Writing Crawl

A Reflection on my Adventure and Prompts for YOU!

Yesterday I took myself on a writing crawl, which is like a bar crawl, but I go to different locations, write, and take photos rather than drink. (I am not opposed to drinks! That would make the writing different though! )

The last crawl I did was for the Spring Equinox. I have developed a pattern for taking crawls close to these special days of the year.

I will take you along on my crawl and share some prompts for your writing!

Usually, I focus on objects when I am writing out in the world and overheard conversations. People were visually interesting this trip for me!

ONE: Train Station

The station was full today which is unusual for an 8:30am train on a weekday. The train was late which was typical. The KringleMarket in still in Daily Plaza so I am sure some of these people were heading there. I make up stories about where these people are going in the city and why. A brother and sister traveled with their mother who were sitting across from me in the waiting area. They were reminiscing about flights being canceled!

You can buy tickets from the kiosk or on the app. I prefer the app now which also tracks the trains and their lateness.

PROMPTS:

Where are they going?

Waiting.

Tickets.

TWO: TRAIN

There is something about a train. I often use a train in a blizzard as white noise when I am having trouble concentrating.

Two men entered the train at different stops and were carrying interesting items. One had a folding scooter and the other a metal folding chair.

Prompt: Write about a character carrying something large and unusual.

THREE: Art Institute of Chicago

I am a member of the museum so we are able to enter an hour early before the general public. There is a silence in the museum during this hour which is delicious. There were three couples taking engagement photos on the stairs. The Tiffany window is in this space and a lot of light fills this space.

I have never seen a tightrope walker in person and I was drawn to this Degas painting. Medusa gets a bad wrap and I have written many times about her. I love the lions in the front of the museum and was happy to see them decorated for December.

PROMPTS:

Write about an event you misunderstood at first.

Lions.

Write a story that takes place at a great height.

FOUR: Member Lounge

Dark side of the moon coffee and water here. Walking around the museum makes one thirsty.

I have no idea who this person is but her outfit begs you to look at her.

I wrote about titles while I sat here. There is a big difference between titles that are expected in fiction and poetry as opposed to art pieces!

PROMPTS:

Coffee.

Oh that hat with the matching pants!

FIVE: LUNCH

This burger was yummy and this “potato salad” had a lemony sauce I plan to recreate at home. I would not call this dish salad but rather a side of saucy potatoes!

PROMPTS:
Potato salad?

Lemons and dill.

Double Decker.

SIX: WRITING IN THE GALLERY

This is an event sponsored by the museum and was lovely. The two hosts had extensive knowledge about the Paula Modersohn-Becker exhibit and invited us to respond to the art and their prompts in this space. The 90 minutes went fast. I learned out the institute prefers people to write in pencil in the galleries. They provided pencils and journals for us.

This artist wrote journals and many letters while she made her art in Germany which is part of the reason this was the space chosen for this type of event.

We gathered on folding hammock chairs and discussed her work and then freewrote together. It was a wonderful experience. I hope to do more of these events.

I met a librarian from the Art Institute, a student in the program, and the woman who began StoryStudio Chicago at this event! Sadly, the next writing in the gallery events will not be until February. The evening times they have planned are not ideal for my schedule so we will see how that plays out. I do plan on returning to the museum before then and will write in the gallery on my own.

PROMPTS:
What are you looking at?

Self Portrait.

Story in the form of a letter.

The day was lovely and I have many notes and snippets that I will develop into something more.

How does this idea of a writing crawl land for you? Where would you plan a writing crawl near you?