For those wishing to ‘tone’ their creative muscles, simply spend 5 minutes on each prompt. For those ‘bulking up’, spend an additional 5 minutes writing or follow the specific instructions with each prompt.

For those wishing to visualize their imagination with an artist’s touch, please follow the Art Tips or feel free to sketch/draw/paint/collage whatever inspires you. And for those with a musical touch, follow the Music Tip in order to bridge your love of music to each imagicise.

* For further directions on ‘Imagicise’ click here.

WHAT IS LOVE?

• Day 1: Ditto

  In the 1990 film Ghost, Patrick Swayze isn’t able to tell Demi Moore he loves her until he takes a trip to the afterlife. While alive he uttered “ditto” in place of “I love you.” Fill up a page with “I love you” alternatives. Examples could include, “of course,” “I emotionally desire you,” “a round of love on me,” and “high five.” For those bulking up, choose three sayings, and for each one describe the kind of person you envision saying it.

  ART TIP: Draw a 3 to 5 panel comic strip with dialogue involving the alternative sayings.

  MUSIC TIP: How many songs with “I love you” in the lyrics can you find or remember? Substitute “I love you” with your alternative sayings and see how it changes the dynamic. 

Day 2: Peculiar Proposals

Before you begin, please erase your gender and become androgynous. Now imagine you are going to propose marriage to the love of your life. Describe the ideal proposal if you and your soon-to-be fiance were…

Choose Two:

• toddlers

• giant pandas

• aliens

• (create your own)

For those bulking up, choose a 3rd proposal, but write about it from the perspective of being on the receiving end.

• Day 3: Cupid’s Arsenal

  Following an accidental shooting involving a rooster, a lion and a retired librarian, the Guardians of Magic have decreed Cupid is no longer permitted to sling his arrows. Brainstorm new ways Cupid can bring forth love into the world. For example, paper airplanes filled with pixie dust, e-mails, grenades, or a laser pointer. For those bulking up, sketch out a trial and error story where Cupid tests out the new methods.

  ART TIP: Create an image of cupid sparking love using one of the new methods.

  MUSIC TIP: Choose 10 songs from Cupid’s personal playlist while on the job.

   

• Day 4: And then?

  We’ve all heard, seen or smelled the classic “boy meets girl” story. It’s time to play cupid and spontaneously write one of our own. Beginning with “Boy meets girl,” complete the story/fill in the page with similar short phrases or “noun verb noun” clauses. Find the courage to be as romantic, morbid, or silly as you desire. Just let the random thoughts pour. An example of what may transpire could look like this: “Boy meets girl. Boy greets girl. Girl kicks boy. Boy dies. Ghost haunts girl. Girl kicks ghost. Girl falls down. Girl dies. Ghost meets ghost. Ghost loves ghost. The end.” For those bulking up, write a 1 page script of dialogue for the characters in your boy meets girl story. 

  ART TIP: Sketch a caricature of one of the characters from your original boy meets girl story.

  MUSIC TIP: Hum a tune to the phrases from your boy meets girl story and create an original song.

   

• Day 5: Honeymoon From Hell

  Perhaps you’ve envisioned your dream honeymoon. For example, a hammock sways between two leaning palm trees. Well it’s time to stop dreaming. Instead, brainstorm the possibilities of a honeymoon from hell. For example, that hammock is still swaying but it’s attached to giant hair follicles, as you’re vacationing on a giant troll’s buttocks. For those bulking up, create a full itinerary for your hellish newlywed vacation.

  ART TIP: Sketch a billboard advertising a honeymoon from hell.

  MUSIC TIP: Choose or compose a selection of songs a hotel from hell may play in the lobby.

For those wishing to ‘tone’ their creative muscles, simply spend 5 minutes on each prompt. For those ‘bulking up’, spend an additional 5 minutes writing or follow the specific instructions with each prompt.

For those wishing to visualize their imagination with an artist’s touch, please follow the Art Tips or feel free to sketch/draw/paint/collage whatever inspires you. And for those with a musical touch, follow the Music Tip in order to bridge your love of music to each imagicise.

* For further directions on ‘Imagicise’ click here.

SUMMER SOULSTICE

• Day 1: Imaginary Pool Party

  Divide your page into four sections by placing lines down and across the middle. You’ve just built a massive pool in your backyard, and to commemorate the water filled hole, you’re throwing a pool party. Label each one of the 4 columns accordingly: Wild Ones (animals, pets), Famous Folk (celebrities, historical figures, dead or alive), Make Believe (fictional characters from literature, movies, TV, comics), and Familiar Faces (family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and strangers). For each column quickly list possible guests to invite. For those bulking up imagine a possible fiasco by mixing such a diverse crowd. Write about one such incident.

  ART TIP: Visualize a moment from the party including one guest from each list.

  MUSIC TIP: Select or compose some tunes for the party soundtrack.

• Day 2: Summer Grossout

  Since you were old enough to flip a burger, you’ve been hosting an annual cookout. Your guests have been feasting themselves, but you’ve had enough. Instead of canceling the party, you’ve decided it’s better to go out in disgusting glory, so that no one will ever want to attend your cookout again. Devise a menu that will leave an undesirable lasting impression on your guests. What non-cookout friendly foods will you serve? Chips & Gerber Dip, cat food salad, raw rabbit, and stale fruitcake are some vomit-inducing examples.

