Write about: ~ Childhood games, favorite games, games you played over and over again. ~ What games do you like now? ~ What game would you like to teach someone? ~If you don’t like playing games, write about that.
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.
Nothing to Write About
Memorable writing that sparks imagination. Lean in. Hear the writer’s voice on the page. Nothing to Write About By Maeve Riley Day 30, May 6 The nearly full moon is rising over the mountains across from our house. It’s blinding to look at and negates any need for a headlamp. Luca paces around, damp from the river, hoping for a second dinner. Marley is content under a blanket on the green velvet couch; he’s seen plenty of full moons in his time. I stand outside in shorts that I bought ten years ago at the mall in Merced when I was in college. They are a deep red with black stripes and have the Hogwarts emblem printed all over. I am barefoot, my feet somehow still dirty from the garden even though I just showered. I also have on a pink and purple sweater that I bought at a thrift…
Character Sketch . . . Prompt #626
Finish sentences as your fictional character would. OR: Write your responses, as author/writer. My full name is (include maiden name and middle name): I live at or near . . . I live with . . . I usually wear . . . I want . . . I hope . . . People would be surprised to know that I . . . I am happiest when . . . I daydream about . . . If I had my way . . . I don’t understand . . . I get angry when . . . People wouldn’t like it if they knew . . . I never told anyone that I . . . If I were in charge . . . My hobbies are . . . My favorite breakfast . . . My pet peeves . . . My favorite drink . . . My…
The best-loved stories . . .
The best-loved stories are not from books or films, but those from our own families. Jayne McGarve
Inspiration to “Just Write”
Thank you for visiting The Write Spot Blog. I hope you find motivation to Just Write from these blog posts. I feel like I’ve been hibernating. I guess I needed a rest. You might be feeling that way, too. In these difficult times, it’s hard for some to be motivated. After the glitter of December, I enjoyed being quiet in January. February 1st seems like a good time to start a new writing year! My flexible blog post schedule: Monday: Inspiration to write Tuesday: Quotes about writers/writing Wednesday: Writing Prompt Thursday: Guest Blogger Friday: Writing Prompt Saturday: Places to submit your writing Sunday: Book Reviews Memorable writing posted randomly on the Sparks page I don’t post every day. I don’t want to overwhelm anyone, including myself! If you want to contribute to The Write Spot Blog: ~ Send your inspirational thoughts about writing, or the writing life ~ Email writerly…
Wordrunner eChapbooks Anthology 2022
Does a new year inspire you to reach your goals of submitting your writing to publications? Here’s an idea to start off the new year. Send your writing to Wordrunner eChapbooks anthology. Wordrunner eChapbooks Anthology 2022 Submissions will open January 1 through February 28, 2022. There is no theme. “We simply want to publish your best writing.” Guidelines Submit up to three poems (no longer than a page each) or three flash fictions (750 to 1,000 words each), or one short story, novel or memoir excerpt, or a personal essay (up to 5,000 words). There are separate categories for each genre (poetry, fiction, nonfiction). You may submit to more than one category. Send your best. All submissions to the anthology must be previously unpublished. No genre fiction (horror, fantasy, mystery), please, unless a story transcends its genre. Literary/speculative fiction is acceptable. Fees for submissions to the anthology: $3. These fees cover basic operational…
Traditions
Memorable writing that sparks imagination. Lean in. Hear the writer’s voice on the page. Traditions Rebecca Olivia Jones Grandma used flashing colorful lights and handfuls of tinsel like a grotesque costume on her Christmas tree. I loved its tacky design. I watched it before I fell asleep on the couch the night before our Boxing Day. My brother chose to sleep on the floor to be nearer the presents waiting under and all around the tree. Grandma was very democratic in her gift giving to all her younger grandchildren. Five of us were one year apart; Pam 10, Becky 9, Patrick 8, Byron 7, and Danny 6. We each received a large box filled with a bunch of recycled smaller boxes. Grandma would even re-use Tampax boxes for the smallest gifts. Pam and I were thrilled to receive, for example, a doll, a rhinestone necklace, fuzzy slippers and a box…
The last straw . . . Prompt #625
Writing Prompt: The last straw . . . #amwriting #justwrite #creativewriting #iamawriter
Winter Solstice 2021
Memorable writing that sparks imagination. Lean in. Hear the writer’s voice on the page. Winter Solstice 2021 By M.A. Dooley This blessed day when the light returns, I stand on the mountain of my home Grounded at 7:59 AM and look up. The round moon wanes floating over Saucer clouds docked in the west. A soft haze hangs between me and my Shire, Layered hillocks of veiled emerald, Taste wet and lush as if the drought is over. The sun rises behind a filter of grey Cotton balls connected at fluffy centers like Fat caterpillars in the sky. When the time rings for a celestial split, A tear in the cotton, A thin sliver of blue blinks open And the sun sears my eyes Carving the womb of awakening. I am the field of green softened by one ray, I am the strong back of the moon, Light as the…
A Little Louder, Please
Memorable writing that sparks imagination. Lean in. Hear the writer’s voice on the page. A Little Louder, Please Susan Zahl Bono Christmas 2005 I must be going deaf. It’s the season when yuletide TV ads are louder and brighter than the shows they’re interrupting, but I don’t seem to be hearing their message. December is swinging into its second week and I haven’t bought any presents. Last weekend, my husband wrestled the fake tree into the living room and wrapped it with lights, but if that’s as far as we get, I’m not going to be heartbroken about it. At night with those little lights glowing, I can almost forget the ornaments are missing. These are my dark ages. My kids are too old to believe in Santa and too young to make grandchildren. They stopped caring about trees and holiday trappings about the time we gave in to their…