Writing Prompt: Don’t tell anyone . . . #justwrite #iamawriter #iamwriting
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.
Divine Candy
Memorable writing that sparks imagination. Lean in. Hear the writer’s voice on the page. Divine Candy By Sandra de Helen On Route 66, Dead Man’s Curveour house with an outhouse on seven acreswith no running water,no candy store in sight. We ate the eggs our chickens lay,beans, potatoes, and greensMom picked in the woods.No sweets except on holidays. Grandma baked pies,Aunt Mame made candy:Chocolate fudge, peanut butter bars,and her heavenly divinity. Billowy clouds of white sugar,studded with walnuts Mame herselfpicked out with her prized nutcracker set. Black walnuts the family gathered togetherto gather from alongside gravel roadsof the nearby countryside. Once each year every small familywithin our larger familywere gifted a decorated boxof Aunt Mame’s treasured sweets. We rationed them, made them lastby savoring each bite with the mindfulnesswe’ve long since forgotten. Only my sister and I are left to recallour Aunt Mame and her gifts.No one thought to ask…
A Safe Place . . . Prompt #642
Today’s writing prompt starts with a visualization. Sit back. Relax. Breathe in deeply. Release and relax as you breathe out. Let go. Let your mind relax. Settle into your chair. Nothing for you to do right now, except be here. Nowhere for you to go. Let your mind drift. Go back to a time when you were little … 4 or 6 or 7 years old. A time when the world was fresh to you. Filled with new sights, adventures and exploring. A time when there was magic in the air. Full of possibilities. Take a deep breathe in and settle into your comfortable space. No worries. No hurries just now. This is your time, in your special place. Imagine or remember what your world was like when you were 4 or 6 or 7 years old. When everyone was taller than you. Everyone seemed wiser than you. But you…
Jon Batiste, radar, and writing
“I believe this to my core, there is no best musician, best artist, best dancer, best actor,” he began. “The creative arts are subjective and they reach people at a point in their lives when they need it most. It’s like a song or an album is made and it’s almost like it has a radar to find the person when they need it the most.” — Jon Batiste, during his 2022 Grammy winner for best album acceptance speech I think writing can be included in the creative arts category. When we’re lucky, our writing radar picks up news and events when we need them to enhance our writing. And that includes writing communities like The Write Spot. Welcome! I’m so glad you are here. The Write Spot Resources Page: Writing Blogs and Websites Places to submit writing Community groups Writing magazines ~Marlene #justwrite #iamwriting #iamawriter
Shaman Heart, Turning Pain Into Passion and Purpose
“Shaman Heart, Turning Pain Into Passion and Purpose”, a Brave Healer Production, invites readers to develop a shaman heart — one that can only be obtained by coming through our darkest moments more healed and whole and then lighting the way for others. As the anthology’s lead author, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and teacher Stephanie Urbina Jones writes, “Whether it’s a death of a loved one, divorce, illness or depression, we can turn our pain into an initiation and be a sacred witness or messenger in these bittersweet, crossroad moments in life. From this place of humbled, broken-open wisdom and grace, we can then walk with others and assist them as they journey through their own darkness to the dawn of a new beginning.” The genesis for Shaman Heart occurred on January 5, 2022, when Urbina Jones and 25 other leading spiritual teachers, preachers, and healers spent a week together at the Dreaming House in the heart of Mexico. “Each author…
Brevity Blog seeks submissions
Brevity Blog is the place to discuss issues related to the writing of creative nonfiction. “Though we don’t shy away from important issues in the writing community, the Brevity blog can also often be colloquial, personal, and at times irreverent or humorous, and our most popular posts tend to be those that are the least academic.” Appropriate topics for the Blog include the craft of writing nonfiction, issues in editing and publishing, writing conference and creative writing classroom experiences, interviews with writers or editors, prompts, close reading of essays or essayists, or specific issues that challenge us as we attempt to capture true experiences on the page. Word Count: 500 to1,000 word range (sweet spot is 850). Brevity Online Journal also welcomes submissions.
The next thing . . . Prompt #641
Writing Prompt: The next thing I want to do . . . Just Write! #justwrite #iamawriter #iamwriting
On My Mind . . . Prompt #640
Today’s Writing Prompt: What’s really on my mind . . . Just Write!~ #justwrite #iamawriter #iamwriting
Instructions for See’s Candy: A Love Song Learned from My Mother
Memorable writing that sparks imagination. Lean in. Hear the writer’s voice on the page. Instructions for See’s Candy: A Love Song Learned from My Mother By Susy Pareto “Life is a box of chocolates. Here’s how you do it,” she said without another word. Pick up a piece. chocolate filling marzipan truffle bricklePause to note the smooth, warm texture between thumb and finger. Now, bring it to your mouth,And slowly, steadily, bite down. Teeth cut through the buttery darknessLike cutting blades on a garden clipperThe sweetness seeps out like sap covers the tongue coats the palate transforms the sides into cool …
The Freedom of Freewrites
The freedom to write whatever you want. Writing freely is like soaring with no limitations. Freewrites can lead to: ~ Ruminating, resulting in new thoughts. ~ Discovery, leading to innovative realizations ~ Revelations, finding the “aha” ~ Exciting, uncover fresh ideas ~ Jubilations, the joy of making connections Writing prompts can help generate writing. There are over 800 writing prompts on The Write Spot Blog, as well as a list of places where you can submit your writing. Just Write! #justwrite #iamwriting #iamawriter