Crunch: The Ruins
Writing Exercise #21
This Crunch was inspired by
’s recent adventure to the Churches and ruins of northern England.
If you have ideas for Prompts, Crunches, Sprints, Relays, or other writing exercises in the future, please leave them in the comments! If you would like to write your own take for this exercise, please comment with a link so that I can see what you wrote and support your work, maybe even share your version with my subscribers. Please let me know if you have any thoughts, comments, or constructive criticisms as well!
Enjoy!
Crunch: Write about life among the ruins
It was his first hunt on his own. His tribe had performed a ritual and gathered around the fire-circle in the middle of their tents. They sang, they danced. His father handed him a spear which he had carved specially for this rite of passage. They followed him to the tree line, and without turning around or saying a word, he stepped into the dark forest.
He was not to return without having caught something. The bigger the catch, the bigger the blessing. If he fails to catch something—better not return. One leaves as a boy, returns as a man, having proven his ability to provide. This was the way of things.
He examined the forest floor. Deer tracks! A deer would be a boon to the tribe and a blessing for him. The tracks lead through the woods, to a clearing.
There are strange stone formations in the clearing, piles of stones in lines forming walls, gaps in the walls in strange patterns. In the midst of these piles is the deer, solitary, grazing peacefully.
What strange tribe made these tents of stone? Clearly they didn’t work very well. The leather tents of his tribe were far more mobile—at least those still exist today.
He walks quietly as close as he can to the deer, which fails to notice him. Suddenly he lunges forward, and stabs the deer through the neck!
He wonders what the stones were for. He gathers his blessing to return to the tribe.
(250 words)
The Promptee Has Become The Promptor
Your feedback helps to improve my writing. I would really appreciate a comment on your thoughts on this writing exercise. Consider telling me your thoughts about:
Have you ever gone camping?
What makes a Church beautiful?
What is your favorite brunch spot?
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy! Come back next week for another writing exercise!
Hey, before you go—have you read my recently published Serial, SANDBOX EARTH yet? You can buy a hardcopy too! Check it out at the link!
God bless!
I like this prompt, I've been inspired to write something myself...
1. Yes, I have. I wrote an account of the first camping trip with my family here: https://walthercantu.substack.com/p/go-camping-they-said-itll-be-fun
2. I think reverence makes a Church beautiful, second only to the sacrifice of the Mass being offered in it.
3. Perk Eatery in Scottsdale, AZ. My go to is their chorizo breakfast burrito with obscene amounts of tomatillo salsa. 10/10 will eat there again.