Writing Prompt and Rough Draft
An open mic style event for poets, writers and spoken word artists, with the focus on creating literary works based on prompts.
Original work welcomed as well!
When? 6-8 PM CST Last Tuesday of the month
Where? Zoom and Facebook
These events are recorded live and are available to stream on-demand on our SpoFest Poetry and Prose Facebook page.
Watch the Rough Draft and Writing Prompt events here!
There are three ways in which you can participate in the event: Writing Prompt, Rough Draft, or reading your original work.
Please carefully read the following before signing up to participate. Thank you!
1. Writing Prompt
* This is a written exercise which is to be completed before the start of the event.
You share (read out loud) your creative work during the event.
Writing prompts for our December 28th event.
A. anomie — reindeer — antiphonal
B. Mirror, Mirror: What if your mirror started talking to you? What might the mirror say?
Which writing prompt option inspires and motivates you to write? Choose one and get writing!
If you choose option A, your work must include, in some way, shape or form, the three words/phrases provided, and your work may be any genre or style of writing, fiction or nonfiction.
Whether you choose option A or B: 750 words or less (which equals five minutes reading time)
Writing prompt participants will be entered in our $10 Amazon e-gift card drawing which will be held at the end of the event.
You must be present if your name is drawn. Good luck!
2. Rough Draft
* This is a spoken exercise, not written.
How well can you spin the yarn? Get your improv on!!!
The Rough Draft exercise relies on you improvising your creative work without preparation. Telling a story on the fly. Make it serious or make it funny!
The host or co-host will provide you with a prompt chosen randomly from a list of prepared prompts.
You will have 10 seconds to gather your thoughts, think on how you want to begin telling your story, and then the timer begins!
You have up to three minutes to tell your story! When you hear the soft tone, your time is up. (You do not have to use all of your three minutes).
If you get stuck along the way, you can call out “help!” The host or co-hosts will attempt to help you get started again.
If you are unable to continue telling the story, you can end it by calling out “And the dragons ate them all!” (Thank you Cree Zadra!)
Who knows, you might like your story so much that you put it to paper, make a few edits, and publish it!!!
Rough Draft participants will be entered in our $10 Amazon e-gift card drawing which will be held at the end of the event.
You must be present if your name is drawn. Good luck!
3. Reading your original work
Writing Prompt and Rough Draft not your thing? No problem!
You can still participate in the event by reading your original work instead: poetry, prose, etc.
Event Guidelines
The order of reading is determined by the order of registration.
The host will introduce you. Tell us where you are from, and how you will be participating in each round.
Your three options:
Writing Prompt
Original work
Rough Draft
1st round: each participant gets up to 5 minutes to read unless they choose the rough draft option. You get up to 3 minutes if you choose the rough draft option.
2nd and succeeding round: each participant gets up to 3 minutes to read.
Any introductory/prefatory information is counted towards your time limit.
Estimate how long it takes to read out loud your work using this handy tool.
Read-O-Meter Tool
Make sure to show up on time if you have signed up to participate. Cancel your registration if you can’t make it.
For the best audio quality possible, we encourage readers to use a headset or lapel mic.
Find a quiet place to read.
Make sure Zoom is the only app running on your system during the event.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact the host.
Sign up to Participate!
Our events require that participants register with Zoom.
This is a security precaution to prevent Zoom bombings and other annoyances.
Provide your first and last name, your email address, and click on register.
You will receive a confirmation email which contains your join link for the event.
Keep this link in a safe place and do not share it with anyone.
Spread the spoken word!
Promote yourself, your work, and the work of your fellow writing colleagues!
Click GOING on our December 28th SpoFest Writing Prompt and Rough Draft FB event page!