Weekly Writing Prompt — August 7, 2013 Edition

August 7, 2013Weekly Writing Promptauthor, book sale, festival at mount si, free valley publishingadmin

Writers;

One very important thing and I’ll let you get back to summer.

Please take some time this weekend and visit your fellow authors at the Festival at Mount Si at the Free Valley Publishing Booth in the big vendor area. They will have a book with copies of their available books. Signed books are some of the best gifts you can get your friends and family. So stock up now and boast that you know these folks. 😀

One last tip for your prompt this week: Don’t forget to eat your elephant ears AFTER you’ve handled the books.

Happy authoring, happy book-buying, happy festival going!

All the best!

—

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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

Not really a Weekly Writing Prompt — July 17, 2013

July 17, 2013Weekly Writing Promptadmin

Weekly Writing Prompt is on hiatus as Casz tries to nail down her WIP and deal with three teens in the house all summer. So here’s a little something something to get you through:

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/tip-sheet/article/53085-5-writing-tips-from-tana-french.html

—
—
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 — July 3, 2013 Edition

July 3, 2013Weekly Writing Promptcleaning your desk, desk of life, journaling, tackling an undesired task, writing work session, Writing Zenadmin

Writers:

Happy Summer!

For those that missed the messages over last week: Writing Work Sessions are on suspension until the autumn. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Also, if you’re wanting to get involved in the booth for the Festival at Mount Si, please contact Vicky, her Email is in the “to” line.

Okay, now that the administrative minutia is over….

It’s time to clean our desks, both literally and metaphorically. What do we keep on our physical desk and the desk of our life that we don’t need? What’s something that needs our attention but has languished in a desk drawer, or worse, right on top?

Today’s prompt is to clean our physical desks. Take 15 minutes and clean off the space where we “work.” Once it’s neat and tidy (not perfect — we want progress, not perfection), then take a few moments to write in our journal about any task, project, situation that needs our attention. Perhaps the journaling will give us motivation to actually tackle the project. Perhaps if solutions were unknown they can become known. Regardless, figure out what’s draining our creative energy and patch that hole with a bit of introspection and journaling…then maybe, action. Yes?

Get to cleaning!

Now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Literature — creative literature — unconcerned with sex, is inconceivable.” ~Gertrude Stein

—
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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 — June 26, 2013 Edition

June 26, 2013Weekly Writing Promptadmin

Note: apparently last week’s prompt was caught in a time-warp in Casz’s brain. We resume your regularly scheduled prompting this week, however. Apologies for the unannounced vacation.

I’m thrilled about the SCOTUS decision regarding DOMA and am having some concentration issues.

If it weren’t for this rain, I’d be dancing in the streets.

But I digress…

We’ll get to today’s prompt, but first administrative issues:

No Workshops This Summer.

I got two people for each session to respond. So, I’m pulling the plug for summer. We’ll meet again come the autumn. Stay tuned.

Also need to let you all know about the Maple Valley Writers Group:

Maple Valley Writers is a group devoted to local authors, working to motivate, promote, and support writing. All creative-minded individuals are welcome.

Tuesdays 2-4PM at the Spot in Maple Valley Four Corners

Join fellow writers for a mug o’ joe or a glass of wine as we scribble, pen, type, talk, share, and laugh over our writing projects every Tuesday 2 – 4 PM at The Spot. You can blog, research, write your novel, work on a poem, edit, journal, pretend to do something productive while actually going on tickld, etc. Drop in or leave whenever you like.

Sundays 7-9PM at the Creative Arts Center in Maple Valley

From the Center that brought you Open Mic nights on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month and Third Word Wednesdays every third Wednesday comes another fantastic opportunity to hone your craft. Join fellow aspiring writers every Sunday 7 – 9 PM at the Creative Arts Center to work on that novel, poem, short, story, essay, article, etc., surrounded by local artwork. Drop in or leave whenever you like.

