Category Archives: Weekly Writing Prompt

Weekly Writing Prompt — January 15, 2014 Edition

January 16, 2014Weekly Writing Prompt2014, abna, poor man's mfa, reading like a writer, work shopadmin

All:

This is arriving in your mail box a day late. My apologies. I was trying to ferret out some information and it was taking me longer than I would have preferred.

The workshop on Tuesday was a lot of inspirational fun. I hope that many of you can plan to join us on the 28th and then head post-haste from that to the FreeValley Publishing Round Table at Boxley’s.

Also, grants, submissions, and contests, notably the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards, were discussed on Tuesday. I found that the 2014 ABNA contest has not opened yet and Amazon has, as of today, not planned to cancel it. So, finish up your pitches and everything else and get ready for it. In the meantime, here’s a link to some more contests and calls for submissions you might be interested in.

Today’s prompt is continuing on our Poor Man’s MFA plan. This prompt will take you over several weeks, so you need to be committed.

Good writers are readers.

Your prompt today is to find a novel, any novel, and read it like a writer. Have a notebook handy. As you read, make notes of the mechanics of the book: genre, point of view, and length. Then be sure to acknowledge phrases and word choices that you like. Rewrite them so they are ingrained in your brain. Look for the character development, where is the conflict, what does the character want, what’s in the character’s way? What are the plot points/devices? Make notes as you read. Not just in your head, but in a notebook. Get a fresh one if you like, or just stick this exercise in your daily morning pages journal.

Next week we’ll be looking at even more things from the book because you’re going to write a critique/review of it.

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“I’ve put in so many enigmas and puzzles that it will keep the professors busy for centuries arguing over what I meant, and that’s the only way of insuring one’s immortality.” ~James Joyce

—
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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 — January 8, 2014 Edition

January 8, 2014Weekly Writing Promptprepping the new year, where do you want to go in writing, work session, writing goals, writing journeyadmin

Happy New Year Writers!

I hope the holidays treated you well and the rest from the normal routine has you ready to take on 2014!

First up is that we’ll be meeting on January 14, 2014 at the library for our bi-monthly work session. We will continue with our Poor Man’s MFA series.

In light of that, today’s prompt is to get you ready for that work session because we’ll be tackling your 2014 Writing Challenges/Goals. We’ll be looking at where you’re going and where you’ve been. Take 30 minutes over the next few days before the 14th and figure the following out:

1) Year in Reveiw: What writing benchmark did you make in 2013? What new skills, knowledge, and abilities do you have in your writing tool kit? Make a list. Be sure to include your biggest “win” in your writing life in 2013.

2) Looking Ahead: Where do you want to go with your writing in 2014? What is your main writing goal for 2014? Do you want to publish a short story? Do you want to have a manuscript submission ready? Attend a conference? Secure an agent? What is the next stop on your writing journey?

3) Go backwards to go forward: Start at your end-goal and plot out the rest-stops in your journey along the way. Figure out the mini-goals within the big goals to keep yourself accountable. (e.g. You need to write or edit every day in order to have a manuscript submission ready by, say, August.)

4. Baby’s First step: What is the the most immediate thing you can do to head towards your goal right now? Write that down.

5) Make a writing Calendar: After you’ve figured out steps 1 to 4, be sure to write goals, milestones, stops along the journeys on the calendar. Be as detailed as you can possibly be.

6) Ask for Help: What can SnoValley Writes! do to help you with your goals?

Bring the above, including your calendar, with you to the January 14th Work Session and we’ll get you more inspired, give you tips & tactics, as well as get some writing in. Please RSVP to let me know that you’ll be attending.

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Writing: you come to the field hoping to be an artist, and wind up an entrepreneur.” ~Myke Cole, author

—
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What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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 — Dec. 11, 2013 Edition

December 11, 2013Weekly Writing Prompt2013, 2014, holiday hiatus, thinking, writing cafeadmin

Fabulous Writers!

Greetings from all holiday goodness and then some!

Today I greet you for the last time for 2013. SnoValley Writes! Weekly Writing Prompt will be going on holiday hiatus until 2014. You’ll get a writing prompt vacation until January 8; with our first of 2014 workshop coming on January 14.

