The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age
    Michael Maiello's picture

    Writing Prompts For 2014

    When the political news of the day is about whether or not the governor of New Jersey caused a traffic jam to punish a political rival, I can finally tune out and think about the important stuff like art. I had a creatively productive 2013 but have decided to arm myself in advance this year, with some ammunition against short bouts of writer's block.  During 2013, I performed in two editions of The Lost & Found Show, a New York City based reading series and I would like to perform there again and also to have a piece read at The Liar's League.  Both shows publish themes in advance, if you want to submit work (at Lost & Found you performed your own piece, at Liar's League, they assign you an actor).  I'm going to share both sets of themes and deadlines with you.  They might inspire you to write and submit.

    I also stumbled upon a neat book that Natasha and I were given when we visited Barcelona in 2011.  It is a book of sketches by Nono Kadaver called Caretos (Mug Shots) and I have decided to carry it around with me, referring to various shots as inspiration for stories and characters. 

    One of them (Jaime is his name) looks like this:

     

    The book was given to us, along with other posters and drawings, when we wandered into the art gallery one evening.  I can't tell if this is because Europeans are civilized, welcoming people or if they know that just giving you a bunch of swag is the best way to hustle confused Americans out of your work space, but it was a gift and it will be used.

    My 2014 Prompts

    Lost & Found Show Themes

    February – Condoms (due January 15)
    March – Video Games (due February 15)
    April – Cameras (due March 15)
    May – Books (due April 15)
    June – Keys (due May 15)

    Liar’s League Themes (2014)

    Travel & Adventure (Deadline, Friday, 28th February)

    Rich & Poor (Deadline, Wednesday, 30th April)

    Analogue & Digital (Deadline, Monday, 30th June)

    Body & Mind (Deadline, Sunday 31st August)

    Hearth & Home (Deadline, Friday, 31st October)

    Caretos (Mugshots)

    Alejandro

    Joseph Alois

    Federico

    Josep-LLuis Agnes

    Anakin

    Agnes

    Scream

    Mosen

    Yumiko

    Karol

    Jetsun

    Osama

    Francisco Josef

    Jose Maria

    Jose Mari

    Silvio

    George W.

    Sheila & Bob

    Luis

    Jaime

    Pedro

    Rosa Elena

    Joaquin

    Juan Carlos

    Joschka

    Joan

    Barack

    Jose Luis

    Soraya

    Pasqual

    Pabo

    Slobodan

    Beodos/Drunkards

    Mahmud

    Fidel

    Willim Henry Antonio

    Michelangelo

    Candido

    Idiota

    Carme

    Camille

    Filomena

    Mariano

    Evo

    Zedong

    John Joseph

    Wesley

    Popeye

    Heinrich

    Ramiro

    Feng & Chin

    Vladimir

    Angel

    Christopher Frank

    Comments

    You're so organized!  I've tried writing prompts and... you know what the road to hell is paved with.

    I'm involved with another group that swears by prompts, so it's just me, I guess.

    But that's why you get things done and I don't.  I may be forced to try it again.  I do work best on deadline but I'm the pits at self-imposing them.

    (By the way, congrats again on the McSweeney's entry.  That's big stuff!)