So. . . what is all this talk about freewrites and writing prompts? What does it all mean? A freewrite is a style of writing that is . . . well. . . freeing. The writer hears or reads a word, or a phrase, and just starts writing. Often a timer is set, so there is the “under the gun” feel of a deadline, a limited time to write. Click here for more information about freewrites. I post writing prompts writing prompts, on The Write Spot Blog. Sometimes the writing prompts are fun and playful. Sometimes they inspire memoir type writing. Other times they work well for fiction writing. Mostly the prompts are what you make of them. . . you can go light and stay on the surface, skating on the edge, or you can go deep. This type of writing is an opportunity to explore and perhaps come…
Category: Just Write
McSweeny’s Internet Tendency wants your humor
McSweeny’s Internet Tendency is in the market for short, conceptual humor. “We strongly recommend reading through our archives to get a sense of the style of writing we’re after.” Editor Christopher Monks says, “We want to draw you [the reader] in quickly with a funny title and an easy-to-latch-onto concept.” Monks “looks for a mixture of lowbrow and highbrow humor, with reference to pop culture and current events.” — The Writer magazine, June 2015 Length: 1,00 words is ideal Send: In the body of the email Payment: “There will likely be none. If there is any, it may come very late or in unusual currency.” Why you should submit to Tendency: “Writers don’t get rich writing for Tendency; however they often find their work reprinted on other literary websites.” Click here for submission guidelines.
Le rire mécanique
If you want to write comedies, or include humor in your writing, you might want to know about “Le rire mécanique.” The phrase translates as “mechanical laughter.” I first came across this phrase in the June 2015 issue of The Writer magazine, in an article by Alicia Anistead. Anistead wrote about the French philosopher Henri Bergson and his theory that “whenever real life is suddenly interrupted by a mechanistic imposition, like the banana peel, it is disruptive and triggers laughter.” Bergson called this “le rire mécanique.” Bergson developed a theory of how laughter is provoked and described the process of laughter (in particular portrayals by comics and clowns) as “the caricature of the mechanism nature of humans (habits, automatic acts, etc.).” Wikipedia Anistead ends her article with a quote by Harvard professor Bob Scanlan, “It [le rire mécanique] pounces on you and catches you unexpectedly. That’s why the pratfall is…
An editor can offer a valuable worthwhile assessment . . .
An editor can offer a valuable worthwhile assessment of writing that can help move the manuscript closer towards publication. — Brian A. Klems, Writers Digest Magazine, October 2012 Note from Marlene: Editors are totally valuable and necessary to fact-check, spot-check, double-check and make you, the writer, look good. What does an editor do? Click here to check out the series of April 2015 blog posts by editors on The Write Spot Blog. So . . . Just Write! Give those editors something to think about! Then work with an editor to whip your manuscript into shape. Doesn’t this kitchen whip look like a magic wand? With the help of an editor to shape your writing. . . it just might feel like a magic wand was waved!
Redwood Writers, a branch of oldest writers’ organization . . .
Redwood Writers, a branch of the California Writers Club (CWC), has ongoing writing contests. Click Redwood Writers Contests to read about the current contest. “Whether you’re a traditionally published author or ‘just always wanted to write,’ there’s a place for you at CWC Redwood Branch.” CWC is one of the oldest writers’ organizations in the nation. Members are poets, journalists, essayists, technical writers, and creators of genre and literary fiction, as well as editors, booksellers, and others involved in related fields. There are branches throughout California. Click California Writers Club to find a branch near you. To enter a Redwood Writers branch contest, you must be a member. California residence is not required to be a member. Click Redwood Writers Membership for member information. Submit! You never know. . . the next contest winner could be you!
You are the person you are intended to be . . .
“Do not obsess about flaws and shortcomings. You are the person you are intended to be . . . You were put here for a reason. No one else has your unique talents. No one else sees the world through your eyes and experiences. Be yourself and share with others. No one can tell your story but you.” B. Lynn Goodwin, “Celebrate Your Uniqueness.” Originally posted in Inspire Me Today, January 2, 2014 Note from Marlene: Do not obsess about whether or not you are a writer. If you have something you want to write about . . . simply pull out a chair, sit down and . . . Just write! Lynn Goodwin is the owner of Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com, which is currently holding its 10th Flash Prose Contest (deadline 4/21/15). She’s the author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers, and a YA called Talent,…
Beloit Poetry Journal wants your poems
April is Poetry Month Beloit Poetry Journal is looking for “a wide range of forms and styles in contemporary poetry. We are always watching for new poets, quickened language, and poems that offer a new purchase on the political or social landscape.” “The editors at BPJ offer personal notes on almost all the submissions they receive, whether accepted or rejected for publication. In return, they ask potential contributors to study the guidelines on the website, resist the urge to send simultaneous submissions. . . and read numerous poems in the online archived issues.” — The Writer Magazine, April 2015 Click here for submission guidelines.
The 2015 Voices of Lincoln Poetry Contest
April is Poetry Month! The 2015 Voices of Lincoln Poetry Contest is sponsored by the Lincoln Library and Friends of the Lincoln Library. You do not have to be a resident of Lincoln to enter contest. You may submit a maximum of three (3) poems: one poem in each category, for a total of three poems. Poems may be in rhyme, free verse, Haiku or other accepted poetry forms and of any length, up to a maximum of 60 lines. Young Poets, 18-years of age or under, are encouraged to submit poems and will compete in a special “Young Poets” category. The 2015 Contest includes Five Categories: Only In America Happy Endings Strange But True Unforgettable If Pets Could Talk 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners selected in each category. Poems should be typewritten and not centered. Use Arial font 12-point. List the title of the poem and the category…
Open your heart and turn on creativity.
Learn the craft of knowing how to open your heart and to turn on your creativity. There’s a light inside of you. — Judith Jamison Marlene’s Musings: Once you open your heart to your creativity, you can explore many options for expressing your creativity: Painting, sculpture, song-writing, fabric art, stenciling, sketching and more and, of course, my favorite: Freewrites. What are freewrites? Time spent freely writing whatever your heart desires and whatever your creativity suggests to you. Just write! Let your light shine. Share your work, share your passion. Post your writing here, on The Write Spot Blog. Click here for writing prompts and more writing prompts here.
WriterAdvice seeks flash fiction, memoir and creative non-fiction
WriterAdvice seeks flash fiction, memoir, and creative non-fiction, 750 words or less. “Enlighten, dazzle, and delight us.” Finalists receive responses from all judges. DEADLINE: April 21, 2015 PRIZES: First Place earns $200; Second Place earns $100; Third Place earns $50; Honorable Mentions will also be published. FOR BEST RESULTS: Include your name, contact information, and title in the cover letter, but only include your title in the submission so it remains anonymous. Indicate if the submission is fiction, non-fiction or memoir in the cover letter. Double-space your submission, 14-point font that is easy to read. Times New Roman, Cambria, and Ariel all spring to mind. Submissions are read as blind submissions so put both your name and your title in your cover letter but leave them off your manuscript. SUBMISSIONS: All entries should be submitted through Submittable. Click here for the Submission Details. You may enter UP TO THREE stories,…