As has been tradition lately, I want you to just let your mind wander and marinate on what your writing goals for 2014 may want to be. Our next prompts in the new year will help you target in on what is most important and work towards that. But now is not a time to do — now is a time to think. Thinking is a part of the writing process, and sometimes we need to schedule in that time.

Given that the holidays are super busy for many of us, this is a good time to do just that: think. Think while you’re wrapping gifts, while you’re looking at holiday lights, while you’re doing the holiday dinner dishes….Take a bubble bath and just think.

What are your writing goals?

What do you most want to accomplish?

What do you most need to accomplish?

Why?

How?

Who’s help might you need to elicit? Another writer? An agent? An editor?

When do you want to accomplish the goals by? (Keep in mind what you do and don’t have control over for this question…)

Think about all of those things in between the holiday busyness. Take notes if you can (I have a great app on my phone that means I can take notes and thoughts down any time I want…).

Don’t be surprised if new ideas come to you. Just jot them down. You don’t have to act on them. Thinking mode can do a lot of things to recharge your creativity — for many of you, you will find that following NaNoWriMo and the efforts to meet your 2013 goals, you’re going to need this “just thinking” time.

Am I saying to stop working? No. If you need or want to work on a project, do that. I’m just suggesting you take time to just think and not do at least for a little bit of time between now and January 8. This is a time to examine our writing life, is all. In every endeavor, you need to take time to measure, assess, and see what’s good, what needs improvement, and formulate a plan of attack for the next phase/goal.

Writing Cafe’s will continue through the holidays, to keep that connection that is so important, too. The Wednesdays of Christmas and New Year’s however, the Sawdust evening will not take place. Our meeting spots will be closed, and well, yes, we’re all hoping you have other plans those days. Look for your reminders as normal. Those who have children who will be home for the holidays, it’s not uncommon for one of our writers to bring them along and have them work on sketching, their own writing, or even (gasp!) homework so you can catch a cafe over the holiday break. So, hope to see you.

I’ll be thinking of all of you…hoping you’re thinking!

Now your moment of Writing Zen:

“I like to compare the holiday season with the way a child listens to a favorite story. The pleasure is in the familiar way the story begins, the anticipation of familiar turns it takes, the familiar moments of suspense, and the familiar climax and ending.” ~Fred Rogers

—
—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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 — November 27, 2013 Edition

November 27, 2013Weekly Writing Promptadmin

A peaceful and blessed Thanksgiving holiday to all of you.

Today’s prompt is more of a love letter from me to you.

I want to tell you how grateful I am to be a part of an incredible writing community. I have learned so much from all of you. However, the biggest lesson I’ve learned from being a part of SnoValley Writes! is to not give up. So many of you have crossed off so many of your goals and reaching for even loftier and grander ones now, that you inspire me and keep me motivated to get my own work out there. We have definitely continued our mission of helping writers reach literary peaks! Way to go. Continued blessings to all of you.

So, from my heart to your ears (eyes as it may be), thank you. My appreciation of all of you knows no limits. Here is to many more years together as we grow and grow

**********

Don’t forget our annual Pajama Party Write-In at the Black Dog Friday a.m. at 9:30 a.m. Roll outta bed, fuzzy slippers and all, and join us for breakfast and making words. A great opportunity for those still working hard to get their NaNoWriMo goals, or for those of us, like me, who are just keeping on regardless.

**********

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“My gratitude for good writing is unbounded; I’m grateful for it the way I’m grateful for the ocean.” ― Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

—
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What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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 — Nov. 20, 2013 Edition

November 20, 2013Weekly Writing Promptadmin

Dear Writers:

I feel slightly hypocritical about prompting you to write when I’m apparently in my own little slump. Every time I sit down to write it just doesn’t want to seem to come out. It happens. The creative cycle is a cruel beast during its natural course. I’m in the “thinking” phase, where I have to think so deeply about what I’m writing that it somewhat paralyzes me. Don’t misunderstand, I’m writing. Just more slowly than what is normal for me. But the important part is that I AM writing. Even if it’s only 500 words here or 1,000 words here (unlike my normal 2k a day I prefer to do — or 4 solid hours of editing).

