The Write Spot Blog by Marlene Cullen

Tag: Writing freely. Just write. Writing Prompts. The Write Spot Blog.

  • How you became who you are . . . Prompt #838

    Write about how you became who you are.

    Why you are the way you are.

    Is it genetics, epigenetics, nature, nurture, not nurtured?

    Remember a pivotal event. Something happened that changed the trajectory of your life. You may not have known it at the time. But looking back, you might discover the “aha” moment.

    How to find that pivotal event, that “aha” moment:

    • Maybe there is a clue in something you write about repeatedly.
    • Scroll through your memory bank of photos, “see” a photo where you are frowning. What is that frown about?
    • There is an uncomfortableness when you remember a particular occasion.
    • You can also write about a highly emotional situation, starting with, “Here’s what happened . . .” You don’t have to think about an epiphany. Just write like a reporter, “Here’s what happened . . .”

    You might not find a pivotal event during this writing. However, if you keep writing, it might pop up.

    Just Write!

  • Write about yourself . . . Prompt #837

    Write about yourself.

    Ideas on how to start:

    Basically I am [optimistic], sometimes I am [pessimistic].

    When no one is listening, I [sing out oud].

    When no one is watching, I [dance].

    I am slow to [warm up to people].

    I quickly [form opinions].

    You can use these sentence starts:

    I am determined . . .

    Basically I am . . .

    Sometimes I am . . .

    When no one is listening, I . . .

    When no one is watching, I . . .    

    I am slow to . . .

    I quickly . . .

    I am determined . . .

    Marlene’s Musings:

    I have often thought about how to “show” body language when writing. When we interact with others, there is much about body language that conveys our mood, emotions, reactions. How to show these things? The Emotion Thesaurus to our rescue!

  • I was going to . . . Prompt #836

    I was going to . . . and then . . .

    OR:

    I planned to . . . but then . . .

    OR:

    I thought I would . . . but then . . .

  • Space . . . Prompt #834

    Write about a space you have been in:

    Library, cathedral, top of mountain, a castle, Grand Canyon, Grand Central station, Emporium, head spaces.

    A tight space, a small space, a crawl space, outer space.

    Just Write!

  • What do you want to let go of? . . . Prompt #833

    What do you want to let go of?

  • Success. Now vs then . . . Prompt #831

    Now vs then

    What did success mean to you when you were in your twenties?


    What does success look like to you now?

  • Spring Cleaning . . . Prompt #829

    close up shot of a person holding a woven basket
    Photo by Svetlana Afonina on Pexels.com

    Spring Cleaning time is here – will you be doing any cleaning?

    How about cleaning up more than your living space?

    Relationships?

    Goals?

    Write about Spring Cleaning.

  • Write What Is True

    “Don’t write what sounds clever, write what’s true.” —Ethan Canin

    Excerpted from “Novelist Curtis Sittenfeld Thinks Middle Age is Underrated,” by Lane Florsheim, The Wall Street Journal, March 1-2, 2025

    Sittenfeld continued with, “That’s good advice for writing, but it’s also good advice for how to be a person. It can be hard to be sincere, but I think you have a much greater chance of connection with others if you are.”

    Note From Marlene: You know what I say . . . Just Write!

    But, what if you can’t remember what’s true?

    “Write as honestly as you can about whatever it is.” Abigail Thomas

    “Perhaps” is another blog post that might help when you can’t quite remember exactly what happened.

    You know what to do . . .Just Write!

  • Forwards and Backwards . . . Prompt #827

    I bet you do this and perhaps don’t know it has an official name, or many names . . .

    Words that create new words when spelled backward are called: heteropalindromes, semordnilaps, semi-palindromes, half-palindromes, reversgrams, mynoretehs, reversible anagrams, word reversals, or anadromes.

    The term “semordnilap” is a playful invention. Though the term is relatively modern, the concept has been used for centuries.

    Lewis Carroll is known for creating “Semordnilap” (the reverse of Palindrome).  

