Writer Jacqui Millar wrote this poem, inspired by the neighbors who reside in the field next to us. She has kindly allowed us to share it with you here. Highland Cows- Moniack 2016 It is November and the year has turned. Coarse reed like grass prevails over a softer undergrowth,…
Writing Exercise 14 – A Note Discovered This month’s writing exercise is inspired by a note recently discovered in one of the rooms at Moniack Mhor, almost exactly a year after it was written. It said, ‘When you find me, smile and give Cashew a hug’ – for context, Cashew,…
Writing Exercise 13 – New Years Resolutions Write a short story or poem, or even just a passage of prose on the subject of new years resolutions, but here’s the catch – they can’t be the same as any of the resolutions you’ve made for yourself this year. Put yourself…
Writing Exercise 12 – Weather and Loss Choose a kind of weather, and then imagine something has been lost in it, or because of it. Maybe an object has been dropped in the snow, or long lost love letters have blown away in the wind, or maybe a boat has disappeared in a…
Writing Exercise 11 – Song Lyrics Choose your favourite song title or song lyric, or even part of a lyric will do – make sure it’s a line that really gets your imagination fired up. Then take the title or lyric and use it as the title for a poem or…
This week’s exercise comes from Alan Bissett, who will be tutoring two creative writing workshops in Inverness in January. He suggests this exercise as a warm up for a writing session or a quick way to get your brain firing off ideas. Writing Exercise 10 – Ten Minute Free Write…
This week’s exercise is a journal prompt that lends itself well to writers of all kinds. Each line starts with a statement that you can finish however you want. This is a chance to work on metaphor and simile within a poem. You can also use it as a way…
Today’s exercise comes from local poet and long time Moniack tutor, John Glenday. Write three short paragraphs/verses/sections about a box. Your box can be as real or as imaginary as you like. You can stretch the rules so that the box can be any container, or vaguely box shaped thing…
This week’s exercise is the second of our two-part exercise from Cynthia Rogerson, focused on developing a lively setting for your story. Grab your work from last week and settle in for another ten minutes with your pen and paper. If you didn’t get a chance to complete the exercise…
Think of your favourite place in the world or a specific location in the world you have created for a story. Visualise it as if this location were to fit on the front of a postcard. In essence, take a snapshot in your mind of the place you would like…