My point in sharing my current state is to let you know it happens, and you need to just keep plugging along.

However, if you’re on deadline for a project (ala NaNoWriMo), you can’t necessarily let the creative cycle take it’s dear sweet time. You may have to give it a nice swift boot and kick it along to the next “write like crazy” phase.

This is where playing games with yourself (plot bunny jars anyone?) help.

Here’s a little game to help you perhaps move things along:

Find a board game. Can be any board game. Scrabble is a great one. But it can be Sorry, Clue, Connect Four, Checkers, or whatever. Do not use video game. You want the tactile experience to make it more real for you.Set up the game and either a) play with other people, or b) play by yourself, but pretend to be your characters playing it.

Yes, I know this sounds bizarre. Humor me for a moment. Whatever scenario you’re able to create — by yourself or with others — make notes on how people play (it can just be a mental note, but having a notebook to capture things you might forget later is strongly encouraged). If you’re doing this alone to play out character traits, you certainly want your notebook. How do your characters play? Does your protagonist maybe cheat to win? Ah-Ha! You found a flaw in your hero! Does your antagonist follow the rules because he battles with honor? Ah-Ha! Your antagonist does have some redeeming qualities.

Regardless, you’re creative types, you get the idea. It’s a nice respite from when you’re struggling to get the words down.

Please do email me back or comment on our blog post on our website if you did this and how it worked out.

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“ It is not abstinence from pleasures that is best, but mastery over them without being worsted. ”

— Aristippus

—
—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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 — Nov. 13, 2013 Edition

November 13, 2013Weekly Writing Promptadmin

Our dateline is full of the magic number of 13 today.

So our prompt is going to take about 13 minutes. Set a timer so you don’t do longer than that — otherwise you’ll get lost. Trust me.

This exercise should also help you get through your mushy middle and make you fall back in love with your Work In Progress.

I want you to find a quiet place (lock yourself in the bathroom if you have to). Have a notebook and pen handy for immediately following.

Put on calming, white-noise kind of music, if you like (totally optional).

Get comfortable (you can sit, lie down, recline, whatever).

Close your eyes.

Start to think about your protagonist. Put your mind into getting into their head. A quick way to do that is imagining yourself putting on their shoes (boots, high heels, sneakers, whatever). Make a mental note about how they tie, strap, or zip on the shoes. What are they thinking about as they are putting on their shoes. Do they put on socks or hose first? Barefoot? do they put on both socks first and then shoes or do they put on one stocking and then a shoe before heading to the other. Where are they walking once they put on the shoe. What’s their mission for the day? Do they have to discover something? Do they have to hide something? Do they need to reveal something? Do they have to go and talk to someone, or stop them from doing something?

Spend the timer’s 13 minutes being your character. What do they feel? Are they scared? Determined? Confused? What?

When the timer dings (or buzzes or squawks or hoots), write down everything you experienced as fast as you can. Don’t spend more than another 13 minutes doing this. Feel free to set the timer again.

Now get back to work on your WIP.

Don’t forget, writer’s cafe tonight at Sawdust Coffee house at the North Bend Outlet Mall.

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen.” ~Horace Mann
—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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 — Nov. 8, 2013 Edition

November 8, 2013Weekly Writing Promptblocked creative, support the arts, unblockingadmin

Writers:

First off, my apologies for the delay. I’ve had a couple of days this week that are now in my top ten of very terrible no-good days.

However, I was inspired today by this thought:

If you are a blocked creative, the surest way to becoming unblocked is by supporting other creatives; If you are blocked, you may want to examine if you’re being unsupportive, or worse — oppressing other creatives. Are you lifting up your fellow artists? Or are you somehow keeping them down? Handing them disapproval as opposed to lifting them up.

I’m not meaning that we let work that needs improvement out into the world, but the way we provide critique and feedback is essential to not only our fellow artists but in unblocking ourselves.

