Write about something you wish you could un-do or un-see or un-know. You can use this prompt to write about yourself, someone you know, or write how your fictional character would respond. Just write!
Revision: When the really big ideas show up.
Today’s Guest Blogger Rachael Herron has this to say about revision. I’m back in the middle of revision of a book, and I’m finally swimming in the water I love. What I adore about revision is this: I know the world. I invented it, after all! When I open the document, I’m right in the middle of something I understand. It’s much easier, for me, to drop in for hours and rest on the page. It’s also easier to come out of, to shake off. First drafts remain torture for me. So many of you love the first drafts, and I can admit that sometimes, the writing of new words is glorious. You surprise yourself with a turn of phrase that you’re pretty sure is genius and has probably never been said before. The plot bends and a tree you wrote about comes to life and points a branched finger…
Promises not kept. Prompt #344
Write about promises not kept.
Epoch Magazine
EPOCH is an open forum for literary fiction, poetry, essays, screenplays, cartoons, graphic art, and graphic fiction. Reading Period: September 15 to April 15 Guidelines: Submissions by mail only, addressed to the appropriate editor: e.g. Fiction Editor, Poetry Editor, Essay Editor. Screenplays, cartoons, graphic art, and graphic fiction should be so labeled on the envelope. Good Luck
Write Memoir in Voice of Narrator
Whether you tell your story chronologically, or with flashbacks, or with intercutting, it’s important to write your memoir in the voice of the narrator. Examples of these different ways of telling a story are used in The Write Spot Anthology: Discoveries. “Maintaining a solid narrative structure is critical to ensure readers move in step with the sequence of life events. . . When they [readers] can follow your progression as a character, they can also fully enter your story.” —Dorit Sasson, “Refresher Course,” The Writer, February 2016 Note from Marlene: When writing about something that happened in childhood, use appropriate age-based language. Show character growth by using adult language when writing about the character as an adult. Examples of narrative structure, character growth and details on how to use intercutting in your writing can be found in The Write Spot Anthology: Discoveries.
Helen – Literary and Arts Magazine
Helen – A Literary and Arts Magazine is published biannually in innovative print options and digital media. In Spring 2016, Helen moved from a traditional print form to a more innovative structure. Most writing is published online except for the micro prose printed on poker chips to celebrate their hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. “Our goal is to inspire and support emerging writers in all genres.” They also publish a weekly blog series called “Friday Night Specials.” Submit: Contests Visual Prompts Visual Prompt Contest
Write so the reader is a part of the experience
“A writer’s problem does not change. It’s always how to write truly and having found what is true, to project it in such a way that it becomes a part of the experience of the person who reads it.” — Ernest Hemingway Photo by Breana Marie
Someday . . . Prompt #343
Today’s Writing Prompt: Someday . . . I like the possibilities this prompt suggests, perhaps an opportunity for reflection. Note from Marlene: Write whatever comes up for you. Trust the process of free writing. Write with no worries about the outcome. Write for yourself with no cares about the end product. Just Write! Photo by Christina Gleason.
Personal Essay As Therapy
“One reason we choose to write essays instead of another kind of nonfiction piece is because we can use the personal essay as a kind of therapy. Sometimes the act of writing gives us the opportunity to work through the conflict and come up with another way of looking at the situation. As the writer explores her problem, owns it, and then comes up with a resolution that will change how she relates to her problem in the future, the reader will be looking at her own life and doing the same thing. That’s why the essayist must be committed to the process of discovery and must be as honest as she possibly can be about what she uncovers. More than any other piece of nonfiction, the personal essay has to be written and rewritten and rewritten, often many times, to get to the heart of what it is we…
Wordrunner: Rites of Passage
Wordrunner is accepting fiction, memoir and poetry, with the theme rites of passage for an echapbook anthology to be published March 2018. The rites of passage theme includes any kind of passage through life, time or space. Submissions will be open from December 1, 2017 through January 31, 2018. * Submit up to three poems or a short story, novel or memoir excerpt, or personal essay (1,000 to 5,000 words). There are separate categories for each genre (poetry, fiction, nonfiction). Note that really long poems are not suitable for this venue. Send us your best. *Note from Marlene: Polish your writing now, so you will be ready to submit during the submissions timeline. Payment: $100 for collections, $5 to $25 for poems, stories and essays published in the annual anthology. Submission fee: $2 for poems; $3 for prose All rights revert to authors.