
One of my writing goals for 2012 is to get back to what I love doing most – like losing myself in the written word.
For me my passion for prose has always centred on creative writing. So the fact I scraped through last year performing the bare minimum of a task I use to treasure is about to be rectified (and eventually, I hope, in a big way!).
In order to do this, I’m finally linking up to a “Write On Wednesday’s” group where we receive a prompt and get to try our hand at being creative.
Its the perfect avenue for me to began flexing a forgotten muscle. And I hope that just like I worked hard to find my blogging voice in 2011, 2012 can be all about rediscovering my imagination.
On that note, I’ll dive on in to Exercise 1 for 2012 with the below picture as its prompt… (Drum roll please….!)
He strolled along the gritty grey sand, shoulders slouched and hands shoved deep into his pockets. With eyes downcast there was no opportunity for him to witness that the hue of the sky now matched the matter beneath his feet. Nor did he notice the hulk of ancient nature looming before him until he became face to base with this woody heirloom of ages gone by.
He had clearly been far too embroiled in the internal slanging match inside his head and the ensuing angst that then permeated his soul.
Yet the fact that he had almost managed to escape seeing such a sizeable chuck of fallen foliage made him pause. Could there be other items and issues, noticeable to the majority of the world, that were also be passing him by without his knowing?
Staring into its intricate web of gnarled and windy roots was like looking into an endless vortex. He had been so fixated on the thoughts that each jostled for his immediate attention that he almost missed a rare opportunity to simply ponder Mother Nature’s power.
With his shoulders now set in a relaxed line and his hand free to swing by his side, the seaside march continued; except this time he was both lighter of heart and pace. Because sometimes a moment spent immersed in wonder of nature has a way of making the seemingly significant suddenly insignificant.

I love this! Similar to where my thoughts were taking me, may have to rethink, lol.
Good for you on joining in with this. It’s a tough thing sharing creative writing in public. I’m psyching myself up to get involved at some stage! Love the piece and that picture is amazing!
Welcome to WoW! I really enjoyed reading this piece, and I loved that he was thinking to hard to simply let it all go and admire the tree.
What a great opening piece of writing for WoW – looking forward to reading more from you!
I love the realization in this piece. It makes one stop and wonder if we do miss things in our busy lives.
Let me join the others in saying.. welcome to WoW! That said, let me just say that was a wonderful story, I really like how the tree made him think of what else he was missing by not looking around him.
Welcome to Write on Wednesday. I enjoyed reading this piece, you described the man and his feelings well. It’s amazing how a tree can change things.
Wow, Donna, I try not to read any of the other WoW pieces before writing my own piece as I find it influences where I take the prompt. But you and I went with such a similar take with this photo anyway – isn’t that interesting? I see in your comments that Madmother also interpreted the prompt in a similar fashion. The way the character’s mind is reflected in the fallen tree, the way it gives him hope. I am so pleased you joined in with WoW – Welcome. You should be proud of yourself. Sharing creative writing is TOUGH. Welcome to Write on Wednesday, I look forward to reading more of your work and I’m quite honoured that WoW will be part of your writing goals in 2012. Yay!
Thank you so much for all your warm welcoming comments and lovely feedback – am going to love this little weekly writing jaunt!
“the hulk of ancient nature looming before him until he became face to base with this woody heirloom of ages gone by” – awesome!
Reading this piece makes me want to go outside and wander somewhere peaceful and leafy, and just contemplate.
donna, very nice writing.
thank you for stopping by my post, and commenting.. i look forward to reading more of your stories…
daphne