On Writing Prompts, and one of the very best responses I have ever seen

Mythology, Uncategorized, writing 1 Minute

The Norse God Odin welcomes warriors who fell in battle to Valhalla

I’m not a huge fan of writing prompts. The truth is, I already have more ideas than I have years left to live (that means I have a lot of ideas, not that I am in any immediate mortal danger) and I’m not looking for more.

I am utterly delighted that others disagree, though, because otherwise, the world wold have missed one of the very best examples of blog writing I have ever seen. In fact, it’s some of the best writing I’ve come across, period.

If you know your Norse mythology at all, you’ll know that Valhalla is the hall of the slain, where Odin welcomes the warriors who have fallen in battle. So. The writing prompt was this: What if Valhalla doesn’t discriminate against the kind of fight you lost?

This is the result that one absolutely brilliant writer came up with. It’s been a few years since I read this for first time, and I still can’t read it without wiping away a tear. Do yourself a favor and read it for yourself. And let me know what you think.

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Published by John Adcox

John Adcox (he/him) has been a cross-media communications and content strategist, producer, user experience designer, and writer for more than twenty years. Presently, he is the CEO of The Story Plant/Gramarye Media. Over the course of his career in advertising, marketing, and new media John has held a number of titles including Executive Producer, Vice President of Digital Media, Creative Director, Vice President of Marketing and Creative Services, and even CEO. In addition, he has hosted a radio show, acted professionally (although not since age 15), designed and written scripts for computer games, written a play for a professional theatre company, taught university astronomy, and written reviews and articles on topics including mythology, psychology, technology, religion, marketing strategy, and fantasy. John was the Lay Leader at Inman Park United Methodist Church, and is now a member of Neighborhood Church Atlanta, a progressive, challenging, intellectually-engaging, warm, tightly-knit, and activist congregation that encourages connection, questions, and exploration. His many, many interests include books and literature (he is insufferably proud of his library), religion and philosophy, mythology, the Arthurian legends, travel, baseball, science fiction and fantasy, marketing communications, Celtic music and lore, new media, theatre, and politics, not to mention astronomy and cosmological physics, as well as the lesser sciences. He was knighted by the late King Richard Booth of the nation/village of Hay-on-Wye (the famous book town on the border between England and Wales) and was ordained a minister on the Internet (he recently performed his first wedding). So he is properly the Right Reverend Sir John. He is very happily married to the fabulous Carol Bales (Lady Bales of Hay). The couple makes their home in Atlanta. John has published three novels, Raven Wakes the World: A Winter Tale, Christmas Past: A Ghostly Winter Tale, and The Star in the East: A Winter Tale of Ancient Mystery. Two more, Make Up Test: A Rom-Com Winter Tale and Blackthorne Faire are coming soon, and many more are forthcoming.

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4 thoughts on “On Writing Prompts, and one of the very best responses I have ever seen”

  1. Pingback: On Writing Prompts, and one of the very best responses I have ever seen – Glyn Hnutu-healh: History, Alchemy, and Me

  2. I’ve thought on this before, and surprisingly was pondering it even today on my way home from work. And thought of writing on it, without being aware of this prompt… my thought is of emergency personnel who wage war against death itself, they deserve a place in The Hall should they want it

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  3. Pingback: On Ted Lasso, and the single best review of anything I’ve ever read – John Adcox: Thoughts on My Author’s Journey

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