    Examples of semordnilaps are found in the works of James Joyce, particularly “Finnegans Wake” (1939).

    Joyce was known for his experimental use of language, and “Finnegans Wake” is filled with complex puns, wordplay, and linguistic tricks. Although the book primarily focuses on palindromes and complex word formations, it also features instances where words and phrases take on new meanings when reversed or rearranged. Joyce’s innovative approach to language helped cement semordnilaps as a legitimate and intriguing form of literary expression.

    Semordnilaps have made their way into various forms of literature and pop culture, adding a layer of creativity and wit.

    For instance, in the Harry Potter series, the mirror in the Room of Requirement, called “Erised,” spells “Desire” backward and reflects the deepest desires of those who look into it.

    The above is excerpted from “Words Spelled Backwards to Form Other Words,” by Amandah.  

    Writing Prompt: Forwards and backwards.

    Use these words in your writing

    time – emit

    spot – tops

    bad – dab

    hey – yeh

    eh – he

    not – ton

    now – won

    was – saw

    straw – warts

    bat – tab

    brag – garb

    buns – snub

    decal – laced

    deer – reed
    desserts – stressed

    draw – ward
    drawer – reward

    evil – live
    flow – wolf

    gab – bag
    knits – stink
    lap – pal

    pool – loop

    mood – doom

    mug – gum

    nuts – stun
    part – trap

    paws – swap

    pets – step
    pins – snip

    snit – tins

    tide – edit

    Note:
    A list of Palindromes on The Write Spot Blog

  • A Break-up Letter

    Memorable writing that sparks imagination. Lean in. Hear the writer’s voice on the page.

    A Break-up Letter

    By CM Riddle

    Dear Time,

    Forget You!

    I am tired of the way you sneak up on me. Stealing moments and making plans that take forever to prepare, then the event flies by.

    I long for the days of following the sun and the moon and using its rhythm to play my own tune.

    You cause great stress upon me, as others in my life have depended on you so much that they expect me to follow you, too.

    Timecards, appointments, luncheons, and for God’s sake, Christmas!

    Give me a break, would you please?  I mean, the way you slip through my fingers!

    And as if the ticking tocks you whisper in my ear are not enough, you decided to line my face and give me grey my hair. 

    I need to get down and up slowly these days, and that is all because of you!

    You promised me a life, a long life with plenty of time, but here you are, stealing the moments, tracking the calendar, and honestly, I feel thrown under the bus every time I cancel a plan or run late, or just abandon ship!

    When did punctuality join this relationship? I am not into a threesome, but here we are. You, me,and having to be punctual. Well, screw that I say! Leave me to my internal clock, I don’t need you. I hate your face and the tattooed numbers around it. Every version of you brings stress and panic, fear, and internal mayhem.

    It’s easier to say tomorrow or next week, next month  –  with you – you insist on an hour and minute, I know by the hands all over your smug face. It’s the truth and you know it.

    I breathe easier without you clutching my wrist or when I “forget” to replace the battery in your giant face in the living room. I like it when you are disabled and oh-so-easy to forget!

    I can go on all day, all night about my pitiful relationship with you, but you are a giant ass-hat and when we are through you will still march on. As if I didn’t even exist for one second.

    Time heals, time repairs, time is order and time is fair. Oh, really? I don’t care.

    I am through with you and don’t forget, you heard it here first, that you are nothing more than a curse.

    You may not hear it every day. But there are sighs and cries, and dismay. 

    The only time someone has ever had anything good to say about time is THANK GOD THAT IS OVER! Whatever came their way has passed and that is the ONLY good thing about you. 

    Let’s not meet again.

    Sincerely, the best person that ever came your way. 

    Bye , Bitch!

    Read more of CM’s writing: Wild Man of the Hunt.

    Tina Riddle Deason writes under the name CM Riddle. She is an author, creator, mother, grandmamma, and a High Priestess. She has published several articles and books, including those about rituals and ceremonies. Tina lives with her husband and “fur-babies” in Rohnert Park, CA.