Category Archives: Weekly Writing Prompt

Weekly Writing Prompt — Feb. 16, 2011 Edition

Writers:

Apologies for the delay in your weekly nudge to focus on your art and passion. It’s been one of those days. I should have known when I nearly sent this out last night and thought, “Nah, you can do it in the morning as normal….” As they say, “the best laid plans.” However, that was my intuition telling me to get ahead of things. I’ve noticed that as writers, we have a stronger intuition than most (regardless of gender). It’s because we people watch and we understand what motivates us human beings to do the wild and wacky things that create the groundwork for stories.

My intuition today is telling me that your assignment needs to be something to support the larger writing community. More specifically to support those that support authors the best — your independent book stores. I’m linking a blog entry here that I want you to read:

http://www.examiner.com/books-in-seattle/5-things-you-can-do-to-save-your-local-bookstore

This is a sad trend and goes above and beyond the normal attrition for such businesses. Books are a huge part of our culture. These independent sellers bring that culture to you in a less commercialized and real way. They also tend to be more author-friendly both as far as sales go and in support for book tours and the like.

Your writing prompt this week is to do two of those five things. I’m shouting from the rooftop now and I try to buy books first directly from the author — at their Web site (which often ties back to their seller of choice) or at a signing — or from an independent seller.

If you haven’t visited an independent book store recently, I encourage you to do so.

In fact our next field trip is likely going to bring us to an independent book store — more on that next week.

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Next order of business is to expect a survey. I wanted to have it done today for you all. But, it won’t happen until likely next week — and that’s only if my day job eases off so I can concentrate on other things. I also have to sit through a long seminar on Thursday night, so I might work on it then. Regardless, when you get the invite for the survey (it’s all done online), please take the few minutes to fill it out. It will help guide us throughout the next year on what we can do to help writers reach new literary peaks.

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And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“A writer should have the precision of a poet and the imagination of a scientist.”
Vladimir Nabokov quote


What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron

Weekly Writing Prompt — Jan. 19, 2011 Edition

Howl at the Moon. No really. Go outside and Howl at it. Then come inside and write a story that feature’s tonight’s Wolf Moon in its story. Come on you know it’s getting under your skin and in between your ears and raging to come out and spill across the page and fill the night with the story inside of you. Let it out. Write. Write. Write. Very appropriate, I think for Edgar Allen Poe’s birthday. I think I just saw a raven fly across the moon. Caw!

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You didn’t go howl? :: taps foot :: I’m waiting.

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I’ll know if you didn’t do it. And I’ll know if you haven’t been writing.

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Okay, come Sunday (Jan. 23 — yes THIS Sunday, Linda). We’re going to be talking about using your creativity to maybe pitch some non-fiction stuff. 3 p.m. North Bend Library Meeting room. RSVP and let me know your coming so I can plan accordingly.

One last thing…before you REALLY go howl at the moon this time.

Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 5:30 p.m. at Toad’s is the SnoValley Writes! Board Meeting. All are welcome to attend.

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And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“The ninety and nine are with dreams, content but the hope of the world made new, is the hundredth man who is grimly bent on making those dreams come true”
Edgar Allan Poe quote

P.S. You may want to check out the SnoValley Star this week. /wink.


What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron

Weekly Writing Prompt — Jan. 12, 2011 Edition

Writers:

I must say over the course of the last week the phrase “The student has become the master” seems very apropos.

Since the inception of SnoValley Writes! I have always been impressed with the quality, dedication and passion that flows from this group. This week you have all shown that three-fold.

Congratulations to Kathleen Gabriel for making the editor’s cut in the Indie Literary Journal “Line Zero.” (www.linezero.org).

My continued thanks and Kudos to Sheri Kennedy and Takako Wright for keeping the Writers Cafe and Day Trippers events going. We all need space and time to pursue our passions and you keep that going, and I think it’s so important.

Also, thank you so much to those of you who have given me feed back on the forever-rejected story. I posted on my facebook that it had been rejected six times. I told you on Sunday that it was a dozen times. It’s only been 11, but all the same. Your feed back may make submission # 12 or #13 the lucky time. My appreciation for this knows no bounds.

These are the moments that I feel like I can’t inspire you any further. That I can’t give you anything else.

Yet, there is always more to learn. Always more for which to reach. Other goals to be accomplished, hurdles to be overcome and congratulations to be given.

So onward and forward!

Speaking of forward, the group has some ideas to continue our mission in raising literary awareness in our community and supporting our fellow writers along the way. But we need volunteers to be project managers. Any takers? Let me know. Great resume builders.

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Today’s prompt is inspired by our wonderful, delightfully crazy weather.

Sit down and let the weather, either the current one or another type inspire and lead the way as a central focus of a story. Allow its unpredictability to interfere with the plans of your antagonist or your protagonist. Write an essay why a walk in the snow is so cleansing to the soul. Tell me about how you survive a Tornado (for our non-fiction folks). Write, write, write why a lonely street in the rain can hold such a potential for danger. Let me smell the weather. Let me feel its bite on my skin. Give me description that paints a very clear picture for me without being cliche. Write until you can’t write any more. Go walk the dog today for :20 if you need to be reminded about how weather impacts the physical being…hehe.

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And now your moment of Writing Zen:

The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain. ~HenryWadsworth Longfellow


What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron