Breathe, focus, keep your head down and . . .

keep going.

— Christina Baker Kline, interviewed by Alicia Anstead in the October 2014 issue of The Writer Magazine.

Or, as Dory sings in Finding Nemo, “Just keep swimming. . . swimming. . . swimming. . . ”

At some point in your writing life, you may think your writing is no-good, awful, horrible and no one would want to read it.

Join the Ark. Most writers, I think, are in that boat at least once.

Take the advice of Christina Baker Kline, author of Orphan Train, “Breathe, focus, keep your head down and keep going.”

Click here if you want prompts to jumpstart your writing. Click on “Comments” on any of the Write Spot Blog posts to read inspirational writing.

And just keep swimming, swimming. . . writing, writing.

Marlene C

September 30, 2014

Just Write

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What do you want? Prompt #110

What do you want?

Set your timer and write for 15 or 20 minutes. See what comes up for you.

If this prompt is too “open” or vague for you, how about this:

What do you want to do today? If you could do anything you want. . . what would you like to do today?

You can answer for yourself, or as your fictional character would answer. This might be a fun way to get to know your fictional character(s) a little deeper.

Above all, have fun with this prompt!

Laffing Sal

Marlene C

September 29, 2014

Prompts

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Scene Two: Other character’s POV. Prompt #109

Using the same scene you wrote about for Prompt #108, write from the other person’s point of view. All inner thought, motivation and drama come from the secondary character’s point of view.

Or take any two characters: First write from one point of view, then write from the other person’s point of view.

Marlene C

September 24, 2014

Prompts

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Are emails and FB Posts writing?

Do you think emails and Facebook posts can be considered as “writing?”

I do!

You are writing and communicating. Have fun with your writing . . . wherever that takes you. Your writing is your personal, and sometimes public, journey. Wherever your writing lands . . . Just write!

Marlene C

September 23, 2014

Just Write

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Scene One: Your point of view. Prompt #108

Today’s writing prompt is inspired from “Falling Down the Rabbit Hole” by Emily Hanlon, December 2007 issue of Writer’s Digest magazine.

Using an incident from your life, or your fictional character’s life, write a scene from your point of view (or, your fictional character’s point of view). Use dialogue. Inner thought is what defines point of view. The other character in this scene speaks and acts, but the reader doesn’t know the secondary character’s thoughts. All the inner thoughts belong to the point-of-view character.

Basically, you are writing about an argument or a fight, or a heated debate between two people . . . yourself or your fictional character, and a secondary character, using dialogue.

Marlene C

September 22, 2014

Prompts

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Writing can offer solace and salvation.

From the October 2014 issue of Writer Magazine, “Writers on Writing,” Roxane Gay:

“Writing, at its best and truest, can offer solace and salvation for both readers and writers.”

Marlene’s Musings: Sometimes we want to read something good, just like we want comfort food. We need you, Writers, to do your best to create those words that soothe and settle us.

Use the prompts sprinkled throughout The Write Spot Blog and Just Write!

Marlene C

September 16, 2014

Just Write

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Write about a vivid or recurring dream. Prompt # 106

Write about a vivid or recurring dream.

Marlene C

September 15, 2014

Prompts

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Write a thank you note . . .Prompt #103

Write a thank you note . . . either for a tangible, or intangible gift, either for a gift you truly liked, or something you saw as annoying or difficult at first. . . but later saw the value or the good of the gift.

Marlene C

September 3, 2014

Prompts

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The most important tool . . . to help me make the big choices in life — Steve Jobs

The subject of death may be uncomfortable or difficult for some. And yet, we are all going to die . . . some time. . . somehow. Here’s a quote from Steve Jobs.

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” — Steve Jobs

Note from Marlene: Writing. . . letting others read your writing . . . can make you feel vulnerable, afraid and weak in the knees. And yet, when we pay attention to our desire to write and when we write. . . it’s such a satisfying feeling. So, I say, let go of your fears. . . be brave. . . write and share your writing. Go for it and Just Write.