Weekly Writing Prompt — February 15, 2012 Edition

February 15, 2012Weekly Writing Promptcasz

Writers:

I woke up ready to kill this morning. Kill one of my darlings, that is. Before you alert the authorities, I mean on the page. That’s what today’s prompt is about, too. Is killing your darlings. Either a character, too many words, the story in the wrong order, or starting from the wrong spot. People have to care about their story; they have to be transported in and stay in. If no conflict happens, if nothing changes on the outside, if no one grows on the inside, if you miss details — your reader pops out of the world you (hopefully) transported them into and they become disappointed, upset and angry. They stop reading (or listening, as the case may be).

So that’s your assignment. Edit. Rework. Kill off a character (probably easiest task of this list), kill those too many words, hack and cut and rearrange. Make it right.

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Again, I invite you all to attend my first public reading on Sunday, Feb. 19th, at 2 p.m. at the University Book Store. I’ll be reading from “Edom The Treasure Keeper,” which is apart of AT SECOND GLANCE, a short story anthology. This is the book launch and you’ll get to listen to a couple of the other writers as well. I hope many of you can make it. It would be nice to see some friendly faces in the audience. If you do plan to attend, I would say leave :15 earlier than what you think you need to and carpool as parking near the University Book Store can be a bit tricky some days.

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Don’t forget to let folks know about our Writing Contest and the accompanying Word Jazz. Attached are electronic flyers. You may also send them to our Web site for more information.

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And finally a note from one of our original members who has had her other “art” take off for her. I agreed to share this with all of you. On March 3rd I’ll be tied up with kid activities and freelance activities, but I highly encourage many of the rest of you to go and celebrate with Kora for her artistic successes. Make it a group field trip, artist date, etc.

Hi Casz!

Wow, it’s been so long! I hope everything is going well with the writers’ group! I still get all of the emails, and while I’m definitely very silent, I do follow along and keep up with everyone’s achievements.

I wanted to give you (and, if you could forward it out to the whole group, everyone) a chance to know what I’ve been up to these last couple of years and why I’ve disappeared from the writing scene recently. Essentially, Simeon’s and my dance career has really taken off. We are the Bulgarian National Champions and are World Semi-Finalists (that means top 12; technically we’re placed 9^th). We are travelling constantly. Just this spring we will be going to Moscow, Bulgaria, and England twice, all in three months! Our schedules have gotten so hectic that I’ve had no choice but to put my writing on the side for now.

That said, one very exciting development is that Simeon and I are opening our own dance studio in Redmond. It’s called Aria Ballroom and we’re having an Open House on Saturday, March 3^rd, starting at 6:00pm and a free party beginning at 8:00pm. A number of members of SnoValley Writes had come to previous showcases of ours held in Bellevue. I thought maybe those who know and remember me would like to come on out. I would really love to see everyone and catch up if so. Anyway, thought I’d let you know what I’ve been up to.

Hope your writing is going well! It sounds like the group is still alive and kicking! I think it’s great! Someday, I hope I’ll be able to get back into writing a bit more. I do miss it. Please say hello to the group for me at your next work session!

Much love,

Kora

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And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“No matter how slow the film, Spirit always stands still long enough for the photographer It has chosen.” ~Minor White

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Hope to see you at one of the Write-Ins this week!
—
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 — February 7, 2012 Edition

February 8, 2012Weekly Writing Promptcasz

Writers:

GREETINGS: I hope this finds you all healthy and enjoying life. Personally, I’m celebrating that the winds are calm today.

WORD JAZZ: You all have one week to get in your submissions for Word Jazz. Deadline is Feb. 14 at midnight. Just email them to this address. I have six submissions thus far. We need at least three more. This is your time to say, “Hey, I’m a writer!” and mean it. Make it a priority. In Your Life. At least through now until April 10. You may just make it a habit, you never know.

SNOVALLEY WRITES! 2012 WRITING CONTEST: Submissions are coming in! Thanks for advertising this on your blogs, facebooks, via email, and of course, word of mouth. Please continue to do so. Deadline is March 3. Details can be found on our contest page on our website.

WRITING WORK SESSION: Our Regular Writing Work Session is this Sunday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. in the North Bend Library. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Bring your lappie, notebook and pen, and a calendar (either electronic or old-school date book).