  ART TIP: Visualize a a table filled with summer grossout fare.

  MUSIC TIP: Make a playlist of the worst possible summer cookout music.

  
  

• Day 3: Snow in Summer

  Where do snowmen go in the summer? Brainstorm the possibilities or elaborate on a specific story. For example, you could write about how snowmen hibernate by shrinking down to a miniscule snowflake and sleep in your freezer. When the freezer becomes ful of ice, that’s a snowman waking up, and when you’re out shoveling snow, he sneaks out. 

  ART TIP: Visualize a snowman adjusting to/escaping/enjoying summer.

  MUSIC TIP: What kind of music or particular song(s) would a snowman hibernate too?

  
  

• Day 4: Camp Bizarro

  School is out for summer, and for some children, camp is in. But what if summer camp wasn’t located in the great outdoors or a school campus. Forget logic, morals, and safety while brainstorming new exciting and/or weird locations. For example, a junkyard, Antarctica, Wal-Mart, and a casino. For those bulking up, choose 2 locations and create sample schedules including all of the activities and meals for the day. 

  ART TIP: Visualize kids enjoying (not enjoying) one of the activities. 

  MUSIC TIP: What is the “Camp Song” for each camp?

  
  

• Day 5: Amazing Race

  Despite the sweltering heat, summer is the season of charity races. In some areas, there’s a different 5K every night. But what if running isn’t your forte? The time has come for creative alternatives. For example, in Buffalo, NY participants adorn 3 inch plus heels for .5 kilometers the annual Stiletto Run to benefit the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. Come up with a slew of alternative “races.” For instance, a 1 Mile Moonwalk to benefit a kids space camp where participants slide backwards to Michael Jackson tunes. Or how about a Pogo Gogo, a lawnmower race across a vast field, or a Paintathon in a rundown neighborhood. 

  ART TIP: Visualize the starting or finishing line for one of the races. 

  MUSIC TIP: Choose the song for each race.

For those wishing to ‘tone’ their creative muscles, simply spend 5 minutes on each prompt. For those ‘bulking up’, spend an additional 5 minutes writing or follow the specific instructions with each prompt.

* For further directions on ‘Imagicise’ click here.

AMUSEMENT MADNESS

• Day 1: Coaster Alphabet

  Turn your paper/journal over horizontally. Write the alphabet from A to Z in a roller coaster / hilly layout across the page. (See example below) Use each letter as the start for a roller coaster worthy name. Make sure to be original. For instance, stray away from Cyclone for C or Big Dipper for B. But remember, there are coasters for all ages, so each name does not need to envoke terror. Feel free to take it in any direction you desire. “Bob the Ride” could be a hit with little kids. When all the names are written it will look like a roller coaster. Example names include Amphibitor, Badlands Bruiser, Candy Kane Train, and Dungeon Dweller. For those bulking up, choose one of the names. Imagine this coaster was built. What does it look like? What are some of the features? What type of person will enjoy it?

  

• Day 2: Crazy-Go-Round

  Merry-go-rounds traditionally spin a stable of horses in a circle. But many carousels have been themed to feature anything from a menagerie of endangered species to Dr. Seuss characters, and even the Flintstones. If you were going to take a ride on a carousel, what theme would you like it to have? Brainstorm a slew of ideas. Examples could include: insects, automobiles, mythological creatures, or even space age robotic horses. For those bulking up, choose one of the themes, and describe each individual “horse.”

• Day 3: Enough Stuff

  Stuffed animals have officially been designated an endangered species. Consequently, amusement parks and carnivals are tasked with coming up with alternate prizes for their games of chance. Create a list of possible prizes. Be both realistic and creative. What would you like to win? Examples include: hula hoops, collectable coins, currency from all over the world, and especially calendars featuring 80 year old models.

• Day 4: Perfect Day

  Not everyone has the patience for lines, or the stomach for consecutive inversions. But most amusement parks have something for everyone. Imagine their was a park built specifically for you. Describe the perfect day at your ideal park. What will you ride, eat, see, and play? Be as adventurous or sedate as you desire. For those bulking up, imagine the perfect day for a close friend, family member, or a fictional character.

• Day 5: Golden Years Theme Park

  Theme parks like Disneyland were meant to be enjoyed by all ages. However, the hustle and bustle may be too much for elderly citizens. Envision a theme park specifically built for golden girls and boys. Describe this park. What’s it called? Where is it located? What are the differences and similarities from other parks. 

For those wishing to ‘tone’ their creative muscles, simply spend 5 minutes on each prompt. For those ‘bulking up’, spend an additional 5 minutes writing or follow the specific instructions with each prompt.

* For further directions on ‘Imagicise’ click here.

SAYING GOODBYE – TILL DEATH DO US WRITE

• Day 1: Magic Appliances

  A magic wand is the vessel of a wizard’s magic. What if other people or tradesmen were capable of enchantment. What would their device be? For example, would a chef have a magic spatula, and whatever it mixes will turn to pure gold. In addition, a protective housewife has a mystical washing machine, where every article of clothing blessed by its spellbinding cycles, will become protective garments making those who wear them free from harm. Think of an army of magical devices, listing as many as you can. For those bulking up, choose 5 of the items and describe their powers.