Thanks, Rachel of the Writers. maplevalleywriters@outlook.com, facebook.com/maplevalley.writers

Alright back to prompting….

Excitement, Celebration, Relief….those are the key words. I want you to write a scene — either fresh or inside your current work in progress that displays those emotions. But don’t use those words. Yes, this is another show don’t tell exercise. Try to make it about 500 words. But no more than that. If you’re under, fine.

Go!

Hope to see you all at the Writer’s Cafe tonight and Friday.

—
—
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 — June 12, 2013 Edition

June 12, 2013Weekly Writing Promptadmin

Writers:

I’d like to be able know who plans to come to the currently scheduled workshops on Tuesday, July 9 & 23rd? They are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the North Bend Library Meeting Room. If you all could send me an RSVP…something along the lines of July 9 – No; July 23 – Yes. Or whatever is appropriate for you. If I do not hear from you I will presume you do not plan to attend. I need to let the library know, and reschedule my own home-front items if the work session is not going to happen and will go on early summer hiatus. Please take a moment and check your calendars and let me know your intentions. Thank you.

It has been two weeks since I’ve done any morning pages. I did this on purpose to see what would happen, since it’s been a couple of years plus since I started doing them. The result? My creativity is in a slump, my thought-processes seem foggy, and I just plain miss them. How are you doing on your morning pages/daily journaling? Do you need to get back on the writing horse? Your prompt today is to make a journal entry. Free write with no thought about form, punctuation, continuity. Just write. At least try to get 2 1/2 hand-written pages, or about 1,000 words if you’re on the computer. That’s it. Just do it. Get back in the habit.

Then let me know if you plan to attend the work shop.

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Talent is helpful in writing, but guts are absolutely necessary.”
~Jessamyn West

—
—
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 — June 5, 2013 Edition

June 5, 2013Weekly Writing Promptadmin

Writers:

On this day in 1910, O. Henry died in New York City at the age of forty-seven. His death from alcoholism-related illnesses was the farthest thing from a surprise ending, but his last months and hours were in other ways characteristic of the fiction: the down-on-his-luck hero, the small-detail-revealing-all style, the polished-perfect irony.

If you don’t know who O. Henry is, this is your prompt to go find some of his work and investigate.

Since I’m in my 47th year, this is motivating for me to get my act in gear. I’ve said it repeatedly to many of you that the only one standing in front of you to reach your dreams is you. You know what needs to be done to meet your goals, to achieve your dreams. Go out and do it.

Currently there is some activities in the works to have those of you who have already published present your work to our community at large. Please stay tuned for details. For those who have published something — doesn’t matter if it’s traditional or indie (self), please ping me back and tell me so, so I have a running total of who has work that could be promoted. You will then be invited directly. 😀

That’s the prompt, if you have a book, poetry chap book, etc. that has been made into a marketable product, you need to let me know, asap. SnoValley Writes! exist to help those authors any way we can. If you don’t currently have something (like me), then your prompt is to spend no less than 2 hours this week working on it. 2 hours! You probably spent that in front of the computer on Facebook or the television this week, or gaming. You can take that two hours and dedicate it towards your goals and resurrect your dreams. Go. Do it. What are you waiting for? Permission? Well, you have it. Go!

And now for today’s moment of Writing Zen:

“When one loves one’s Art no service seems too hard.” ~O. Henry

—

—
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 — May 29, 2013 Edition

May 29, 2013Weekly Writing PromptNaNoWriMo, stepping up, summer schedule, website, writer's cafeadmin

Writers:

A big Thank-You to Takako for stepping up and facilitating last night’s critique intensive. I’m feeling a bit better, but far from well. Just hoping to kick this bug enough before tonight’s hockey game, since next to writing and farming, that is one of my passions as well. 😀 Takako did give me your feedback as far as desires for the group and I will be implementing them as more information back becomes available.