WRITING OPPORTUNITIES: The 2012 Emerald City Writer’s Conference in October, which is sponsored by the Greater Seattle Romance Writers Association. Attached is information on their contest as well as the conference. I urge you to take advantage of this. Many of you have been published locally, now it’s time to reach for regionally.

TAKE TIME OUT TO WRITE: Don’t forget our writing meet ups — three times a week in various valley locales. Meet your fellow SnoValley Writes! members and get real-time critique, feed back and inspiration!

FRIDAY: 9:30 A.M. TO NOONISH – BLACK DOG – SNOQUALMIE

MONDAY: 11 A.M. TO 1 P.M. — TOADS — NORTH BEND

TUESDAY: 6:30 P.M. TO 9: 30 P.M. — CARRIAGE HOUSE — NORTH BEND

WRITING ZEN: “The job of the artists is always to deepen the mystery.” ~Francis Bacon.

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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 — February 1, 2012 Edition

February 1, 2012Weekly Writing Promptcasz

364 Days out of the Year the Ground Hog is Irrelevant.

That’s your prompt today. Flash fiction. No more than 1,000 words.

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13 Days until the deadline for submission for Word Jazz.

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Don’t forget that we have a writing competition going on. Tell everyone.

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And now your moment of Writing Zen:

What do Literary Agents want?

—
—
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 — January 25, 2012 Edition

January 25, 2012Weekly Writing Promptcasz

It’s deadline time folks! Have you put together a piece to proffer for Word Jazz and our Third Edition of our journal, Views, Voices and Verses? If you’re not in Word Jazz; you’re not in V3: Three is the Magic Number. Here’s the prompt again:

All pieces should be produced from the themed prompt: Include any three of these words (we challenge you to get all of them, but no special prize for using them all): Three, Magic, Number, Valley, Anniversary, Coffee, Friends, Ashes, Determination, or Quest. Any genre. Short Story, Poem, Creative Non-Fiction, Essay or even one-act play! Go for it!

Manuscripts of no more than 1,500 words. Deadline is February 14, 2012. Email in manuscript format to snovalleywrites@gmail.com for consideration.

Also, for non-members, our 2012 Writing Contest is open. See details here: http://www.snovalleywrites.org/?page_id=265

That’s the prompt folks. Write your Word Jazz entry; promote our writing contest.

Fairly simple, eh?

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Other news:

1) If you have pieces from former weekly prompts that you feel are ready to share with the world, we’re going to begin posting those pieces on our website. Just send your piece (manuscript format please) via email and once a week we’ll feature a piece based on our prompts. So turn that homework in!

2) We are looking at following Word Jazz, to begin hosting a once-a-quarter literary salon. So I’m looking for suggestions of local authors, publishers, agents, etc. that you would like to see appear at these salons to discuss writing life themes and topics. Don’t know what a salon is? Check this video out: The Shoreditch House Literary Salon . It would be for active members only, since there will be a limited amount of seats. The first date/seats will be offered in an upcoming Regular Work Session (our Sunday meetings at the library). So if you’re not there, you won’t know. Then it will be offered to the larger virtual group, likely within a very short time frame of the event, if at all. Have questions, please feel free to ask.

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And now your moment of Writing Zen:

A video edition: Neil Gaiman on Writing Elves and Getting a Job.

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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

January 22, 2012 WORK SESSION CANCELED.

January 22, 2012Weekly Writing Promptcasz

NO WORK SESSION TODAY (JAN. 22, 2012) Many of us are just beginning to get our power back on; but there’s still plenty that do not have power. Heck, as we write this, we’re really unsure if the library has power or not. Additionally there’s a fairly icky sinus virus going around that has Casz feeling poorly and unable to teach/moderate. Hoping you all have a way to get this, because we can’t call …all of you (especially given the spotty cell coverage as of late). Email and Facebook have info as well. We will resume our regular work sessions Feb. 12, same time (3 p.m.), at the North Bend Library Meeting Room. Additionally the various writing “cafes” will continue this week, too. Hope all you have your electricity back and speedy recovery to those of us fighting the latest round of the virus du jour.

(Sunday1/22/12 @ 0954 hrs.)

Weekly Writing Prompt — January 12, 2012 Edition

January 12, 2012Weekly Writing Promptcasz

Writers:

My apologies for the delay in this Email. A boxing match between comcast and my household occurred this week, making internet access an issue. And since my weekly notes on what to share with you were caught up in the cloud…I was a kept getting this to you sooner.

I must revert to numbering the items this week to be sure that I don’t miss a news item for you.