• Day 2: Snow White & the 101 Dwarves

  Despite how it may not seem so politically correct, dwarf obsession has swept the nation. To cash in on the trend, a movie studio has commissioned a film involving not seven, but hundreds of dwarves. You’ve been hired to create this new hoard of iconic dwarves. For 5-10 minutes, make a list of names with their personality traits. For example: Slick – Easily maneuvers out of harm, decisive, with a pinch of sneaky. For those bulking up, select your favorite seven from the list. How will they play off of each other, why did you choose these seven?

• Day 3: Troll Protection Agency

  According to legend, trolls are known to guard bridges, demanding a toll for passage, or worse they consume weary travelers. Unfortunately for the trolls, there’s not enough bridges to go around. Imagine other places and things trolls may guard or inhabit. First make a vertical ist of places, leaving a blank space next to each one. Example places could include: cookie jar, glove compartment, or a dressing room. Next, decide what the troll will demand for its use or passage. Example demands could include: a tooth, tire rubber, or a hug. Try to come up with good-hearted, evil, and multi-faceted trolls. For those bulking up, choose three from your list, and give each troll a name. Describe their appearance. Now choose one of them and create their origin story, explaining how they got to that place and what kept them there.

• Day 4: Unlikely Heirarchy

  Fairy tales are rife with stories of kings and queens and how their next of kin are meant to succeed them. What if succession of power wasn’t based on bloodlines? Come up with as many alternate ways to determine the next in line for a royal promotion. For example: Whoever… has the longest hair, wins the spelling bee, has the fewest teeth, owns the most cat, or procures the smelliest farts. For those bulking up, choose one of the modes of succession. Now imagine a youngster who dreams of being King or Queen. What is their name, describe their trials and tribulations towards the throne.

• Day 5: Typewriter, Typewriter on the Desk

  In the story of Snow White, the evil queen consults a magic mirror to discover who is the most beautiful in the kingdom. Think of other items someone could consult. List them, add what must be said, and also what will be told. You don’t have to adhere to the “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all” formula. For example, a writer saying “typewriter, typewriter on the desk, who’s the most poetic of them all?” To clarify, you could write about a little girl who wants the whitest teeth says to her toothbrush “Dear little brush for my teeth, you were so white, but now you are weakened, thank you for your might to help my teeth shine bright, now tell me please if you may, are my teeth still sparkling white?” For those bulking up, if one of the ideas sends your creativity off to a place far far away, follow it wherever it goes and you may have an original fairy tale to tell!

  
  

For those wishing to ‘tone’ their creative muscles, simply spend 5 minutes on each prompt. For those ‘bulking up’, spend an additional 5 minutes writing or follow the specific instructions with each prompt.

* For further directions on ‘Imagicise’ click here.

SAYING GOODBYE – TILL DEATH DO US WRITE

• Day 1: Human Habitat

  A world renowned zoo has decided to add a human habitat. You’ve been hired as the chief designer. You’re responsible for a main enclosure and four individual unisex indoor spaces. Describe your plans and explain the rationale behind your design.

• Day 2: Speed Mating

  Quickly write down 8 animal species. It’s time to imagine that these animals will be participating in a animal version of speed dating. Using the 8 animals you listed, make 4 pairs. For each pair write a 2 minute dialogue on what each animal may say during their brief “date” session. This is a great exercise for those wishing to hone their dialogue writing skills.

• Day 3: Name that Zoo

  A benefactor in your city has decided to open a new zoo. Though the city already has a zoo, and an original name must be devised for the new zoological park. Create a list of possible names. Examples: Wildlife World, Magical Menagerie, Animal Gardens. For those bulking up, select five of the names and write slogans for each one.

• Day 4: Fantastical Menagerie

  You’re the curator of a magical zoo. It’s full of extinct, mythical, and just plain weird animals. What animals will be in your collection? Feel free to experiment and mix and match different animals. Example could include: dodo birds; unicorns; Blue Flamingo, a pink flamingo injected with blue poison dart frogs to give it blue feathers; Horny Hippos, a hippopotamus with rhinoceros horns. For those bulking up, describe the enclosures for three of the animals.

• Day 5: Escape Plan

  List three of your favorite animals. Now select one of them. Pretend that you are a member of this species and  currently reside in a zoo. However, the zookeeper forget to lock the cage door. You’ve escaped. Where will you go, what will you do? For those bulking up, devise another ‘escape plan’ for another animal species.

  
  

For those wishing to ‘tone’ their creative muscles, simply spend 5 minutes on each prompt. For those ‘bulking up’, spend an additional 5 minutes writing or follow the specific instructions with each prompt.

* For further directions on ‘Imagicise’ click here.

SAYING GOODBYE – TILL DEATH DO US WRITE

• Day 1: Bon Voice Mail

  List five people from your life, that you cherish. Consider the possibility that you will never see them again, and your message on their voicemail is the last thing they will hear before their untimely demise. What do you wish you would have said. Please keep in mind you can’t tip them off about their impending doom. Write the message for each of the five people. As a bonus, if the situation was reverse, what do you wish each of the five had said in their final voice mails.

