by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
This time of year, between the chaos Christmas and celebration of New Year’s is a sort of no-man’s land for me. It’s a time to rest, reflect, and get ready for the year to come. I have good intentions of working during this time, but life—and laziness—seems to intrude.Today I’d like to offer a something fun to do.
This time of year, between the chaos Christmas and celebration of New Year’s is a sort of no-man’s land for me. It’s a time to rest, reflect, and get ready for the year to come. I have good intentions of working during this time, but life—and laziness—seems to intrude.Today I’d like to offer a something fun to do.
Join me in a Haiku Challenge.
The rules are simple.
- Follow the standard Haiku format
- 5 syllables
- 7 syllables
- 5 syllables
- Explore the subject of Why Do You Write?
- Post your Haiku (or more than one) in the comments section below along with your name.
- I’ll leave the contest open until midnight on Friday (EST) (and yes, there will be prizes).
Here are three I wrote, just to get you started:
Why I Write
A Life speeding by
Chaos buries me alive
Writing resurrects
A Life speeding by
Chaos buries me alive
Writing resurrects
Why I Write
Words flow from fingers
Images captured in ink
Black and white colors my world
Why I Write
God gave me a gift
Sharp words cut into my soul
Bloodletting brings peace
Stretch your writing muscles as we get ready for the new year. Oh, and just to entice you a little bit more, I’m going to draw a name from those who leave a Haiku in the comments section for a $15 Amazon gift card. This isn’t a contest for who writes the best one. It’s a drawing out of those who participate!
Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking to writers, entrepreneurs, or readers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Connect with her on her website, through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Conversation
Thoughts not written down
Fly to the wind and escape;
Catch them: change the world.
Here is my Christmas Haiku Challenge entry:
God gave me desire
to paint images with words
I can’t not do it
Stagnant water stinks,
Just like words held inside us.
Shared, they will give life.
Why I Write: Michele McCarthy
Years roll quickly by
A moment lives forever
Captured by my words
God called me to Him
His love and words compel me
His truth must be told
Why I write. Michele McCarthy
Years roll quickly by
A moment lives forever
Captured by my words
God called me to Him
His love and words compel me
His truth must be told
Why I write: Michele McCarthy
Years roll quickly by
A moment lives forever
Captured by my words
God called me to Him
His love and words compel me
His truth must be told
My wife is trying to post 2 poems but they do not show up
I like to create
Word pictures on my canvas
To bring people joy
Imagery filled thoughts
My hands begin to take over
Creating story to words.
Why write?
I’ve no other choice
Than to capture word pictures
Documentation
Why I Write
Share the love and joy
A gift from Heaven above
Christ to one and all
Why I Write in 3 Haiku
Stories pulse alive.
Ink on paper, I save them
lest they fade and die.
Writers bend boundaries.
Through assumed identities
we live others’ lives.
Story springs to life.
The writer cries, “Read my heart!”
The reader journeys.
Thanks, Edie! This was fun!
His love compels me
Sharing the depths of my soul
Hurts released in words
First Entry:
Writing is like apple pie.
It takes effort to make it edible,
But the joy it brings is incredible!
Second Entry:
Painting pictures with words brings me pleasure.
It doubles my delight
To share my treasure.
“Why I Write”
Honoring God first
I hope to please my Father
Maybe please you too
So much inside me
Trying to work it all out
Ink works when tongue fails
Inspiration strikes
Rapid words come falling out
Tumbling on paper
Joy – compelling joy!
I struggle to express it
Till my fingers tap the keys