Guest Blogger Steve Fisher writes. . . (and I love it) . . . Writing. We love it; we hate it. Anyone who has put pen to paper, or in this modern age, fingers to keyboards, understands that sentiment. It’s a process both joyous and painful. When it works—that is, when our brain clicks into gear and coherent thoughts manage to escape the gray matter—there’s no more exciting feeling. When emotions actually materialize on the page, or screen, leaving you feeling drained in the best of ways, it’s the best of all possible worlds. On a rare occasion I have found myself laughing at something one of my characters said or crying because of something they did. And I didn’t feel like the mystical God creating those words or actions that I was at that moment. Once, I actually walked out my door and ran into my characters. People who…
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.
Connections. Prompt #168
Connections have always fascinated me. Our connections to one another. Lack of connections also interests me. Connections . . . when you meet someone for the first time and instantly feel connected. Or when you are compelled to go somewhere and you don’t know why. Once you get there, you re-connect with someone you haven’t seen in awhile. Connections – that “aha” moment when something becomes crystal clear. Are connections important to you? Connections to one another, to things, to ideas. . . what does connection mean to you? Write about connections. Or write about disconnections. Just write! Photo by Jim C. March
All sorrows can be borne . . .
“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!
Write from that place where the real you exists.
“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.
Cimarron Review looks for strong writing and cover art
Cimarron 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!
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. Photo by Karen Bobier
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
I may never finish my novel . . .
“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
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! Ready? Set? Let’s go. Photo by Kent Sorensen
The Blotter wants yer pieces. Now!
The 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.