It’s the first Wednesday of the month so that means it’s time for our new writing prompt format. Each first Wednesday, I’ll post a set of random prompts and ideas that you can use throughout the month to either, write a short story, improve one aspect of your writing or even use it to spark…
Tag: stories
Wednesday Writing Prompts-Two POVS
We have three more writing prompts left for the year (including this one). In 2021, we’ll switch to monthly prompts where you can pick and choose from a whole bunch of ideas. So to say goodbye to the old style, I thought we’d mix things up for the rest of 2020. This week, here’s an…
Wednesday Writing Prompts-Image and a Line
October! Every month I try and come up with something different and decided we’d combine an image along with a line from the story. This first week, it’s this photo and let’s use an opening line which is dialogue between two characters. “I’ve never made anything besides toast, but I know I can do this….
How to Give Your Readers An Emotional Read
In the summer retreat I’m teaching, this week, we’ve been focusing on conflict and emotion. I told everyone that while we think we read books for entertainment, that’s only half the reason. The other being emotion. A great story makes you feel an emotion, whether it be joy, anger, fear etc. One easy way to…
What If You Hate A Character?
Can not liking one of your characters be stalling your story? I’d never really thought about that question until one of my students e-mailed me and said she felt it was the reason that her writing output was down. There’s no easy or right, yes or no, response. While I do think you…
Monday Motivation-Put in the Effort
Sometimes you have to give up other things in your life, maybe a hobby that you love, to get that book written. I look at it as hard work that pays off big time when you reach your goal.
Wednesday Writing Prompts-Another Strange Object
Thanks for all the feedback about the strange object prompt from last week…seems you loved the idea. Here’s the second one and I hope it also ignites your creativity. Have fun and happy writing.
Wednesday Writing Prompts-A Conversation
A new month and the start of a new set of prompts. I thought we’d use November to put some photo prompts to good use. Another idea was to use the prompts to practice various writing skills and this week it’s dialogue. Here’s the photo. Start with some dialogue. What are these two people saying…
Wednesday Writing Prompts-Sleeping Dogs
Another week, another prompt based on a saying and yes, a cute photo this week too… Let sleeping dogs lie Does your character take note of this saying, if not, what are the consequences for him or her? Are they the one dishing out this advice and what does it pertain to? For those…
Friday Ramblings From An Author-The Heat Goes On
Another hot humid day…you’ve probably guessed that neither freezing cold temperatures or humidity are my favorite weather terms. As I always say, look for a silver lining and both mean indoor time writing or reading. And yes, if I’m being honest, watching Netflix too. This week the short story class kicked off and I’ve…