Author Amok's 2015 Sound Poem Project

Hey, Writerly Friends. February is almost here. You know what that means. It's time for our annual daily writing workout!

For the last two years -- in order to practice writing and give something back to others during my birthday month -- Author Amok has hosted a big poetry project.

In 2013, I wrote every day in response to vintage postcards. (Find the list of postcard poems here.)

In 2014, over a dozen poets joined me for the project. We all wrote in response to Pantone paint colors. (Find the list of Pantone poems here.)

Before I get to this year's project theme, guess who else has a birthday coming up...

It's Tabatha of the blog The Opposite of Indifference, who happens to be the winner of last week's featured book giveaway. Tabatha will receive an ARC of HUSH, DON'T TELL NOBODY, by Kyle Doty. Happy birthday, Tabatha!

Every Friday throughout February, I will post a week's worth of sound clips. Where possible, I will give the link with no description. What you hear is what you get.

You are invited to write in response to the sound (see suggested writing prompts below).

Important note: The point of this exercise is to practice the habit of writing regularly, even if it's just for one month. I post the responses as they are sent in so that we can focus on generating ideas, rather than on polishing for publication

Prose writers, you are welcome to join us! Use the sounds to create a 100-250 word writing sprint. Are you working on a novel? How would your protagonist react to hearing the day's sound?

Leave your contribution(s) in the comments -- let me know which sound you are writing in response to. Or send it to me via email at (all one word) "mrs poems at gmail dot" etc. Prefer to post your audio response at your own blog? Great! Send me the link and I'll be sure to include it.

I'll post our poems and other written responses every day in February, or at least several times a week. Whoever shares the most poems this month will get a prize! (Last year, Diane Mayr won a snazzy Pantone paint notebook.) 

This year's prize is a spoken word CD from Gargoyle literary magazine.

Here are the week 1 sounds. Purists -- if the link includes a video, minimize the page and you can listen to the sound without visual distraction:

Sunday, February 1

Monday, February 2

Tuesday, February 3

Wednesday, February 4

Thursday, February 5 

Thanks to Renee LaTulippe for the suggestion.

Friday, February 6 

Matt Forrest Esenwine, I love this recommendation.

Saturday, February 7: Listener's Choice -- pick your endangered sound.

How do you respond in writing to a sound?

Here are some prompts to try:

·                 What does the sound make you see? A memory, object, image, or something else.

·                 Sensory response: Does this sound trigger your sense of smell, taste, or touch?

·                 Build a setting: Where could you be when listening to this sound? 

·                 Become the sound: Imagine that you are the animal, object, or person making this sound. Write a persona poem in the voice of the sound-maker.

Thanks in advance for playing along. Remember to share what you come up with in the comments or via email. 

Since it is Poetry Friday, here is one of my favorite poems about sound.

Paul at These 4 Corners is hosting today's
Poetry Friday links. Thanks, Paul.
Happy birthday to all my fellow Febs!

If you're curious about some of the websites I used to find sounds, read this post.