College lists as well as state award lists. She has won four Royal Palm awards (Fl), including one for WHEN YOU GET HERE, a collection of poems for adults. A second collection of poetry is expected in 2022. In addition, she writes the monthly Wordsmith’s Playground newsletter, blogs regularly for the Florida Writers Association, and hosts a column in the OPAP magazine (Of Poets & Poetry) for the Florida State Poet’s Association. For more information see www.shutta.com.