Writing Prompt: All Summer Long . . .
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.
Help might be where you least expect it. Just ask.
Excerpted from “Where Do You Hang Your Hammock?: Finding Peace of Mind While You Write, Publish, and Promote Your Book” by Bella Mahaya Carter. When you’re out there promoting your book, you’ll have to ask for all sorts of things. This might feel hard. You may make up stories, such as I don’t want to “bother” people or be a nuisance. You may feel as if you have no right to ask for what you want. You may even feel, deep down, as if there’s something wrong with asking. Of course, nobody likes rejection, either. We don’t want to hear the word “no.” But how people respond has more to do with them than with you. If you can blow by the nos, you’ll pick up enough yeses along the way. So don’t let that stop you. Those stories running through your head, that make asking for what you want seem unsavory, doesn’t mean…
Redivider
Redivider is a literary journal produced by the graduate students in the Writing, Literature, and Publishing program at Emerson College in the vibrant literary hub of Boston. Published digitally in the autumn and spring, Redivider welcomes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and graphic narrative submissions from emerging and established writers. “And if you’re wondering about the name—it’s a palindrome!” “Each year, we host the Blurred Genre Contest and Beacon Street Prize. Winners of these contests receive cash prizes, and their work is featured online in a subsequent issue of our journal.” Recently, Redivider shifted to a digital platform. Publishing issues online allows the voices of contributors to reach more readers as web content is free for all. Submission Guidelines
If only . . . Prompt #594
Writing Prompt: If only I had or hadn’t . . .
Play . . . Prompt #593
Today’s writing prompt is . . . Play. Here’s my play on the word play: Playwriting. Play at writing. Be playful about writing. Go to a play: Sit. Watch. Listen. Go to a playground: Run. Swirl. Fly. Put into a playpen: Baby. Puppy. Kittens. Be playful: Tweak an ear. Nudge a rib. Flirty smile. Play around: Scandal. Heartbreak. Disrupt. Play through: Move aside. Slow poke. One act play: Short Three act play: Three sections: Beginning, middle, end. Play: Vacation, sand, beach, Coppertone. Play date: Strollers, nanny, my house or yours? La Playa: Mexican beach, Tequila, Sunrise, Margaritaville. Play around: No-no? Play around at writing: Yes-yes! Your turn: Write on the word “play.”
Los Padres Lope
Memorable writing that sparks imagination. Lean in. Hear the writer’s voice on the page. Los Padres Lope By DS Briggs They hit the trailhead of the Lone Condor Trail in Los Padres National Forest. After last night’s party complete with hot tub and paper umbrella drinks, Michelle was in a fragile state. Hungover was not how she envisioned starting a ten-day backpack. The trail started gently. The meadows still full of flowers and new greenery. The transformation from scrub and madrone to wild grasses and wild flowers was amazing and spoke to the renewal of life. The vigil she stood last April seemed long, long ago. For days they had wondered if anything would be left of the forest. The fire capriciously jumped here and there. Michelle’s Go Bag was packed and stowed safely in her red convertible. While the ashy gray skies rained over the hillside community, in the…
We are all storytellers.
“We are all storytellers. We are constantly telling each other about our lives—what happened to us. What we saw, what we thought. We share news of dramatic events in our lives and the lives of our friends. We tell jokes. We share dreams and memories. Starting with these kinds of ‘tellings’ can be a good way to begin our practice of writing stories.” —The Writer’s Path: A Guidebook for Your Creative Journey : Exercises, Essays, and Examples by Todd Walton and Mindy Toomay More books on writing.
Reading Nook
Reading is part of writing. Read to become a better writer, to be entertained, and to learn. Finding a special place to read is divine. Today’s post is inspired by Evan Dunn, writer at Porch.com. and inspired by the concept of Hygge. Excepted from Evan’s article about creating a Reading Nook: If you love to curl up with your favorite books, a Reading Nook can be the perfect way to enjoy this beloved pastime. From nonfiction books to thrillers and romance novels, reading is one of the best ways to relax and escape from the stresses of everyday living. If you’re thinking about creating your own Reading Nook, read on for some tips and tricks that will inspire you to craft a perfect reading space. Why Create a Reading Space? For those who have a habit of reading often, creating your own special space will make it even more enjoyable. There are lots…
Qwerty Magazine
The submission period for Qwerty Magazine, Issue No. 44, Winter 2022 is now open. Qwerty is a graduate student-run magazine at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, Canada. Work submitted between now and September 2021 may not be read and responded-to immediately. The number one criterion, above all else, is mastery of craft. “Though Qwerty has primarily published literary fiction and fine art, we have no qualms with publishing genre fiction that subverts convention, experimental work that inverts tradition in pursuit of innovative storytelling, or images that play on the senses in unusual ways. So go ahead: send us your stories that tap into the lower depths of the public consciousness. And also send us your poems and photos about the zombie apocalypse. So long as it’s exemplary, we’d be delighted to feature your work in future issues of Qwerty.” Fiction/Creative Non-Fiction: previously unpublished fiction and creative non-fiction up to 5,000 words in…
After Retirement . . . Prompt #592
After Retirement By Ron SalisburyWhat were you thinking Eunice askedas the fireman who had strapped meto his back brought me down fromthe eucalyptus on the engine ladder.It seem like such a good idea, justnail little boards to the tree and keepclimbing. The canopy of things up there,a complete universe, distance like future.Thinking was something I usually did.Then one day stopped. Idea doesn’t haveboundaries, besides, I had these little boardsleft over from the fence. Note from Marlene: When the prompt is a poem, you can write on the mood or the theme of the poem, a line, or a word. Just Write! You are welcome to comment on my Writers Forum Facebook Page. Ron Salisbury “Since the seventh grade, all I’ve ever wanted to be is a poet. It is a great honor to be chosen as San Diego’s first Poet Laureate. This appointment will empower me to represent the dynamic San Diego…