Therefore, the prompt this week is to examine if you’re lifting other creatives or are you pushing them down. Don’t know how to lift up fellow artists? Here’s some ideas: write a review, purchase a piece of art, seek out an author-published writer and purchase their work and write a review. You can also make a donation to a museum or other group that focuses and helps your fellow creatives. You could even just read another writer’s blog and comment on it. Encouraging comments can make an artist’s day.

I would like to hear back from folks on what they did to support…and what happened? Did you find yourself becoming unblocked? Did you find your creativity increasing?

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Above all, we are coming to understand that the arts incarnate the creativity of a free people. When the creative impulse cannot flourish, when it cannot freely select its methods and objects, when it is deprived of spontaneity, then society severs.” ~John F. Kennedy.

—
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What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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 — Oct. 23, 2013 Edition

October 24, 2013Weekly Writing Promptfinishing, NaNoWriMo, tis the seasonadmin

Sorry for the delay in delivery. It helps if you push “send.” 🙂

Writers:

I can feel the creative energy building all around us. It’s that time of year where the days grow dark so fast, we’re forced back into our writing caves and art studios. We have to create. We snuggle with books by the fire, and let our creative muses dance through our lives unfettered. Embrace the season. Create.

It has been a very busy week for SnoValley Writes! members. A workshop on Monday; a workshop on Tuesday; two writing cafes. Some of us are headed to Seattle this evening for the Lit Crawl. And tomorrow’s writing cafe right on the heels. If you’ve been unable to do these things — be sure you’re signing up for National Novel Writing Month. The kick off is Nov. 1. at Boxley’s in North Bend for the entire Snoqualmie Region. Sign up at nanowrimo.org and you’ll get even more support to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. Feel free to friend me there, I’m HeroProtagonist (ask me during a cafe how that name came to be….).

Today’s writing exercise is about finishing. For those that know my creation schedule more intimately, they know that I’m knocking on the door of finishing a weird urban fantasy novel that began — as a project during NaNoWriMo — back in 2009. I need to finish it this weekend, so I have a few days to prep for NaNoWriMo where I’m going to tackle my very first creative non-fiction piece. Having some “back up” energy, knowing that there are other folks out there “finishing” projects, too

You need to find a project — either a story that’s done that needs a home, a poem that needs revision, an outline that needs doing, a kitchen drawer that needs organizing, the special trash dump that needs doing, or even a craft or piece of visual art you need to get complete. It may be anything you’ve been avoiding that needs to get “DONE.” Make a plan to get it done before next Wednesday.

I’d love to know (either email me or comment on our blog, or post to our facebook) what you accomplished. Inspire me and the rest of the group with your stories of getting something done.

Go now. Get it done!

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Do not plan for ventures before finishing what’s at hand.” ~Euripides

—
—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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 — Oct. 16, 2013 Edition

October 16, 2013Weekly Writing PromptNaNoWriMo, outlines, weekly writing prompt, writing workshopadmin

Writers!

Only two weeks left until a big chunk of you decide to write away November and participate in National Novel Writing Month! Don’t know what NaNoWriMo is about? Check out their website.

For the rest that have already signed up, signed on, and been putting away freezer meals for the frantic days of making up work counts, or been creating play lists to get motivated or to write by, today’s exercise is for you. If you have signed up, be sure to home with Snoqualmie Valley region so you get all the goodness from all our fellow writers in the valley. SVW! board members, and long-time NaNo-heads and now regional Municipal Liaisons, Sheri J. Kennedy (Quinnleeeee) & Takako Wright (Tam Borgia), along with myself (aka heroprotagonist), and your other Wrimos will help you get through the month and have something successful to look back on. I personally can tell you I’ve learned something about my writing process each year I’ve done it (going on 8 now). I’m never sorry I did it. Please join us!

On Tuesday, Oct. 22 we’ll be doing more exercises on outlining. But, this is a pre-exercise, if you will.

Set aside 30 minutes for this exercise. Using a timer is encouraged, but not necessary. At the end of it you’ll have a rough outline for your book.

Each one of these steps will last about 3.5 minutes. That leaves you with a little extra on one or two steps, but not much more. The goal is to get what’s in your head out quickly. Don’t mess with it yet. That comes later. Just get it down and go forward to the next step. Stop that inner editor. Just write it down.