Speaking of stepping up, we need to talk about National Novel Writing Month. I know it’s only May; however, plans need to begin for November now. The forms for municipal liaison are out. I know that Takako has said she will consider continuing in her Co-ML capacity as she has the last few years; however, I will not be ML this year; nor will I be participating in NaNoWriMo. I need to focus on other things currently, especially if SnoValley Writes! is to continue and grow. However, there is a huge group within SnoValley Writes! and throughout the valley that will participate in NaNoWriMo and if you have the desire — or especially if you have not done it — I strongly encourage you to do so. So, if anyone is interested in being Co-ML, (it would be good if someone who’s already done NaNo to step up for this role) please let me know and I’ll get you all the details. A decision must be made by June 19.

Speaking of June (like my crappy transitions? Hey, I blame medicine head), we need to talk Summer Schedule. We normally take August off because that is the Library’s Book Sale and we lose our meeting room. Accordingly, I’ve scheduled all my family vacations during that time. However, there are some other challenges, too, throughout summer. We will meet on June 11. Last day of school for our school district, so get your me-time in now, right? 😀 However, June 25th I’ll be wrapped up in All-Star Baseball Schedule, which is every.freaking.night. So, I will be unavailable; however, you’re all welcome to do another critique intensive — just need a facilitator. If someone steps up, then I can let the library know that we will still be using the room. In July we are scheduled to meet the 9th and 23rd. If for any reason, I have less than 3 people coming, I will cancel those sessions. Summer tends to be rough on folks’ schedules, I understand. But, I can use those hours writing or what not, if there is no moderating to be done. 😀 Just let me know, so we can plan accordingly and I can inform the library.

Last Summer, too, our weekly writing prompts were sporadic. They become more like monthly prompts. My intent this summer is to continue the weekly communique, except for August. August is vacation from everything writing. It does not mean you need to stop your artist’s dates or morning pages (those are healthy things and I continue those as well); but, for me, I take that month off from new composition, revising, plotting, teaching…all of it. I also tend to take three weeks around the holidays, too. It’s what works for me. It does not mean you have to follow the same path. Hopefully by then we’ll have the forum section of the web site activated (or something similar), and you all can stay connected.

As always, another way to stay connected with your fellow writers is through our Write-Ins (aka Writing Cafes) which take place Mondays (save holiday Mondays like this last week), Wednesdays and Fridays. You can always see the calendar section of our web site as a reminder.

Your prompt is to check out our web site and attend a writer’s cafe before June 11, as well as let me know your intentions for the rest of summer’s work sessions.

And now, your moment of Writing Zen:

“When we are unable to work, we can work at the work of getting ready to work. Writers can lay in supplies of papers and enticing pens, notepads that plead, ‘Please write on me.’ Painters can prepare their canvases, clean their brushes, neaten their studio space. Potters can acquire a new lump of cool clay and clear the table space where they will knead and shape it. Gentle things can be done.” ~Julia Cameron.

—
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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 — May 22, 2013 Edition

May 22, 2013Weekly Writing Promptmaking writing a priority, mining your personal life, moment of writing zenadmin

Writers:

Feels like June-uary has set in a bit early this year. Have faith, I think we’ll be blessed with a pleasant enough weekend. Take the time away from outdoor activities and get some writing done (at least for my household the rain is a welcome respite from baseball, gardening/urban farming, constant dog-walking).

Put May 28 on your calendar. That’s our next work shop. 6 p.m. until about 7:45 p.m. (we need to be out of the North Bend Library’s meeting room by 8 p.m.). Please RSVP. Also, this is important. Bring three copies of something to share. We’ll be concentrating on providing critique and feedback. Remember if you’re a King County Library Card holder, you can print up to 75 pages off of their printers for free each month. Copier is available, too; but that’s like $.10 a page. Please keep the selected work to like one chapter of a novel, 3 to 5 pages of poetry, a short story, etc. If you have doubts, contact me and let me know.

