Reap the Whirlwind!

A Prism & Pen Writing Prompt

Hosea 8:7: For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

As I look out my kitchen window, the sun is shining, colored leaves are falling, and the wind is punishing my maples with a lash of oncoming winter. A few moments ago as I searched my mind for a writing prompt, I noticed a mini whirlwind of yellow leaves spinning into the sky.

Reap the whirlwind?

I admit my first thought was the hard work I face raking and bagging up all those gorgeous leaves. Anybody want to come over and help?

Reap the whirlwind

Fallen leaves were probably not on the mind of 8th-century-BCE Hosea as he wandered the wilderness of Samaria prophesying doom while promising restoration. What do you think about when you think about reaping the whirlwind?

P&P’s new two-week challenge starts today

We’re looking for fiction, personal essays, and storytelling of all kind. As always, poets are welcome and encouraged. Anything you have to say about reaping whirlwinds would be awesome.

Has anyone seen Aunty Em?

To answer an important question posed last week: No, you do not need to write to our prompt. It’s there to inspire you, not restrict you. P&P writers are welcome to write about anything within our guidelines at any time.

New to Prism and Pen? Here’s the link to our submissions guidelines. Hope to hear from you soon!

Don’t forget our master classes —

If you want help polishing your prose, David Wade Chambers is offering a series of interactive workshops for P&P writers and prospective writers. Wade is an accomplished author and creative writing professor volunteering his skills at the Master Class link at the top of every Prism & Pen page and story.

Stories so far —

Esther Spurrill-Jones, BFoundAPen, Kathy Lee Tolleth, Brian Pelletier, Fred Shirley, Ikedi Oghenetega, neil chapman, David Wade Chambers, Artemis Shishir, alto, Sean Stephane Martin, Gabriela Penelope Carolus, Lois Shearing, b.henriques, Carl Rebeiro 🏳️‍🌈, Rodney Frazier, Simon, Carl Rebeiro, Brian Fehler, Deneishia Jacobpito, Chris Hedges, Ronald C. Flores-Gunkle, Kathy Lee Tolleth, Brian Pelletier, Alex David Bevan, Ikedi Oghenetega, David Wade Chambers, Sean Stephane Martin, Gabriela Penelope Carolus, Lois Shearing, Valentine Wiggin, b.henriques, Carl Rebeiro, Rodney Frazier, Simon Z. Brian Fehler, Cassie Brighter, Deneishia Jacobpito, Ronald C. Flores-Gunkle, James Patrick Nelson, Brigid Maloney, Gabriela, Presley Thomas, Evan McCoy, Loren Olson, Ken Wilson, Chandler Myer, NaNa’sworld, Arabelle J., Liam Heitmann-Ryce, Edis Rune, Prickly Pam, Dawn McGrath, Jonathan | sex & theology, Tabitha Lowndes, Emma Nwosisi, Melissa Speed, Dr. Thomas J. West, Till Kaeslin, Dave Smurthwaite, Ellie Rebecca, Zoey Milford, Edris Quinn C., Dennett, Michael Constable, Jim Martens, Stephen Foster, Kravitz M. Kristen Nadel, William Kuhn, Denisa Bogdan, MSci, Rafaela Mempin, Tre L. Loadholt, theoaknotes, Rachel Brindell, Elle Fredine, Jess Darnell, Emma Holiday, Gabe Evaristo, Joshua Mackey, Steve Alexander, Stevie Wilkinson, Andy Killoran, Nick Bundarin