Blogging, Writing & Creativity

The 7x7x7x7 Writing Prompt

January 25, 2013 - By 

I came across this article in the Huffington Post today, and didn’t get past the first idea before an idea struck me! There are ten exercises suggested in the article. I’m going to undertake them over the next few posts and see how they go. I’ve been working on improving my creativity and this is just the kind of challenge I need.

So here goes with The 7x7x7x7 Writing Prompt :

Grab the 7th book from your bookshelf. Open it up to page 7. Pinpoint the 7th sentence on the page. Begin a poem that begins with that sentence and limit it in length to 7 lines.

7x7x7x7

Was it a coincidence that the seventh book  happened to be The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People? I can’t say. The book doesn’t even have page 7! So I counted the pages and then arrived at the seventh line on the seventh page. It reads, “But these are secondary, not primary traits.”  In this section Covey is discussing the difference between the ‘character ethic’ and the ‘personality ethic’. Here’s my 7 line poem.

(But) These are secondary, not primary traits
Do they truly reflect us, or do we hesitate
To reveal what’s inside us
Ours fears and hurts
Our true hopes and dreams.
What if we’re not accepted by all who see
What’s deep inside us behind our personality?

Somehow this topic seemed to fit right in with what’s going on in my life – my search to be authentic and real.  Sometimes, the fear that we will not be accepted for being who we are, makes us create a personality that might not reflect what’s within. I’ve been gradually shedding that personality that I adopted and I can tell you that not everyone can accept the real Me.

Does it hurt? Hell, yes.

Is it scary? But, of course.

Is it worth it? Like nothing else!

Today I’m inviting you to join in me in this prompt and also encouraging you on your journey towards being YOU.

PS: If you decide to play, leave your link here.

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Corinne Rodrigues, a writer, coach, and blogger from Secunderabad, India, shares insights on life, creativity, and wellness through her blogs Everyday Gyaan and The Frangipani Creative.

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79 Comments on “The 7x7x7x7 Writing Prompt”

  2. Corinne, the idea is fabulous but I can’t write a poem for nuts. Can I write a post based on that seventh line?
    You are a fantastic wordsmith, by Jove. Your poems read so well.

    The idea is brilliant, Corinne. Thanks for the tag. BTW, I’m waiting for the other one (BP) as well.

    Joy always,
    Susan

    1. I can’t write poems for nuts either. Can I do a flash fiction… limited to 7 sentences… or something like that?

      Another writing prompt that I got yesterday was to step out of the house and take a pic. Step back inside and take another pic. Then write a post relating the two. Sounded fun, but I haven’t done anything about it. 🙁
      Love,
      Dagny

  3. Wowzie!!! That is pretty gutsy, Corinne! Well, I cant write a post right now..but did go into my library n picked out the seventh book from one section (it is Gendering Talk) and 7th line on 7th page says” “yet i also question the gendered stereotyping of monologue and dialogue and try to uncouple…” The author speaks of monologue tending to be masculine and dialog as considered to be preffered by women but she wants to note how both genders practice it. Ok..let me see if I can rhyme it…
    She says she speaks in us,
    And you say you speak.
    But remember the moments,
    when we both spoke
    us and me
    us and me
    till dawn spliced us again?

  4. This sounds interesting Corinne. Will try and link in tomorrow. I love Stephen Covey’s book and your poem is great. It’s so true that we hide our true selves behind a façade so that we can be accepted but eventually it just gets very tiring to be someone you are not. Great post.

  6. This sounds like a fun prompt!! I loved your poem too. Being authentic–it doesn’t get any better.

    Cheers, Jenn

  7. and shall it be said that my eye was in truth my dawn
    my heart no more forlorn
    Smile,my face adorned
    I sprinted & sang along. . .
    for My Life no more on loan
    & at last I had come home
    At last I had come home . . .

  10. Great prompt! Not that I can aspire to composing a poem. I will participate from next week (hopefully)!

      1. I’m waiting for this poem now, Roshini, after I read yours today!
        Thanks – got the background off the net. Will share it with you if you have use for it – let me know. 🙂

        1. Hi Corinne, I would love to have it (or if you can point me to the website where you got it from)!!

  11. Pingback: All Sevens « Serenely Rapt

  13. Strange but I too gravitated towards a book and a line that strangely reflected the situation I am currently facing……….

