For the last 9.5 years, I’ve worked with an amazing group of teen writers every single Wednesday. I love it.

A few times a month we have writing exercises during our meeting, and occasionally I join in and try my hand in writing fiction… something I don’t do very often at all.

Tonight we all decided to take a field trip and have our meeting at Cafe du Soleil, which was so fun. After checking in and sharing some nibbles, we decided to dive in and start writing.

For our writing exercises we collectively start with a prompt, and it’s always so interesting to see how varied the pieces are that come from one or two simple words. Here are a few of mine from tonight.

(Note: I’m going to fight the urge to edit these at all. We only get about 10 minutes for each, so I’m going to post what I wrote in those 10 minutes.)

Prompt: “Missed”

The rain carved small rivers down the thin window pane. Past the drips and streams, the sky was a wash of piercing gray. Hard on my eyes, it was much easier to stare at the clever waterways and patterns in the foreground. I wondered if each of those droplets poured down anxious for its destination; determined on its journey: a solo dive, its only mission to soak. Knowing once it melds with another, their power together is greater than one. United they are a force to be reckoned with, and the more they join forces, the more unstoppable they become.

Breaking my daze, I hear a low thunder rumble. I let go of the intricate maps I’ve been memorizing on the window pane and take a sip of my tea.

The one thing I know for sure: you are missed.

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Prompt: “Merlot”

I couldn’t quite describe the color of her hair. Burgandy… maybe Merlot? Definitely flecks of Cabernet, and an attitude peppered with Zin.

When I first saw her, she casually sauntered up to our table. Her skirt too short; her boots worn with stories of walking away from countless men. Her confidence was palpable, but her smile disarming. Even though she was getting closer, she felt out of reach. Like a quick fox who senses their predator before they’re in sight.

She spoke with my friend and I just smiled… watching the tender creases around her eyes, and how she licked the side of her lips after she laughed.

Watching her walk away that first time was just as painful as it was today. I should have known. A wild flower, needing space to grow; she wasn’t about to be tamed… no matter how delicate my intention.

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These last two are just short spurts. I couldn’t really find a flow in any of them, so I kept starting new within the short 10 minutes of time.

Prompt: “Stop Sign”

Defiant. Speeding down a one way street with reckless abandon, and not wanting to listen to anyone… even the DJ on the radio. I turn it off with a flick of my wrist and roll down my window, letting the air flood in; kicking up my hair, papers, dust and my thoughts.

Jetting through stop signs with barely a care, I feel like nothing can stop me. It’s quiet on the streets and I’m the only one alive. No one can get in my way. I can drive forever. I am free.

:::

STOP! She screamed, startling me from mid-sentence about my stupid boss and how many dumb reports I had to deliver today. STOP, STOP, STOP! Repeated so fast it might as well be one word.

Slamming on the breaks, before I even knew what I was stopping for, I brace my hands tight on the steering wheel and watch her hands on the dashboard doing the same.

:::

I took a new bus today. One I hadn’t taken before. To see new people. New smells. New storefronts to rumble by, anonymously. I didn’t know how long I was going to stay on the one bus, or even where it would eventually end up. I didn’t care what time it was or how I was going to get home.

On a stop called “Birch” a large man waddled on. The sides of his jacket squeezing through the entryway, and his feet shuffling on the wet, sticky floor; his shiny new scarf in contrast to his worn elbows and patched glasses. I was curious as to where he was coming from and where he was going. Maybe he was riding that bus for the first time, too.

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Prompt: “Green”

Lucious lemons
squeezed passionately flat

Seeds strewn about
and the sound of clinking glass

A flippant wind threatens
the forest green canopy’s resilience
leaving faster than it arrived

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The teen writers I’ve worked with in Bamboozled are amazing. Working with them gives me hope for our future! I highly recommend clicking around the site & reading a few of their pieces. Here are a few to get you started:

• What is sex? by Mia
• Limbo by Lucy
• Flat by Alex
• Ode to a Rainy Day by Cassandra

Here are two more pieces I’ve published from BAM writing exercise:

• ride of my life
• monkey sex