Write about a building that has or had meaning to you. Describe the building. Where is it? Or, where was it? Write about the energy of the building or the place. Did you like being there, or going there? If you no longer go there, would you like to go back? If you continue to go there, what draws you to this place? In your mind’s eye, turn to the building. Wave good-bye. Tell it you will see it again, either in your imagination or for real. “A Building,” by Cheryl Moore, might offer inspiration. #justwrite #iamwriting #iamawriter
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.
Sensory Detail . . . Prompt #738
Writing Prompt Look around. What catches your eye? Choose an item near you, or in your room, to write about. Hold it in your hands, if you can. Move it around in your hands. Feel it. What is the weight? The heft? The texture? Where did you get the item? What meaning does it have for you? You can start your freewrite like this: “I want to tell you about . . .” Use sensory detail Sight: Color, shape Feel/Touch: Smooth, bumpy, texture Smell: “Smells like . . .” Sound/Hearing: If it makes a sound, what do you have to do to make the sound? More posts about Sensory Detail.
Reaching . . . Grasping . . . Prompt #737
Sit comfortably in your chair. Feet flat on floor. Hands on lap. Sit up tall. Take a deep breath in. Hold for a few counts. Release your breath. Take a couple more deep breaths. Relax into your chair. Notice your non-dominant hand. Lift it and rotate it in a circle a few times. Rotate opposite direction a few times. Gently stretch fingers out. Relax hand. Stretch and relax hand a couple more times. Stretch arm in front of you or to the side. Stretch and notice your arm. Relax Arm. Return hand to lap. Take a deep breath in. Hold breath for a few counts. Release your breath. Notice your dominant hand. Lift it and rotate it in a circle a few times. Rotate opposite direction a few times. Gently stretch fingers out. Relax hand. Stretch hand a couple more times. Stretch arm in front of you or to the…
A Simple Building
Memorable writing that sparks imagination. Lean in. Hear the writer’s voice on the page. A Simple Building By Cheryl Moore A simple building lacking in flare Why am I so often drawn there? Roaming its shelves, tasting its wares A whole wide world available there Journeys take me around the world And when I no longer want to roam Work on gardens, on business On cooking and art And English lit and Shakespeare To keep me smart Not to mention poetry To suit the fussiest muse So much to read, no time to lose. Cheryl Moore grew up in the mid-west, went to college in San Francisco, then lived in foreign lands before returning and eventually settling in Sonoma County. In recent years, she lives in a house and garden where deer nibble on roses, raccoons dine on fallen figs, and her bird feeders are busy. A nearby river offers…
Connections elevate our days . . .
“Because in a busy, noisy world, it is our connections with one another that truly elevate our days.” Real Simple editor Leslie Yazel Sept. 2017 I love finding quotes with the word, or the idea of, connections in them. I have been fascinated with the idea of connections for a long time. And so it isn’t a surprise that one of the books in The Write Spot series has the theme of connections. The Write Spot to Jumpstart Your Writing: Connections is currently on sale at Amazon. And available as a Kindle ereader. Here’s an excerpt of the updated Connections description: Ready to share your experiences but not sure how to start? Use this book of evocative essays and writing exercises to unlock your unique voice. Connections is a vastly diverse set of stories, vignettes, and poems. Choosing selections penned by interconnected individuals such as mothers and granddaughters, sisters, and…
Chatting . . . that connected feeling
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez “Chatting with a stranger makes you happy. Connecting with another person, even briefly—like talking to the barista brewing your coffee or a random seatmate on the train home from work—gives you a feeling of belonging and improves your mood.” — “Your Body’s Trying to Tell You” May 2016 Reader’s Digest
Recipe for Publishing Success
Sue Fagalde Lick writes about the ups and downs of being published. I have three books coming out next year: A memoir, a full-length poetry book, and a poetry chapbook. Different genres, different subjects, different publishers. I didn’t plan it this way, but it’s happening. I have also had a run of acceptances for short pieces. I should be overjoyed. Isn’t this what I wanted? But I feel guilty boasting about my three books when other writers are not able to get even one acceptance. It’s the “people are starving overseas while I’m complaining about ice cream making me fat” conundrum. After years of mostly no’s, I’m reading proofs, approving cover designs, and preparing for “pub dates” like a real writer. How will I promote three books at once? What if something goes wrong between the signing of the contract and holding the books in my hands? I’ll deal with it. Just…
You are a real writer if . . .
“You are a real writer if you are writing, if you are working on your craft, listening to critique, and striving to be better.” —Lauren Danhof Excerpt from the July/August 2023 issue of Writer’s Digest magazine #justwrite #iamawriter #iamwriting
Dorothy Parker’s Ashes
Dorothy Parker’s Ashes “Dorothy Parker’s Ashes” is an online magazine that publishes fresh, contemporary first-person essays and art by women and gender non-conforming writers. “For our contributors, middle-aged or older women who have seen a thing or two, the act of writing is the act of living more purely distilled. Many have spent their careers shepherding other writer’s work and now, in their retirement, they’ve got something to say. The longer we live, the more memories settle deep within, emitting an invisible, occasionally noxious gas. By giving them form, we set ourselves free. We elongate some things, cut others short. We probe the seams underneath for the weak spot, hoping the puncture of our attention will allow all the pent-up emotion to rush through the hole where it escapes with a long sigh. In the end, that is the reward. (In other words, we don’t pay.)— Rebecca Johnson and Bex O’Brian…
Shadows, fears, insecurities . . . Prompt #736
“We all have shadows, fears, insecurities, and doubts. Acceptance of them all leads us to realizing an unconditional love for ourselves. When we can begin to love the parts of ourselves that we’ve deemed to be unlovable, when we invite in our shadows and let them know they are welcome, when we acknowledge and become curious to our fears, doubts, and insecurities, then we begin to realize that our innate nature (Love) has the capacity to hold them all. Everything within us is part of us. When we accept this, our true nature is revealed.” —Alister Gray Writing Prompt: Explore your fears, doubts, and insecurities as a curious child would explore sand, rain, flowers. Observe. Imagine. Create. Invite your shadow self to peek around the corner. Take a deep breath in. Let it out. Another deep breath in. Hold for a moment. Release. Acknowledge your fears, doubts, and insecurities. Give…