• Day 2: Original Goodbye

  It’s fun (depending on who you are) to break down words and to guess their origins. Farewell probably came from “fair/do well,” while “take care” is the shortened form of “take care of yourself.” Now pretend you are a government endorsed linguist and it’s your time to shine some new light on everyday expressions. Consequently, create a slew of new words or phrases for goodbye. They can be completely original, based on other languages, inside jokes, or abbreviated forms of existing words or phrases. For example, “break it” could be used as an abbreviated form of “go break a leg.” This is a difficult imagicise for some, and you not know where to begin. To aid the process, think of a variety of characters or personalities and imagine if they had their own way of saying goodbye what would it be? For instance, a irate taxi drive won’t say “farewell.” What would a high strung hair stylist, or a retired mob boss say? Here is a sampling of the possibilities: dayo, boodles, to infinity, until dinner, funbe.

• Day 3: Reverse Pirating

  List your 5 most prized possessions. The bad news is, the time has come to tell them “bon voyage.” The good news is, you get to choose their next destination and owner. For example, who gets your diamond ring, the Xbox 360, and your Adam West autographed batman cape. However, you can not choose family or close friends. Where and/or who do you choose, and why?

• Day 4: Putting the Fun in Funeral

  This may be difficult for some and enjoyable for others. You’ve been warned. You’re in the funeral business, but the business side is taking a turn for the worst due to stiff competition from Wal-Mart opening its own funeral parlor. It’s up to you to save the day by coming up with unique and innovative ways to say goodbye to a loved one. Be sure to think outside the coffin box. For example, perhaps the corpse is given a ride on a roller coaster that soars underground staying buried. Maybe, the funeral parlor can relocate to a beachside location and offer viking funerals where the recently deceased is cremated in custom built boats set aflame and sent out to sea. Death is a touchy subject, but as a writer you’ll have to deal with it from all angles, so practice escaping your preconceived notions, and feelings on death.

• Day 5: Fictional Tombstones

  Make a T-Chart (self-explanatory) with a left and right column. In the left column, for 1-2 minutes, list your favorite fictional characters from cartoons, movies, comics, and/or literature. In the right column, for 1-2 minutes, list fictional villains you despise. Now choose 3 to 5 favorites in the left column and 3-5 of your least favorites from the right column. Next, for each one, pen the words that should appear on their tombstone. Optional: Compare and contrast the tombstones from the left and right columns. Were you bias, or were you able to remain objective and pen beautiful words for both columns?

  
  

For those wishing to ‘tone’ their creative muscles, simply spend 5 minutes on each prompt. For those ‘bulking up’, spend an additional 5 minutes writing or follow the specific instructions with each prompt.

* For further directions on ‘Imagicise’ click here.

YUCK!

• Day 1: Gross Thesaurus

  List as many synonyms for gross as you think of. Examples include eww, disgusting, nasty, yuck, and icky. Brainstorm for a minimum of five minutes. Next, spend five additional minutes inventing your own words for “gross.” For instance: bugly, toejamish, “oh litter,” GWB, and budget.

• Day 2: Smelly House

  An amusement park is developing a new twist on the classic haunted house. Introducing the “Smelly House,” a haunted house exclusively for your olfactory senses. Plan out the “scary features” of this attraction by listing the nastiest, most vile smells on earth. Make sure to continue listing for 5 minutes. For those who wish continue, list a plethora of a wonderful smells for a “Tunnel of Love: Aroma Therapy” ride.

• Day 3: Horrid Hybrids: Barely Edible Combinations

  If, “Beauty is in the eye of the holder,” than “deliciousness is in the eye of the eater.” In your lifetime, you’ve surely come across some less than flattering dishes. Now is your chance to become a master chef. Devise a menu full of the most hurl inducing items. Let your creativity flow, combine whatever your stomach doesn’t desire. Feel free to add combinations from a celery smoothie to a kitty litter corn dog.

• Day 4: Fart Flavors

  You are the acting CEO of the Bottled Farts Inc. and it’s up to you save the company from losing out on major sales to still competition. Brainstorm ideas on new fart fragrances and their catchy names. Examples include: Mountain Ewww, Sweet Southern Belch, and Dr. Gasser. If you have extra time, choose one of the ideas and write a slogan and/or a 30 second radio advertisement.

• Day 5: Icky Names

  Have you ever kissed a girl named Mildred Backwater, or hugged a man named Fungus Ficklebrew. There’s a reason for that. It’s the same reason you’ve never checked into the Stenchtrap Hotel. The names alone are vile enough to keep a parade length distance. It’s your turn to create the yuckiest of names and titles. Brainstorm names for people, schools, stores, cities, countries and whatever else is on your mind.

For those wishing to ‘tone’ their creative muscles, simply spend 5 minutes on each prompt. For those ‘bulking up’, spend an additional 5 minutes writing or follow the specific instructions with each prompt.

* For further directions on ‘Imagicise’ click here.

