Monday, May 3, 2021 Experiencing the World Through the Unexpected: Macro-Microscopic Lenses // Writing Prompt
As a way to archive the many writing prompts we use at the Just Buffalo Writing Center, we are going to more frequently post writing prompts created by young writers, teaching artists, and others.
This prompt takes inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Hans Christian Andersen’s Thumbelina. In particular, think about the scene in Alice in Wonderland when Alice shrinks and then grows very large. Notice her transformation of perspective, how she is forced to look at the world in a different way, abruptly!
Step One: Write a piece through the perspective of a hummingbird. Or any small organism (worm, grass, bee). Think about your organism’s sense of self. How do their movements and appearances reflect their identity? How do they use their senses? How do they interact with the environment?
Step Two: Write a piece through the perspective of a tree. Or any large organism (beanstalk, sunflower). Do these organisms form emotional attachments or do they merely see the world?
Step Three: Write a piece through the perspective of a pencil. Or any small inanimate object (a piece of paper, a toothbrush, an earring). Do these objects have a rich history or mythology? How do these objects feel at their birth, if there are any emotions to account for? How do these objects feel or react to being in human/supernatural hands?
Step Four: Now, write a piece through the perspective of a house. Or any large inanimate object (a skyscraper, a statue, an airplane). How do these objects react or regard human interactions?
PROMPT AUTHORS
Zanaya is a JBWC Youth Ambassador and graduate of City Honors School. She is attending the University at Buffalo as an International Studies major. She believes that writing is power, and hopes to yield her work to make the world more welcoming.
Emma is JBWC Youth Ambassador and a junior at Nardin Academy. She reads voraciously and spends time with her family. She wants to bring greater representation into the film and literary communities.