Write about a surprise party you have been to.
Or a surprise party you have given.
Write about a time you were surprised at a party.
Today’s Writing Prompt: Surprise Party
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I am still waiting for . . . Prompt #230
I am still waiting for . . .Or . . .
I have stopped waiting for.
Write for 15-20 minutes. Post your freewrite on The Write Spot Blog.
Prompt: What are you still waiting for?
What have you stopped waiting for?
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Surprise! Prompt #229
Write about a time you were surprised . . . or caught off guard.
What happened? How did you react?
Writing Prompt: Surprise!
Type your freewrite and post on The Write Spot Blog.
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Valentine’s Day Blog Hop
The Write Spot Blog is fortunate to have a friend like Francis H. Powell. Even though we have never met in person, Francis is an important part of The Write Spot’s history. He invited us to join a Blog Hop last Halloween and last Christmas and now. . . drum roll. . . Valentine’s Day Blog Hop.
Before participating I had heard about blog hops, but didn’t really know what they were. Here’s how this Blog Hop works. When you click on Valentine’s Day Blog Hop (in future Write Spot posts), you land on Francis’ Blog Hop Landing Page. Scroll down and click on a name. Here is a brief summary of talented and creative writers participating in this Blog Hop.
Francis H. Powell, author of Flight of Destiny and creator of fabulous Blog Hops.
Latoya Wilson has beautiful photos on her website. She hopes her writing offers a warm refuge.
Tiffany Apan is a singer, songwriter, actress, award-winning producer, author of The Birthrite Series and other dark fiction.
Cheryllyn Dyess writes about a wide range of intriguing topics. She writes as Casey L. Bond
Angela Chrysler has an unusual and tantalizing invitation into her website.
Terri Bruce‘s adventure stories may be foreshadowed by her mesmerizing graphics and the invitation to her website: “Ordinary People. Extraordinary Words.”
Linzé Brandon blogs about books, writing and the creative life of a writer married to a photographer at Butterfly on a Broomstick.
Sarah Kohl writes about her adventurous experiences and travels on her blog.
Marlene Cullen’s The Write Spot Blog is a place for writers to post freewrites from the listed prompts.
Sundays – Book Reviews
Mondays – Inspiration to Just Write
Tuesdays – Quotes (watch for a new feature to be revealed soon)
Wednesdays and Fridays – Writing Prompts
Thursdays – Guest Bloggers
Saturdays – Places to Submit
Contact Marlene if you want to be a guest blogger and for posting book reviews.
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Penny for your thoughts. Prompt #227
Writing prompts are designed to spark your imagination and help you dip into your well of creativity. Using prompts, setting your timer for 15-20 minutes and writing freely, with no censorship, no editor sitting on your shoulder = a freewrite. Write whatever bubbles up for you. Write freely, write openly, write until your heart is content.
Today’s prompt: Penny for your thoughts. -
What I Learned . .. Prompt #221
So many possibilities for this prompt. You can write what you learned, what someone else learned, what your fictional character learned. Just write!
Writing Prompt: What I Learned
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Mystery Writing Magazines
Since The Write Spot Blog has been featuring Agatha Christie this past week, it seems right to post ideas where you can submit your mystery writing. At the end of this post, link to the writing style of Agatha Christie.
Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine welcomes submissions from both new and established writers. They publish “every kind of mystery short story: the psychological suspense tale, the deductive puzzle, the private eye case—the gamut of crime and detection from the realistic (including the policeman’s lot and stories of police procedure) to the more imaginative (including ‘locked rooms’ and ‘impossible crimes’). We need hardboiled stories as well as ‘cozies,’ but we are not interested in explicit sex or violence. We do not want true detective or crime stories.” With the exception of a regular book-review column and a mystery crossword, EQMM publishes only fiction.
EQMM is especially happy to review first stories by authors who have never before published fiction professionally. First-story submissions should be addressed to EQMM’s Department of First Stories.
Partial list of Submission Guidelines:
Three general criteria are employed in evaluating submissions:
Strong writing, an original and exciting plot, and professional craftsmanship.
Almost any story that involves crime or the threat of crime comes within purview. However, like all magazines, EQMM has a distinctive tone and style and you can only get a sense of whether your work will suit them by reading an issue. To receive a sample copy send a check or money order for $5.00 to Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Attn: Sandy Marlowe, 6 Prowitt St., Norwalk, CT 06855.
EQMM uses stories of almost every length. 2,500-8,000 words is the preferred range. Shorter stories are also considered, including minute mysteries of as little as 250 words.
EQMM uses an online submission system that has been designed to streamline the submission process and improve communication with writers.
For information about standard formatting, see William Shunn’s Guide to Proper Manuscript Format.
There are a variety of places that want your mystery writing:Alfred Hitchock Mystery Magazine
The Review Review (not a typo) – views on publishing
For ideas on how to write mystery stories, take a look at Freelance Writing: The writing style of Agatha Christie.
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Put that in your mustache . . . Prompt #219
As I searched for Agatha Christie quotes for Agatha Christie Week on The Write Spot Blog, I came across this one: “Put that in your mustache and smoke it.” ― Agatha Christie, Hallowe’en Party
I think it’s so funny. Let’s see how it works as a writing prompt.
“Put that in your mustache and smoke it.” Ready? Write!
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Take a step. Start the journey.
Hey there. . . Hi! If you are a first-time visitor, Welcome! I’m glad you are browsing The Write Spot Blog. Welcome to all readers and subscribers. I’m always happy to have readers and contributors participate in The Write Spot Blog.
“We” is me — a one-woman show. It’s just me, Marlene, offering inspiration and writing prompts to spark your writing.
Prompts are posted on Wednesdays and Fridays. Use these prompts however they best work for you. One suggestion is to set your timer for 15-20 minutes. Sometimes the best writing gets done with the pressure of a deadline. Write fast and furious.
Do not expect “perfect” writing. No one will read your freewrite, unless you invite them to. Freewrites come from within you and burst out during this time of writing freely. Sometimes when we’re writing freely, our mind takes a 90 degree turn and pretty soon we’re off, writing about something completely unrelated to the writing prompt. That is absolutely fine. This is the best kind of writing. This type of mind wandering is perfect writing.
The Write Spot Blog is a place where you can experiment with different types of writing: serious, personal, humorous, reflective, personal essay, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, playwriting, screen writing, letter writing.
It’s a place where you can work on your writing and play with writing. You can be yourself (memoir/personal essay), you can be someone else (fiction), you can be a reporter (non-fiction/ essay).
As you observe the world and its quirky inhabitants, explore your findings through writing. Work out your problems by writing. Write about your feelings. Write what you observe. Write about your day, your family, friends, your job, your wishes, your dreams, write about your frustrations. Make up stuff. Just write!
How to get into the mood to write.
Natalie Goldberg talks about writing practice.
Take a step. Start the journey. Explore by writing.Paris stairs by Jim C. March
http://jamescmarch.com/JimPhotos/index.html
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Behind the shutters. . . Prompt #218
You can respond to this prompt, using your personal experience, or write from your fictional character’s point of view.Writing Prompt: Behind the shutters.
I would love to see your writing, using this prompt.
Posting is kinda simple: If you aren’t registered on The Write Spot Blog. . . go ahead and register. Wait for a password. Then Log-on and post your writing.
Photo Credit: Pro_Deluxe Photography by Jeff Cullen
