A writer’s gift – yours!
Chances are if you are a blogger, you express yourself very well. Your hands have the gift of being able to put thoughts and expressions, ideas and vision into written words (and photographs and illustrations, art, videos, music, etc) But most all of you can write!
For all you non haibun writers, I believe that perhaps if it were worded differently you might be interested in giving it a try! So I’d like you to consider writing a short piece with only the following thoughts in your mind.
Your writing style: Write the way you normally write, especially if you write in
a journal. If you don’t write in a journal. Then write the thoughts you’re thinking of in the moment. What comes to mind. You’ll find your words may flow (like thoughts) just write. Worry about editing afterwards. As your words flow you’ll see they have a rhythm (not rhyming like a poem, more open like free verse), they may even be terse and to the point. Have your written piece be just a few paragraphs or so.
Let it be a thought, an experience, or a feeling that comes to mind after you view a “prompt”. It can be a fictional story, or not, just as long as it is the 
“telling” or presenting of a thing! (much like in many schools “when growing up” you’d share in front of the class something you did for the summer kind of “telling”!)
After you’ve written your piece. Read it out loud to yourself.
And then go back and tighten it up. See if there are any words you can change or remove to make it more focused, specific and full of the flavor of you (that which you want to convey, express). Take just a little time here for this.
When you finish your written piece; add a short 3-line, ‘free verse’ poem, total about 14 to seventeen syllables. Have the middle line slightly longer than the others.
SAMPLE OF POEM (haiku) STYLE:
rich in expression
the haibun of our thoughts
words, a writer’s food
~
Your poem should contain your feelings on the subject you’ve just written about. Perhaps a summation or a realization (the essence of understanding, the point).
Got it? Here are your prompts! Pick one of the following two photographs.
Photo compliments of Nightlake, copyright © 2013 by Padmini
or
Photo compliments of Penny, copyright © 2013
Now, WRITE! then I’d like you
to publish your written piece on your blog and enter the piece you’ve just written, in the blue box below, follow the instructions (easy ones). I look forward to reading your words!
I think you might just surprise yourself how well you will do. Most importantly have fun.
Honourable Mentions for last week’s Ligo Haibun Challenge will be posted soon! Once again there were many excellent entries! Thank you for sharing your creativity with us and others this past week!
~ Penny
The Why About This 
Pingback: Cloud Nine | Simply Charming
Pingback: Ligo Haibun Challenge ~ Wonder | yarnspinnerr
AnElephantCant deny this is good advice
He just hopes you won’t have cause for regret
When all is said and done
And he attempts a haibun
He needs all the help he can get
I hope not also. I think the haibun and haiku are wonderful writing styles and perhaps if they are demystified a little bit, more will try and expand their writing skill a little. At least my hopes here. You are a gifted writer, the haibun format works very well for you. 🙂 xo
Pingback: My Travelling Soul – Haibun | sharing me myself and i
thanx penny..that was very informational
Pingback: Waiting in Line for Nachos | angieinspired
Pingback: Exploratorium – Līgo Haībun Challenge | anelephantcant
Lovely page!!
Thank you! Trying to increase the interest in writing haibun and haiku with a somewhat innovative approach! 🙂
I’m too verbose for this…
No your not. But I will understand if you don’t Bulldog, even though I happen to think you are quite gifted with the written word! ps – So does Robyn! 🙂 xx
Oooooh a Penny challenge…
I’m nervous. I’ve never done one of these before.
Can I sleep on it?
xx 🙂 🙂 xx
RoSy I soooooooo hope you give it a try, I have this hunch you are going to be really really good at this! So don’t sleep too long. btw, I know your schedule is hectic and crazy so will totally understand if you decided to pass on this one (okay well mostly)! 🙂 xo
Well, you would have to throw out a line this evening, hook and all! I bit so the post will be up shortly. Let me know what you think. Never done this before and I guess that is the whole purpose…get us thinking outside our norm! Hugs!
I haven’t commented yet Sharla, but I did run over there and read it! (As a judge, sigh, I wait until most of the entries are in before I comment) Just wanted to let you know. You’re really really good at this. A natural in fact! Wow, so impressed here! I love your haibun, love it!!!!! Just wanted you to know! 🙂
It wonderful to get as many people to write as possible. Writing is great for the mind and the spirit and wonderful therapy. Not to mention, it’s loads of fun.
Yes indeed Sandra! Totally! Everything you just said my friend! xx
Thanks Penny. Hope you are enjoying the sunshine.
Absolutely enjoying the sunny weather! 🙂
Thanks Penny. I live and breathe writing it’s good for me. Thanks for my LinkedIn endorsements, much appreciated. People kindly keep adding new skills for me and I keep thinking – How do they know myself better than me? Bless.
Hi Sandra. Yes you do (way cool) You’re welcome my friend. Yes people do keep doing that, I think LinkedIn has a special endorsement program that they send to everyone, lol, I wonder the same thing myself. Blessing to you also!
Thanks so much.
It is a real writing challenge for me to whom poetry does not come easily but also a great and friendly meme! Thanks Penny!
So very welcome Gabriella, thank you!
🙂
I have followed your advice!
Thank you Gabriella, just my own thoughts on a slightly different approach to the haibun and haiku. I am so pleased they were of some value to you.
Pingback: Beatrix – Līngo Haibun | Gabriella's Writing Corner
I trimmed down a piece I already wrote…
I hope you enjoy it as well as the piece it was honed from.
‘Trasformation’ (with the implied 1).
http://juleslongerstrandsofgems.wordpress.com/2013/07/20/transformation-miz-q-workshop-1/
Cheers.
Pingback: Transformation II : Ligo Haibun | Jules in Flashy Fiction
An interesting exercise in writing Penny, I write in the vein of stream of consciousness myself so part one of the exercise would be easy,,, I would however for myself skip the editing and tightening up phase as I just don’t do this. I like the feel of raw thought and emotion in my writing so I tend not to revisit a piece unless to fix a typo or spelling error, the body and soul of my writing will always remain untouched… I have never entertained attaching a poem to the end of a story I have always kept my prose separate from my poetry… which I write using the same process… but should I ever change my mind this is an exercise I may try…
Hi tj, and thank you, so much, for your well written thoughts and ideas here. I know many writers who write as you do. Depending on the piece, so do I (In the raw, so to speak). My thought here was to create a loose template to encourage others to explore a different approach, or at least one that might be unique to them. I’m guessing, if you ever do endeavor to give this a try, it will be quite an amazing read! Again sincere thanks for dropping by reading and commenting! Penny
If you want a story of any style/genre plus a three line poem I could give this a try.
Paul I’m sure you can! No question, at all! 🙂
Refreshing advice! Thanks, Penny!
Maybe you could add a PressThis icon in the share box…😊…
Good idea! 🙂
Just a little bit different approach Sunshine, which you definitely already have the knack of, btw! 🙂
🙂
Great advice for us all 🙂
Hi Celestine, well honestly, not advice I consider you needing dear friend of mine! 🙂 xx
Excellent advice Penny
Thank you Alastair. In essence it’s the same just being though of differently, I think! 🙂 xx
Yes. I like the idea of just letting it flow. It’s how I have let it go with mine. Let it tell itself.
Exactly so! 🙂