Step 1: Brainstorm: What do you want to write about. Concentrate on the first thing that pops into your head. Is it similar to anything else you’ve read by another author? If so, spin it so it’s different — the characters have some sort of different perspective (female vs. male, young vs. old, etc.). Do this until you have at least three ideas down.

Step 2: Decide which of the ideas above you like best. Then write down as many details as possible about the idea you decided on. What happens in Act I, II, III, & IV. Don’t know what that is? Look up what a story arc is. Stop your outlining timer is necessary.

Step 3: Once you have the rough story arc for your story, write down as much as possible that you want to include about the plot. Details that pop out of your brain, like your protagonist always carries a 9mm; or that your protagonist is a pacifist. Type or write fast.

Step 4: Develop your characters. Who’s your protagonist? Who’s the antagonist (bad guy)? What’s the major conflict? What does your protagonist want that they can’t have? How does the antagonist keep it from the protagonist? Are there any other external or internal factors that keep the protagonist from getting what they want? (Many of those questions may have been answered in step 3, but if you missed something, cover it in this step.) Write a little bio on each of your characters, including a physical description of them, potential names (unless you have something definitely scream out from your muse), background, etc.

Step 5: Label your paper (or screen) at least 1-10. Think of each number as a chapter and decide what happens in each chapter to the characters. Don’t spend more than three sentences in each chapter. Sentence 1: Protagonist does this. Sentence 2: Antagonist does this. 3. Those actions create this. Focus on the important events and write them down. You are not actually writing the chapter yet. Just jotting down key sentences and the main point of the chapter (scene, if you will).

Step 6: Take a minute or two and read over what you have.

Step 7: Add any more details that you want to this straw-man outline, but only those that come to you immediately as you reviewed it, until the timer runs out.

At the end of this you’ll have a rough idea on what you want to write and where it’s going.

Then come to our workshop on Oct. 22nd at the North Bend Library at 6 p.m. for more work. (You may come even if you haven’t done this exercise, but you’ll just get even more done if you do do this exercise). Please RSVP that you’re going to attend.

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Also, don’t forget on Monday, Oct. 21 there’s a special event being held at Boxley’s (upstairs in the meeting room), “How to publish and market your own book without going crazy,” by Stephen J. Matlock, successful author of Stars In The Texas Sky. The presentation begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7. Space is limited, so get your tickets today. Contact freevalleypublishing@gmail.com for more info. The link above also has more details on the presentation.

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And now your moment of Writing Zen:

There are three difficulties in authorship: to write anything worth publishing, to find honest men to publish it, and to find sensible men to read it.” ~Charles Caleb Colton.

—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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 — Sept. 25, 2013 Edition

September 25, 2013Weekly Writing Prompt5 years old, Poor Writer's MFA, reading as a writer, review, showing upadmin

Writers:

Oh wow! What a great work session we had last night. I certainly hope that you might make the next one — Oct. 8, 6 p.m. at the North Bend Library Meeting Room. We will be continuing with my make-shift “Poor Writer’s MFA.” Don’t know what that’s about? Check out this link:

http://www.casondrabrewster.com/?p=1388

Don’t worry if you missed our kick-off; we’ll keep at it and you’re welcome to join when you’re able. But, someday is today, as I always say.

*********

Today’s prompt continues our PW-MFA.

I want you to get a book you’ve always wanted to read, could be something you maybe were hesitant to read, a classic you never got around to, or just a book on your bedside table or book shelf that has been waiting for you. It’s time. It’s time to read that book. As you read it I want you to read it as a writer. Pay close attention to the story arc, the character development, the pace, sentence structure. Get a notebook and take notes. Write out passages that you particularly enjoy. When you finish (obviously, this may be a multi-week project), write a review of the book. Write the review as if you were talking directly to the author — writer to writer. If you have a blog, post that review. Regardless if you post it, it’s a great exercise and will help you develop your skills.

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As I told the group last night, SnoValley Writes! is five years old. We missed its actual birthday in August; but, a party is still forthcoming. Stay tuned.

********

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Eighty percent of success is showing up.” ~Woody Allen

—

What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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