PLANTIFUL

• Day 1: Odd Origins

  Plants grow all over the earth. Some in soil, some in sand, some in water, while others can even grow in the air. Life can originate anywhere as 2pac once wrote about “the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete.” Think of unusual places plants could grow. Examples: a couch, a nostril, a little girl’s head, a car, a stinky shoe, a bowling ball’s finger holes. (5 mins) Choose one of the images and start a story on the origin of that plant and its adventure. (5 mins)

• Day 2: Fantasy Garden

  Fruits and vegetables grow on plants and trees, but money doesn’t. Well in your fantasy garden, you can grow ANYTHING. What would you grow? Examples: money, tea bags, tooth brushes, bikinis, and groovy mustaches. Now imagine you are 7 years old, what things would you want to grow? Examples: yoyos, ice cream sandwiches, baseball cards, barbie underwear. Bonus: Compare the differences between the lists. Why have your tastes and needs changed… consider treating yourself to something from the 7 year old’s fantasy garden.

• Day 3: People Plants

  Create new species of plants/trees/bushes based on people you know (celebrities and fictitious people are ok too). Incorporate their name. appearance, and personality into a plant. Describe these new plants. Example: Valerie Mint Trap- Valerie loves mints. Leafs like lips open up hoping to snatch a mint, just like a venus fly trap.

• Day 4:  A World Without Green

  All the plants and trees on earth vanish. Describe the immediate effects from any perspective or location.

  Click here for more Vanishing style imagicises.

• Day 5: Cactus People

  What if there was a race/ethnicity of humans with cactus like skin and features. Pretend you’re researching the lifestyle and customs of a native population of “cactus people” for National Geographic. What do you observe? Where do they live? What is their diet? What is there daily life consist of? Comment on how they would fit into modern society. What advantages/disadvantages do they have? 

  
  

This week’s installment of ‘imagicises’ will continue to help you get into tip top writing shape while exploring the tradition of Groundhog Day as well as the 1993 motion picture of the same name starring Bill Murray.

For those wishing to ‘tone’ their creative muscles, simply spend 5 minutes on each prompt. For those ‘bulking up’, spend an additional 5 minutes writing or follow the specific instructions with each prompt.

* For further directions on ‘Imagicise’ click here.

GROUNDHOG DAY

• Day 1: Punxsutawney Phil & Friends

  City officials have caught on to the success of having their own weatherhog. Though each city needs to come up with a name. Brainstorm names for possible groundhogs. First write a town/city name, from anywhere in the world including fictional cities, and then add a personal name to it. Alliteration is not essential, but definitely focus on the rhythm of the name. Make sure it takes on a personality of its own. Possible creations could include, Miami Miguel, Tonawanda Tiny, The Buffalo Burrower, and Gotham Gabe.

• Day 2: Animalistic Holidays

  Groundhog Day is founded by the simple premise that if an animal sees its shadow it will mean 6 more weeks of winter. Brainstorm new traditions based on animals. For example, the number of kittens born to an honorary cat will correlate with how many months of beautiful weather people will enjoy. For a college football town, the first treat a zebra eats could predict what bowl game the team will participate in. Or a town could promote innocence and childhood and encourage senior citizens to visit local parks for free pony rides. They could call the rides, “The Jubilant Juvenile Journey.”

• Day 3: Wildlife Opinion

  How do the other creatures of the earth feel about the groundhog’s annual 10 minutes of fame? Brainstorm a list of animals and for each one provide their opinion on the groundhog. For example, a bear could think, “Why would I wake up early for that?” and a chipmunk might say, “Why him? I’m cuter!” This exercise is helpful when naturally learning how to craft original voices for your characters. Dig deep into the soul of each critter.

• Day 4:  Groundhog Day Starring You

  Groundhog Day is a 1993 comedy directed by Harold Ramis. The film stars Bill Murray whose character for no apparent reason continues to relive February 2nd, Groundhog Day. In essence, when he wakes up at 6am, it’s always the same exact day, though Murray retains his memory of the previous day(s). If you were the star of Groundhog Day… what things what you do? For example Murray’s character learns to play the piano, takes up ice sculpting, figures out how to rob a money truck, and learns information about local women in order to seduce them.

• Day 5: Your Day of Repetition

  Bill Murray’s character comments how he’s upset that he has to relive a day in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania in the middle of winter. If you could have any day be your Groundhog Day, which would it be. Where is it? Why? For example… on the day of your surprise birthday, your wedding day, or a sunny day in Bali.

   

This week’s installment of ‘imagicises’ will continue to help you get into tip top writing shape while going ‘where every man has gone before:’ Outer Space.

For those wishing to ‘tone’ their creative muscles, simply spend 5 minutes on each prompt. For those ‘bulking up’, spend an additional 5 minutes writing or follow the specific instructions with each prompt.

* For further directions on ‘Imagicise’ click here.

EDIBLES

• Day 1: TO EAT YOUR OWN – this year you’re cooking the thanksgiving feast, there’s only one catch, you and your guests are cannibals. So what’s on the menu? This is good practice for imaginators in getting past ‘yucky’ topics and seeing them from the perspectives of their ’eccentric’ characters. If you can, dive deep and create a plethora of inventive dishes out human anatomy or embrace wordplay. Howabout a ‘hand shake’ for dessert?

• Day 2: Human Herbivores – What if humans were strictly vegetarians? How would the world as we know it change? Please examine the consequences and how life as know it would have developed differently. Feel free to simply brainstorm a list, dive deeply into a couple of scenarios, or continue on a cause and effect roller coaster. One example scenario could be the domestication of pigs, since humans don’t eat meat, they probably wouldn’t have bothered to keep pigs, and as such “Charlotte’s Web” would have never been penned, and kids would not call each other ‘pigs.’

