From The Writer’s Block by Jason Rekulak: Spark words carry different meanings for different people, ask ten different women to write about the word “diet,” for example, and you’ll receive ten very different responses. Words like “in-laws,” “polygamy,” and “pillow-talk” provoke equally varied responses.

Other spark words offer direct challenges to your imagination. Can you write a scene or story that centers around words like “Ooops” or “ouch?” How about the word “Viagra?” I can here your mental hears spinning already. Just remember: ….you shouldn’t plan very long before setting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard – Lisa) And you should only treat the spark words as a jumping-off point–follow the story into new territory if that’s where it wants to go. By obeying the lead of your imagination, you may end up writing a perfectly wonderful short story that doesn’t mention the original spark word once.

Reprobate (Rep”ro*bate\ (-b?t), a. [L. reprobatus, p. p. of reprobare to disapprove, condemn. See Reprieve, Reprove.] 1. Not enduring proof or trial; not of standard purity or fineness; disallowed; rejected. [Obs.] 2. Abandoned to punishment; hence, morally abandoned and lost; given up to vice; depraved

Man Defined
by: MaryAnne