Writing prompt #78: CULTURE & RITUAL

Hi Everyone,

Recently, I was reading a collection of Japanese death poems (my reading can get quite eclectic) and came across this passage: “To this day, it is thought that ravens embody the souls of the dead, and that the cuckoo is a harbinger of death.”

YOUR PROMPT: What specific cultural beliefs can you embroider into your work that betray a deep, archaeological knowledge of the world(s) you’re portraying? Feel free to zero in on specific rituals that have emerged from family history—say, the playing of a particular trumpet solo for a lost uncle. The more richly singular the details, the more they will resonate with readers.

Try 1-2 pages to start.

Enjoy—and happy holidays!

Abrazos,

Cristina

(Photo by Masahisa Fukase)