Sumo Up Close and Personal!
Words on Wednesdays Writing Prompt
There is nothing quite like a live performance.
Music, storytelling, sporting events, dance, theatre—it does not matter exactly what spectacle you are partaking in. There is a fundamental difference between seeing the world through a screen or interpreting it on the page; nothing can beat being there in person.
Take my experience at a sumo stable in Tokyo, where we joined a handful of guests for a private viewing of a 90-minute training session.
The men mostly avoided the gazes from the small audience. We were intruders, curious and respectful but very much outsiders. Of all the things we did in Japan (it was quite the trip), this early-morning peek behind the scenes of an ancient traditional practice made the biggest impression. Several times, I’ve sat down to try writing about the experience, but I find words to be woefully inadequate.
I regret not having taken in a notebook and pen. Should I ever have the chance to go back, I won’t leave those critical pieces of equipment behind.
PROMPTS
Part 1: Recall a live event of any type that you’ve attended. Try bringing it to life for a reader by using all your senses. Record your feelings, thoughts, and physical reactions. Notice what you find most challenging to capture. What comes to mind most easily?
Part 2: The next time you attend a live event of any type, take a notebook and record your observations on the spot. Later, write a description similar to Part 1 (recreating a remembered event). What was most helpful in your on-the-spot note-taking?
Welcome to Words on Wednesdays!
Because I’ve been sharing so much of my learning to draw journey here, some people don’t realize that I was an author first (with a deep fear of drawing anything). But, once a writer, always a writer! For years, I’ve led workshops and run writing groups while I was writing and publishing lots of stuff myself.
These prompts started out in the Writers on Fire online community, but I thought it would be fun to share them here as well. Watch out for writing prompts in your in-box every Wednesday!
Feel like sharing? By all means !!
Either drop a link to your response (if you post it somewhere) or drop your writing into a comment – we’d love to see what you do with these prompts!
My most dramatic life event was playing accordion on stage with the bare naked ladies. As I emerged from stage left I felt the warmth of the lights and the roar of the crowd. It was at that moment I KNEW I missed my life calling. I was meant to be an on stage DIVA....
A good picture and interesting observations. I would also avoid eye-contact with an audience if I was prancing around nearly naked. I'll have to try and recall my reactions to a live event. Interesting prompt.