  14. Hi Corinne,

    Taking action in the first place is wonderful enough 🙂 How many have read it and ignore taking the action? You did 🙂

    Nice poem and I’ve added some background music myself 😉 Isn’t it true that everyone doesn’t accept us at all? We need to show ourselves and the rest will follow for being who we are 🙂

    Cheers…

  15. Great way to exercise those muscles (the creative ones). Also a good one is to start writing from a lyrics in a song (this is my favorite).. I like where you went with the poem. I liked the line from the book, as well, I carry around a notebook when I am creating characters (actually the journal is always with me in the event I see someone I need to document) anyway, while creating a character.. I write down everything I think she/he should be… eventually, I weed it down, but in the beginning.. she might have glossy chopped short black hair, slim hips, is leggy and had a fine swell of calf. People watch – it’s a gas!

    1. Oh wow, Brenda. What I wouldn’t do to spend some time with you watching you create those characters. I love the idea of carrying around a journal to write down stuff as it occurs to you. Something I must do. The lyrics prompt is something I’m going to try out soon.

  19. Great idea. Wish I had time to participate just now but while I am typing this on my phone, my mother is nattering away and I am not going to get away with it much longer! I even try to squeeze things in while waiting for kettle to boil or making dinner! So much writing to do, so little time.

  20. Corinne! Smart idea and beautiful poem. I can probably relate to some of those emotions because in the past couple of years I have felt like there’s two sides to me too. One that’s among friends and fears to reveal her true emotions for fear of being judged and the other that’s getting stronger by the day – the true true one. Here’s to finding the true you! I did mine too and have linked it!

  21. Hi Corinne,

    Your poem was both beautiful and powerful.

    It seems like you and I have both been experiencing similar emotions with regards to not being accepted by everyone for being our real selves.

    I too have been trying to me more authentic and it is scary. Your words have inspired me to continue doing what I am. Thank you.

    1. Thank you so much, Hiten. I would love to hear more about your experiences with not being accepted for being you. I am learning to say “This is me. If you don’t like what you see, go look elsewhere!” 😉
      Here’s to us continuing to find our way back to ourselves!

  23. This is an interesting approach. I enjoyed every bit of the poem. I was tempted to join in but it is quite unfortunate the books around are not up to 7.
    My poem will be ready tomorrow.

  24. The headline is stunning and will definitely make someone to click the post.

    What makes it more meaningful is the content and the way in which you have applied it..

    Radical girl Corrine..Hats off to your amazing skill in trying new things out, whether it be reading challenge or 7*7*7*7 or showcasing your life in just a photograph..

    Sincerely,
    Inspiring Citizen Rafi

  25. Hi Corinne,

    Thanks for sharing ,i am a new to your blog,i have came some days back to read Hiten guest Post.And this is the second post i am readingyours .Nice sharing platform must say.
    Ok now the article is great and the poem holds meaning that relate me too and reflect your thoughts.

    Thank You
    Shorya Bist
    From Youthofest

  27. What an interesting exercise! And how perfect that you picked up a book with that title. You come up with some intriguing writing exercises. But what about the part about the real you?

    1. I enjoyed the prompt, Galen and I see it caught the imagination of quite a few people.
      I’m a little confused about your question “what about the part about the real you?”.

  29. Nice to see so many of our mutual Blogger friends jump on to this creative bandwagon! I wish I was half decent as a poet…I may have attempted this too!

  31. That was a good one, Corinne and a great message as well.

    Btw, you hv stopped posting on Indiblogger, have you? Been following you through there and hadn’t seen any post by you in “Posts from my network”. I come over here and find you have been very active indeed. 🙂

  33. I love 7 and to multiply it several times is a real wow 😀

    Thanks for the initiative you always take BS… it’s amazing and challenging.

    I love the poem you composed ~ it is profound… I think the very first person to accept who we really are is ourself… it is a very humbling experience…

    1. You love 7? I’m wondering why? Could it be because I was born on the 7th? 😉
      Thank you for enjoying my poem. You’re so right, we have to learn first to accept ourselves, before we show true selves to the world. Love you, Mel.

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