All sorrows can be borne . . .

  • All sorrows can be borne . . .

    My Journal.1“All sorrows can be borne if you put them in a story or tell a story about them.” Isak Dinesen

    Excerpted “From The Editor,” Alicia Anstead, editor-in-chief, July 2015, The Writer Magazine, writing about trauma and loss.

    Marlene’s Musings:  Sometimes our writing explores fun journeys. Other times our writing takes an unexpected turn and drifts into a gully where sadness could be overwhelming. Next week I plan to post how to write about difficult subjects without re-traumatizing ourselves. Stay tuned!

    Marlene C

  • Write from that place where the real you exists.

    beach filled heart“Write from your heart. You’ll hear that a lot, but what it means is to write from what moves you, what frightens you, what makes you deeply sad, what makes you ecstatic. Remember to write from that place where the real you exists.” John Kelly, Writer Magazine, July 2015

    Photo by Jeff Cullen. Click here to see Jeff’s portfolio on fotolia.

    Marlene C

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  • Cimarron Review looks for strong writing and cover art

    CimarronCimarron Review is “interested in any strong writing of a literary variety . . . especially partial to fiction in the modern realist tradition and poetry that engages the reader through a distinctive voice—be it lyric, narrative, etc

    Cimarron Review is now accepting both electronic and postal submissions. Please read these guidelines before submitting. The link to the online system appears at the end of these guidelines.

    Cimarron Review accepts submissions year-round in poetry, fiction, and art.

    Artists and photographers interested in having their work appear on an upcoming cover of the Cimarron Review should query by E-mail at cimarronreview@okstate.edu.  If our editors are interested, we’ll reply and request to see more work.

    Marlene’s Musings: I don’t know what “modern realist tradition” means. Do you? If yes, post the answer here. . . educate us!

    Marlene C

  • What can you do with these random words? Prompt #167

    Use these words in a freewrite:  rain, symphony, diamond, place, play, sea, true, gorgeous, swim, beauty

     Post your writing on The Write Spot Blog.

    Creek.Upper AdobePhoto by Karen Bobier

    Marlene C

  • Freedom . . . Prompt #166

    You can use the prompts on The Write Spot Blog to write about your personal experiences, or experiences that others have had, or to write fiction. If you are working with a fictional character, respond to the prompt as your fictional character would. Don’t have a fictional character? Maybe now is the time to create one.

    You can take actual events from your life and fictionalize them. Your fictional character could be based on an actual person, or a combination of many people.

    Today’s Writing Prompt: FREEDOM

    Marlene C

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  • I may never finish my novel . . .

    Lola“I may never finish my novel, but the joy of writing, of using those 26 letters to express and share what I create with them, is the comfort that keeps me on the journey.” Connie Mygatt

    Connie Mygatt is a writer/artist living in beautiful Petaluma, California. She was born and raised in rural Pennsylvania, married and started her family there. The rich memories of life in that rural area and living in California for over 30 years have allowed her to experience many wonderful and sad moments that are an ever constant source of inspiration to her. Plus, life is ever offering intriguing “what if” moments from which to harvest story lines. She enjoys writing short stories, poetry and has started her first novel.

              Last year, Connie finished writing, illustrating and publishing her first children’s book, Only For A While, which can be purchased on Amazon or through her directly at Maye123 – at – comcast.com

    Marlene C

  • Have you been wanting to write?

    Have you been wanting to write? Perhaps this is the summer for your writing. How about this. . . let’s all (me, too) take the month of July to write 15-20 minutes a day. If you have more time, write longer. But let’s commit to a minimum of 15-20 minutes every day.

    What to write about? Whatever is on your mind. Need some ideas . . . some prompts to get started?

    Click on Prompts  . . . Choose a prompt. Set your timer and Just Write!

    SorensenReady? Set? Let’s go.

    Photo by Kent Sorensen

     

    Marlene C

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  • The Blotter wants yer pieces. Now!

    The BlotterThe Blotter wants yer pieces. Now!

    Send “short prose (stories and nonacademic essays), Poetry, Photojournalism/-essay, Journalism and monthly columns that go beyond or beneath the pabulum you’re expected to enjoy, Comix, and Fine art that would reproduce well on newsprint. We’d like you to try to send stuff that is somehow resonant with what we have already published, but frankly, sometimes you know better than we do what we want. We do endeavor to be apolitical — bear that in mind.”

    Marlene’s Musings; It sounds like The Blotter is ready and waiting for YOUR writing. If you have something ready to go . . . send now. If you don’t . . . whatcha waitin’ for?

    I’ll be posting literary journals as places to submit for the next few posts. So get your work lined up and get ready to submit.

    Marlene C

  • National What? Day . . . Prompt #165

    frogPrompt: Take Your Fill-In-The-Blank To Work Day

    Take your dog, cat, frog, aunt/ant to work day.

    From the June 2015 Costco Connection: Summer is typically a time when many businesses see a drop-off in customers, so they create ways to engage customers.

    Here are some specially designated days and, of course, you can write on any of these. Have fun. . .  Let your imagination take over.

    June 1: Flip A Coin Day

    June 3: Repeat Day

    June 4: Hug Your Cat Day

    June 8: Best Friends Day

    June 10: Iced Tea Day

    June 18: National Splurge Day

    June 19: Sauntering Day

    June 26: Take Your Dog to Work Day

    You can search the internet for all kinds of “official” days.

    Just Write!

    Marlene C

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  • The Write Spot Blog Seeks Guest Bloggers

    Lola.200Writers! Need to build your cred?   . . . or, as they say, need to build your platform? One way is to be a guest blogger. The Write Spot Blog seeks guest bloggers. ~600 words, something inspiring and informative for writers. Contact Marlene if interested. mcullen – at – comcast.net

    Marlene C