Trees don't grow to the sky
Some writers get the story down before they start to figure out what it’s all about. Others need their theme in hand – but may have trouble simplifying a philosophy. If you’re flailing about for a universal truth to get your writerly jaw into, a good place to seek inspiration is a list of proverbs. A proverb is usually a metaphor and often encapsulates in simple terms, a lesson from the common experience of humanity. Sit down and have a think about the specific meaning of the following and then go freewrite a story illustrating this philosophy. I’d love to hear how you get on!
Graveyards are full of indispensable people.
You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.
A little learning is a dangerous thing.
The belly has no ears.
Trees don’t grow to the sky.
A dumb priest never got a parish.
The only free cheese is in the mousetrap.
Eaten bread is soon forgotten.
Got any you’d care to share?
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About suehealy
From Ireland, Sue Healy is Literary Manager at the Finborough Theatre, London, a full-time Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Lincoln, a Creative Writing tutor at City Lit and the Irish Editor at TheTheatreTimes.com.
In addition to her academic work, Sue is an award-winning writer for stage, TV, and prose writer. Her current project, a 6x60minute TV series, is under option. Her most recent stage-play, Imaginationship (2018), enjoyed a sold out, extended run at the Finborough and later showed at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough. Her previous stage productions include Cow (Etcetera Theatre, 2017) and Brazen (King’s Head Theatre, 2016), funded by Arts Council England. Sue’s short plays have been performed at the Criterion (Criterion New Writing Showcase), Arcola (The Miniaturists) and Hackney Attic (Fizzy Sherbet Shorts).
Her radio work includes nine plays broadcast on BBC Radio 4 (Opening Lines winner), WLRfm and KCLR96fm.
Sue’s prose has won The Molly Keane Award, HISSAC Prize, Escalator Award, Meridian Prize and has been published in nine literary journals and anthologies including: The Moth, Flight, Tainted Innocence, New Writer, Duality, HISSAC, New European Writers. She has been writer-in-residence on Inis Oírr, Aran Islands, and at the Heinrich Boll Cottage on Achill Island. She has also benefitted from annual artist residencies at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, and at Ginestrelle, Assisi in Italy.
An academic with a PhD in modern theatre history, specifically the Royal Court Theatre, Sue has presented her research internationally. She spent eleven years in Budapest, editing Hungary A.M. She has a PhD in modern theatre history (Royal Court Theatre) and is a UEA Creative Writing MA alumnus.
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August 25th, 2011 at 20:21
I love this idea! I’m going to have to give it a try this evening. 🙂 Thanks for the post!
August 25th, 2011 at 20:26
Delighted you like it, I love it too. I’ve worked four really good stories out of proverbs. Best of luck with it and thanks for commenting!
September 6th, 2011 at 15:43
The squeaky hinge gets the oil
September 6th, 2011 at 17:07
That’s a great one! Mind buzzing on it already…