• Day 3: Culinary Creator – I’ll never forget weird al munching through a ‘twinkie weiner sandwich’ in the movie UHF. While it looked gross, the name itself was deliciously cute! Use your working knowledge of foods from around the globe and create a list of new foods by combining words. Think visually or phonetically/rhythmically instead of focusing on how the dish will actually taste. Also don’t limit yourself to only edible items. ’crunchy cereal salad,’ ’Roasted chewing gum’ and ‘Ham and Sneeze Sandwich,’ all make the menu. For those bulking up, choose one of the foods and write a step by step recipe for it.

• Day 4: PERSONIFIED FOOD PROFILES - Writers need to know their characters so much that they could fill out an annoyingly long survey about them. Choose any edible item and complete a ‘character Profile’ for them. Feel free to create your own questions or borrow any existing personal survey/character profile available online. For those bulking up do a minimum of two profiles, one for a food you enjoy and one you find disgusting.

• Day 5: Best/Worst Food Fight Weapons - An edible war is upon us, and you must prepare for battle. Create a T-Chart (two columns). On the left side list the best possible ‘weapons’ in a food fight, and on the right side list the worst foods to use. For example a scoop of ice cream would soar through the air and smack your enemy in the face slowly dripping down their face, but a handful of frosted flakes wouldn’t make it five feet. Also try to think globally and certainly don’t feel guilty about those starving or harming anyone because in make-believe, it’s all fun and games and no one can lose an eye! Consider this battle a life or death dituation and give it your creative all.

This week’s installment of ‘imagicises’ will continue to help you get into tip top writing shape while going ‘where every man has gone before:’ Outer Space.

For those wishing to ‘tone’ their creative muscles, simply spend 5 minutes on each prompt. For those ‘bulking up’, spend an additional 5 minutes writing or follow the specific instructions with each prompt.

* For further directions on ‘Imagicise’ click here.

OUTER SPACE

• Day 1: NAME THAT PLANET – You can count the number of planets with two hands, but thanks to imaginators george lucas and other science fiction writers, our vocabulary is filled with a vast array of planet names. The time has come for you to name the planets in your galaxy. This is a great way to notice trends in your style. Where does your brain look to for inspiration? Are there any particular sounds or themes that are often repeated? For those ‘bulking up,’ spend an additional 5 minutes describing one of the planets as if you’re writing it’s travel brochure.

• Day 2: ALIEN FAMILY RESTAURANT – What’s on the menu at a family Restaurant for aliens? Use ingrediants present on Earth, but don’t limit yourself to edibles. For instance, a used car salad with gas tank slices, rubber tire croutons, and dusty car seat morsels sprinkled with rust and marinated in unleaded fuel is worthy of the menu. Try not to limit yourself to ‘technologigcal’ or ‘scientific’ themes, allow your menu to branch into whatever realm your culinary creativity desires. For those ‘bulking up,’ spend an additional 5 minutes describing the restaurant with sensory details.

• Day 3: SPACESHIP REALITY – Imagine you are a cast member of a new reality tv show set on a spaceship. The intended audience should be the same as the audience you intend to write for (ex. children, adults, intelligent canines). Choose 5 (10 for those bulking up) spaceship mates, fictional or real, that will naturally create infinite storyline possibilities. Consider this imagicise as practice for assembling an ensemble cast of characters by learning how characters must play off one another or support the protagonist, which in this case is you.

• Day 4: TAKE ME TO YOUR DENTIST - Science fiction often portrays aliens landing on earth to destroy mankind. While this creates universal conflict, it’s also cliche. Let’s have some fun and create a list of reasons aliens may land on earth. For example, “they need to borrow some mayonaise,” “They want to study spanish,” “A young alien was punished for bad behavior and sent to earth,” or “they arrived for the sole purpose of telling earthlings to kindly keep the noise down.” For those ‘bulking up,’ choose one of the scenarios and spend an additional 5 minutes crafting the dialogue between the aliens and a group of earthlings.

• Day 5: Alien Google Trends - The google empire has invaded the outer limits. While daily google trends can range from sports, to celebrities and current events, imagine what would be the most searched for items on a galactic google.

According to Urban Dictionary, ‘seussy’ is an adjective characterized by or possessing qualities similar to the works of Dr. Seuss. Synonyms included strange, awkward, ridiculous, nonsensical, surreal, abstract, and unconventional.

For those wishing to ‘tone’ their creative muscles, simply spend 5 minutes on each prompt.

For those ‘bulking up’, spend an additional 5 minutes writing or follow the specific instructions with each prompt.

So finish your green eggs and ham and get writing so you’ll be ready when the cat in the hat comes back.

* For further directions on ‘Imagicise’ click here.

Seussy

• Day 1: I Will Only Eat Green Eggs and Ham– What if you exclusively dined on green eggs and ham? Write the dialogue as Sam attempts to convince you to eat other foods.

• Day 2: The Grinch Who Stole… – We all know what the Grinch stole, but try to imagine what other things he might try to steal. Create a list of traditions, customs, and/or feelings he could steal. For those ‘bulking up,’ spend an additional 5 minutes changing ‘stole’ in “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” to another verb. Examples include borrowed and unwrapped.