Speaking of workshops, if you liked the last workshop, please leave a comment on website under this posting (see the link in the signature line), and tell everyone your experience. If there was something you’d like to see — or something you didn’t like, leave that comment as well. Comments help us in several ways. First it helps provide more for what the group needs in the way of “learning.” It also helps SnoValley Writes! increase its traffic on the web site. We need to see some increase on the traffic, or perhaps move to no longer go through the expense and energy of having a web site.

Enough administrative minutia. Time for writing focus.

Today’s writing prompt is to free write for 10 minutes on these selected sentences, meaning start each free-write off with these sentences. Set a timer for 10 minutes and stop when it goes off. Move on to the next sentence and repeat.

Sentence One: “I couldn’t believe that I would have gotten this far if not for…..”

Sentence Two: “What I couldn’t say was….”

Sentence Three: “What I really wanted to say was….”

This continues with our “mining our lives for writing material” theme we had from the last work shop. We will likely continue this type of exercise in our weekly prompts for some time. If you have success in creating a story from these prompts, please let us know.

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“What do you want? What are you willing to give up to get it? Writing requires you make sacrifices. Be prepared to work hard to be a writer.”
― Sandra Brown

—

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 — May 16, 2013 Edition

May 16, 2013Weekly Writing Promptadmin

I think I may have jinxed myself on Tuesday night at the Workshop. I said that night that sometimes the weekly writing prompt — scheduled for Wednesdays — sometimes doesn’t arrive until Thursdays.

Wa, La! — your Ides of May issue.

However, better late than later, I say.

At any rate, those that missed Tuesdays Workshop, I think really missed some good stuff. I know, I know, I say that all the time, but it’s true. We learn so much from one another and attendees got to really learn lots from those attending.

Our next Workshop is May 28; so, I hope to see many of you there. Please be ready to hand out at least three copies of a chapter, some poems, a short story, an essay or article, for your fellow writers to critique and provide feedback. We’re going to be focused on that the next time.

Your prompt this week?

A Promise: Make a promise to either a) attend a writer’s cafe (see the schedule here), or the next Workshop before May 29.

If you seriously, cannot make any of those, find a literary-centered event — a reading, a book signing, a book festival, whatever, and plan to attend.

Then tell me about your experience. Send me an email about your time at the writer’s cafe, the workshop, the book signing, whatever.

There may be a response for further action, or there may just be a pat on the back. It’s a bit of Promise Roulette, if you will.

That’s it. Simple enough. I’m giving you permission to carve out time to be the writer you want to be. Now you just need to act.

Now your moment of Writing Zen:

“To gain your own voice, you have to forget about having it heard.”
—Allen Ginsberg, 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 — May 8, 2013 Edition

May 16, 2013Weekly Writing Promptadmin

Writers:

Greetings!

For those that are unaware, SnoValley Writes! is coming up on its 5th anniversary. These Writing Prompts are a little over 3 years in the running, I believe (feel free to check my math). There should likely be some sort of celebration in August. If you have ideas, throw ’em at me. I just wanted you to put it on the radar. The celebration, may, however, not take place until September, since we normally go on Summer hiatus in August. At any rate, we’ve been chugging along a good while. We’re growing and slowly, so we can do it right.

Growing is the theme for this week’s prompt, too. I want you to type or write at the top of blank document/page the word Growing. Free write now for as long as you can schedule (20 minutes is ideal). Write a story, write an essay,write a poem. Just write.

Don’t be afraid. Don’t worry about punctuation, flow, any of it. Just get the thoughts on paper.

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Work-Session Reminder: May 14 at the North Bend Library at 6 p.m. We will be continuing our Do-It-Yourself MFA and this week’s lesson is on mining your life for material. We’ll be doing some very intense exercises, so come prepared to write. You might just break a literary sweat.

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Don’t forget to check in at one of the writing cafes scheduled throughout the week.

**********

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

And as imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown, the poet’s pen
Turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothing
A local habitation and a name.
– William Shakespeare (from A Midsummer Night’s Dream)

—
—
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