If you are of a certain age, you might remember those little pink telephone message notepads, “While you were out.” Back in the days when executives had secretaries, and before answering machines, we would fill out these forms with information: Who the message was for. The date. Who called and why. There were little boxes to check: Telephoned. Came to See You. Returned your call. Please call. Will call again. Wants to see you. And my favorite, “Urgent.” I don’t know why it’s my favorite, perhaps it appeals to the dramatic aspect. And there is a larger space to write a message. Today’s Prompt: While you were out. A variation of this prompt: The red light is blinking on the telephone answering machine. Or “you have one new message” on your cell phone. You hit “play” or “voice mail” and listen. You are shocked to hear. . . I can…
Author: mcullen
Marlene Cullen is enthusiastic about encouraging people to write, even those who think they can’t write. Her series of books, The Write Spot anthologies, features writing that entertains as well as inspires writing. Every story, vignette, and poem in The Write Spot books include writing prompts motivating readers to become writers.
Marlene hosts The Write Spot Blog, a treasure chest of inspirational gems for writers.
Fulfilling her passion for writing and sharing with others, Marlene has created unique writing environments such as Jumpstart Writing Workshops, where participants often experience transformational changes. Her workshops provide essential elements for successful writing.
Marlene is the founder of Writers Forum of Petaluma, a monthly literary event featuring presenters talking about the craft and business of writing.
Marlene's awarding winning short stories and essays have been published in literary journals, anthologies, and newspapers, including Tiny Lights, Building Bridges, More Bridges, Redwood Writers anthologies, and The Write Spot anthologies.
She is a member of the California Writer's Club.
Worst and Best . . . Prompt #262
Think about this past weekend . . . this past week . . . this past month. Take a few minutes to reflect how things have gone, are going. When you are ready, write about the worst thing that happened to you this past weekend, or week, or month. When you are done with that, write about the best thing that happened to you this past weekend, or week, or month. Worst and Best. Just write.
Force yourself . . . and don’t stop . . .
“Force yourself to begin putting words on the page immediately, and don’t stop until the timer goes off, even if you have to write about the weather.” — Jan Ellison, inspired by Ellen Sussman I read this quote in the 12/4/15 Writer’s Digest guest blog post, “9 Practical Tricks for Writing Your First Novel,” written by Jan Ellison. Since Ellen Sussman was scheduled to be a Writers Forum presenter and since I also believe this philosophy . . . my ears perked up. . . . Daydreaming about how “ears perked up” would look and could it really happen? I think so, in a Fred Flintstone kind of way, when he’s . . . Oops, I’m taking the writing advice to put words on the page too literally. And the timer is ticking. Brian Klems, host of The Writer’s Dig Blog where this post appears, gives this introduction to the…
Real Simple Life Lesson Essay Contest
What was the most dramatic change you have ever had to make? “Maybe you had to move cross-country after being relocated for a job, opening up new possibilities along with fears. Or maybe you needed to sell your house or leave an apartment before you expected to. How did that situation influence the rest of your life? If one unavoidable shift changed your world—for good and bad—in enduring ways, write it down and share it with Real Simple.” Send your typed, double-spaced submission to lifelessons@realsimple.com. 1,500 words maximum. Deadline: 11:50 pm, September 19, 2016. Read the 2016 Winning Essay How I Made My Best Friend During the Worst Tragedy of My Life, by Diane Penney.
Found . . . Prompt #261
Found. What do you think of when you hear the word “Found?” Some Thing you found somewhere? Something you discovered about yourself? You found you had . . . fill in the missing piece. Something you lost and then found? Today’s writing prompt: Found.
Ellen Sussman likes her world shaken.
Guest Blogger Ellen Sussman writes about the novelty of new places and how this opens interesting problems and possibilities for fictional characters. When I travel abroad I expect to be surprised. Life shouldn’t be the same in a foreign country. I want to shake up my world, to expose myself to new tastes and sounds and smells and voices. I want to see things that are so novel, so startling, that my eyes open wider. That experience – of expanding my horizons while traipsing across a new horizon – should not only transform me while I’m gone, but it should deliver me home again in some new, improved way. High demands for a little vacation. My sister travels to the same resort in Florida every year. She doesn’t want what I’m looking for. She wants food she’s familiar with, experiences that don’t challenge her, sheets with the same thread count…
Yard Sale Find, But . . . Prompt #260
What kind of writing prompts do you like? Let me know and I’ll see if I can create prompts to meet your desires. Today’s writing prompt is inspired by one of my all-time favorite authors, Hal Zina Bennett. What if . . . During a long car trip, you stop at a yard sale in a strange town and find an interesting picture frame. It holds the photo of a familiar face —your fiancé’s or fiancée’s! There’s a passionate inscription to a stranger, dated three weeks ago. Write about what happens next. From “40 Prompts To Get You Writing,” The Writer Magazine, February 2012. Hal Zina Bennett is the author of more than 30 books including: Write From the Heart: Unleashing the Power of Your Creativity; Write Starts: Prompts, Quotes & Exercise to Jumpstart Your Creativity; and Writing Spiritual Books: A Bestselling Writer’s Guide to Successful Publication. Hal has helped…
Weave journal discoveries into stories
If you “keep a journal,” you can weave some entries into stories. Give your fictional characters personality traits, attitudes or habits discovered in journal writing. Each day write about what surprised you, what moved you, what inspired you. Even if you think you have nothing to say, sit down and start writing. Write about the worst thing that happened to you and the best thing that happened to you each day. Just write! Inspired from an article in the December 2000 issue of Good Housekeeping, “The Question Journal,” by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., author of My Grandfather’s Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge, and Belonging.
Voices of Lincoln Poetry Contest 2016
The 12th Annual Voices of Lincoln Poetry Contest has five categories: Things My Parents Taught Me The Best Gift I Ever Received It Happened One Night If I Were Rich And Famous You Can Count On Me You may submit a maximum of three poems, no more than one in each of three of the five contest categories. Poems may be in rhyme, free verse, Haiku or other accepted poetry forms and of any length, up to a maximum of 60 lines. You do not have to live in Lincoln, CA to be eligible. Young Poets, 18-years of age or under, are encouraged to submit poems and will compete in a special “Young Poets” category. Entry Forms and Contest Rules Entry Forms must be received no later than Saturday, July 23, 2016. Early submissions are appreciated. If you have questions, please contact Alan Lowe, Contest Coordinator, at slolowe@icloud.com
Someone Who Is Always There For You Prompt #259
Write about someone who is always there for you. Or someone who needs you. I thought of this prompt when reading the quote from To Kill a Mockingbird: “I was to think of these days many times. Of Jem, and Dill…and Attticus. He would be in Jem’s room all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.” Let me (Marlene) know if you have a favorite quote. . . I can use quotes for writing prompts and for Tuesdays – Quote Day on The Write Spot Blog.