• Day 3: Not-So-Important – William Ellsworth Spaulding of Houghton Mifflin compiled a list of 348 words he felt were important for 1st graders to know and asked Seuss to trim the list down to 250. The result was the Cat in the Hat which used 236 of those words. Now imagine an editor has asked you to compile a list of words “not-so-important” words for 1st graders to know. For example: glucose, insolent, or horology. This will help you to reach pass your comfort zone and pull out academic, bizarre, or just plain odd words. While you may never use all of these words, many may prove useful in some works.

• Day 4: 50 Words – “Green Eggs and Ham” was born from a $50 bet with publisher Bennet Cerf that Seuss could not write a book using only 50 different words. In 5 minutes (or as long as it takes) quickly pen 50 words you would like to use for an easy reader/beginner book. For those ‘bulking up,’ spend the next 5 minutes beginning to write a book using those 50 words. While you don’t have to pen this tale, this list will show you some of your favorite words, as well as point out possible “crutch” words you need to avoid. In addition, any list, no matter how random, could be a launchpad for new ideas.

• Day 5: If I Ran the Amusement Park – In ‘If I Ran the Zoo,’ a young boy lets his imagination out of its cage as he describes a humorously odd assortment of animals. In the style of ‘If I Ran the Zoo,” create a list of crazy-named amusement park rides, attractions, shows, games, and food. For those ‘bulking up,’ spend an additional 5 minutes poetically turning each item into a narrative text.

While we may not see them, monsters are everywhere. Especially within the minds of young readers. Stories will never tire of featuring scary, hairy, and gassy creatures. Instead of simply envisioning a ghastly beast, we need to dive deep into its personality, desires, and pet peeves. Developing a complex cast of monsters is the ticket to a publishable story children and adults alike can hide under their pillows from.

For those wishing to ‘tone’ their creative muscles, simply spend 5 minutes penning a list of words associated with each theme. Be funny, be scary, be whatever you wish. Just write!

For those ‘bulking up’, spend an additional 5 minutes devoted to the beginning of a story dealing with a monster who embodies one of the characteristics in your list. Don’t worry about spelling/grammar as this is just to get you over your fear of starting a story.

Slap on that sweatband, stretch your creative muscles and have a go at these ‘monstrous’ prompts.

* For further directions on ‘Imagicise’ click here.

Monster Lists

• Day 1: Allergies - Even monsters can get sick. Make a list of things monsters may be allergic to.

• Day 2: Hiding Spots – Besides under the bed and a closet, if monsters were playing ‘hide-n-go-seek’ where they wish to hide? List successful or problematic places.

• Day 3: Pet Peeves – What really gets under the furry or scaley skin of a monster? Make a list of possible monster pet peeves.

• Day 4: Monster TV -  What if monsters had their own cable network. Make a list of programs or specials on a channel for monster viewers.

• Day 5: Monster Names - What if you were a scientist who discovered a new species of monster, or a young kid who befriended one? Make a list of monster species names or personal names for monstrous creatures.

As creators, we need to constantly twist and turn our plots leaving visitors to our world guessing yet pleasantly surprised. Much like a punchline, a plot turn needs to be within the realm of possibility but also unexpected. By considering all of the short and longterm outcomes from say ‘toilets’ or ‘human hair’ disappearing, you will develop your subconscious ability to create more avenues and alleyways for your plots to drive down.

Having tried a few of these ’imagiceses’ on both American and Japanese students, the results are astonishing. While many struggle to think abstractly, a few students tap into their imaginations and deliver hilarious yet thought provoking situations.

Down a glass of H2O, flex your creative muscles and have a go at these ‘disappearing’ prompts.

* For further directions on ‘Imagicise’ click here.

The Vanishing

• Day 1: Toilets - What if every toilet in the world vanished?

• Day 2: Human Hair – What if all human hair (head/body) vanished?

• Day 3: Guns – What if all the guns in the world vanished?

• Day 4: Mike -  What if everyone named Mike vanished?

• Day 5: Writing Utensils – What if every pen/pencil vanished?

WRITE NOW!

Then check out the example below!

Crave’s Example:

Not all dungeons are dark and dingy, scary and stingy. Some are quite pretty! Well, at least one was. Oh yes, it’s true, it’s quite true. There was once a girl, she wasn’t a princess, yet she wasn’t that poor. She was an heir you see, but she was one of nine. So when the time had come for her elders to say goodbye, her and her eight brothers and sisters were given their piece of the castle pie. The first got the gold, the second the horses, the third the navy, the fourth the food, the fifth the jester, the sixth a wardrobe of exotic dresses and gowns, the seventh received lands in vast countries, the eighth was given the castle grounds, but what was left for the little girl. Well, the dungeon! “Oh my!” she said as she toured the moping, crying, and ghastly grounds. We need to spice this up! And indeed she did. But in fact, she made the dungeon so cute, that it was even more torturous than before for those who entered. [ 5 mins, 179 words]

WRITE NOW!

Then check out the example below!

Crave’s Example:

              There once was a bearded princess, and unhappy she was. It all began when she was just a little girl. One morning a hair appeared on her chin. She wanted it removed immediately, but a wise woman warned her. “For each hair you remove, two more will take its place.”

              So it began. For years, the princess snipped, cut, pulled, torched, waxed her facial hairs, and just as the wise woman promised, soon twins would sprout up. And now, the princess had a thick forest of folicles. There was nothing in the mortal world that could shave this beard, except of course for a magic razor. The wise woman had spoke about an ancient razor born out of love. Long ago, there was a maiden prized for her long locks of hair. Suitors from all across the land came to ask for her hand in marriage. But she knew they only loved her for her hair. Though she loved herself, and sought the aid of a wizard. He then gave her the magical razor, which she used to shave her head once and for all. The suitors left, but she was free to pursue life at her leisure. Though, no man would marry her. Still, she used her days to explore the vast lands, and journeyed days, months, and years to the farthest corners of the imagination. It is in the farthest point in the Hollow Caves of the North Sea, where she was finally laid to rest, alone but happy. It has been spoken, that the razor rests in these caves.

              So the bearded princess decreed that whomever obtains the magical razor will have her hand in marriage. Many men saddled up and went on the quest, though it was a dangerous trek and would take many years to reach the cave. However, there was one man. A local boy who grown up with the princess. He admired her, and loved her natural beauty. “Princess, I care not that you have a beard, I love you all the same, please marry me!”

              Though the princess too admired this man, she was unable to love herself as he did. So many years she waited in the castle, alone and unhappy. Then finally, one day a man had returned with the razor, though it was too late, she was an old woman and had died in her sleep, with the full beard in tact. [10 mins – 403 words]

WRITE NOW!

Then check out the example below!

Crave’s Example:

Once upon a time there was a man with no legs. His name was Emmett. One morning, Emmett went for a jog. In the afternoon, he stood in line at the post office. And in the evening, he performed stand-up comedy. It was easy for him, on account of his missing legs. Well, they weren’t exactly missing. He knew where they were. And so did the ghost. Quite a spell ago, a neighboring poltergeist had invited him to a poker game in the afterworld. Emmett wasn’t exactly a card shark, but he certainly knew his way around the table. This natural skill upset a rather feisty ghost who desired to take the game to a higher level. The cocky ghost challenged Emmett to a personal wager. Emmett didn’t have enough to challenge the ghost’s “all in” call, but having plenty of time to strategize in the after his death the ghost was one step ahead.

“Throw in your legs and we’re even,” said the ghost. Emmett looked at his cards and thought he stood an honest chance of winning with his straight flush. But, unbeknownst to him, royal blood flushed the ghost that day and he took the pot including Emmett’s legs.

“But how will I walk around?” asked Emmett.

“Here,” said the ghost as he handed him his legs. Those at the game though only the ghost walked away a winner. They were wrong. Both of them did. Perhaps that was what the ghost had in mind all along.

For the ghost may have stud at the card table, but in the world of haunting he was a dud. No matter how many hours he spent hiding, crawling, sneaking, and booing he just never seemed to frighten his designated hauntees. But when he got his human legs, that all changed. For you see, Emmet sported quite the lead feet. This had bothered him for some time. It made long walks feel like an epic adventure, and exercise, well that was certainly out of the question. But worst of all, was his shoes. For there wasn’t a shoe maker in town who offered a size 19 and ½. Luckily, for the ghost he felt no pain, and certainly didn’t mind the dirt, bugs, and scabs. Especially, when little children and adults aliked gasped at the sight of the approaching giant legs. It was haunting heaven for the ghost, for he never had to plan a spook again. He merely walked his way around town, filled his daily quote and then spent the evening snacking on cheese and crackers as he watched the boats come into the harbor.

As for Emmett, his dead legs were life savers. He could exercise and never once had to worry about the appearance of his shoe-less feet. Emmett learned a valuable lesson at that poker game. Even if you don’t play the right hand, you may get a better set of legs. [10mins – 487 words]

Gentlemen: Rapunzel   /   Ladies: Lancelot

WRITE NOW!

Then check out the example below!

Crave’s Example:

If my name was Rapunzel I’m sure at some point in my youth my parents would have payed someone to let me lie on their couch, and as an adult, medicare would be fronting the bill. I hope my street skills would have led me in the search of a nickname. Though that could be difficult. A play off of “Pun” comes to mind, but “Big Pun” and “The Punisher” are already taken. I’m not exactly a heavyset rap artist, and I certainly don’t know enough about comics to steal an iconic heroe’s name. Oh well…let’s see. What about “R-Rated,” while my potty mouth would get me through the door people would assume such a rating would include nudity, and I don’t want to have to have to perform community service. So all I can think of is, “RZ Cola” but I don’t what specifically constitutes me as being carbonated. Though my hyperactivity would vouge for the caffeine. So maybe I would just go for the old route of using my middle name. James it is! I often think about what it would be like to have a horrid nickname, so here are some “they can’t be good,” nicknames.

• Backup
• Why Not?
• The President of the United States of America
• Lord of the Turds
• Sir Smellypants
• Captain Jerkface
• USS Fatty McMuffin

I’m not too sure this list is cutting it. I wonder though how many lads named Rapunzel would actually grow their hair out. At least then there’s a reason for their name and they could play it off as a nickname. But then again I wonder how many would be drawn to “play for the other team.” I guess we’ll only know once people start naming their newborn baby boys Rapunzel. I’d like to start that movement, but I think it will be years before any woman lets me get anywhere close to being a father. [5mins – 324 words]