1. Board meeting was rescheduled to Jan. 17th at 5:15 p.m. at Carriage Insurance. Feel free to attend: topics of conversation = writing contest, word jazz, annual journal

2. Don’t forget Friday’s Day Trippers will now appear at the Black Dog in Snoqualmie. Same time (9:30 a.m. until noonish), just a different location. We have another writing gathering at Toad’s in North Bend. So don’t worry we won’t stop supporting them. Come to Monday Midday Muse at Toad’s beginning at 11 a.m. until about 1 p.m. Hope to see you there.

3. PNWA contest and ABNA are upcoming. Get involved. There is also a ton of other contests, grants and fellowships available. Keep writing and Send It Out!

4. Need to know who plans are participating in Word Jazz (and thereby our annual journal). Please send me a message. Remember the writing prompt for both is: We’re looking for at least three of these words to be in the prose or poem that you submit as members of SnoValley Writes!: Three, Magic, Number, Valley, Anniversary, Coffee, Friends, Ashes, Determination, or Quest. There are no bonus points if you get all the words. But, feel free to challenge yourself. No more than 1500 words. Any genre. Short Story, Poem, Essay or even one-act play! Go for it!

5. There should be a number five, yes? Things must be evenly bundled. Ha! Nothing is ever neat and clean entirely. Just the best we can humanly do. Which leads me to your prompt for the day: “Don’t write for fifteen minutes — talk for fifteen minutes. Into a recorder (most phones come with them nowadays). Don’t just ramble: endeavor to tell a story. It can be a story you already know or one you invent on the spot.” (This prompt brought to you by the fabulous author, Chuck Wendig and his book “500 Ways to Be a Better Writer.” You can find him at terribleminds.com Note: He has writer’s turrets…you’ve been warned.)

6. Now your Writing Zen for the Day:

“The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless.” ~Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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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 — January 4, 2012 Edition

January 4, 2012Weekly Writing Promptboard meeting, day trippers, weekly writing prompt, Word Jazz, writer's cafe, writing contestcasz

Happy New Year Writers!

What are your New Year’s Resolutions for your Writing?

Me? I’m trying to get back to basics and meet my personal word count five days a week.

A quick note before I forget, I’ll be forwarding you all another email under separate cover regarding another contest and conference. So be sure to look for that.

Busy week coming up in the SnoValley Writes! World.

Friday (1/5) — Day Trippers, 9:30 a.m., Toad’s Coffee House in North Bend — write, consume caffeine and get literary energy.

Sunday (1/8) — Regular Work Session, 3 p.m., North Bend Library Meeting Room (be sure to RSVP, so I can plan accordingly. Topic = Revision Tips & Tactics — so bring a project to ‘revise’)

Tuesday (1/10) — Writer’s Cafe, 6:30 p.m., Carriage House — Tea there to share, or bring your own coffee/soda/snacks. Write, Share, Get Inspired

Wednesday (1/11) — SnoValley Writes! Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Carriage House, All invited to attend (Word Jazz, Writing Contest, Next Journal — all up for discussion)

Again, I can’t stress enough how much RSVP’ing for the work sessions help. Lesson plans are tailored for number of authors attending. So, please do shoot me a quick Email to confirm your attendance.

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Today’s prompt has to do with self-improvement.

Tell me a story about you or your protagonist when a goal for self-improvement (losing weight, not being so angry, being more assertive, etc.) has gone horribly wrong. Develop your character through the trials and tribulations of trying to get better and having a different lesson entirely presented to her/him. Losing weight makes them lose their friends because they become obsessed with unreasonable eating and exercise, perhaps? They try to curb their quick temper and learn that they’ve gone to the point of letting people just walk all over them. Torture them through their imperfect humanity. Give your reader a real honest-to-goodness lesson on the intricate balances of life.

Bring this story with you on Sunday — or some other project to work on revision.

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And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“We learn to do something by doing it. There is no other way.” — John Holt, Educator

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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 — The last for the year 2011 (Dec. 14, 2011 Edition)

December 14, 2011Weekly Writing PromptFinishing Stories, Glimmer Train, Hugo House, Views Voices & Verses, Word Jazzcasz

Holiday Greetings to all you literary types!

Here’s hoping you get lots of books, writing tech gadgets, hugs and support from your friends and family, with a promise to yourself that you will make your writing a priority for 2012.

First point of business, the board meeting for tonight has been cancelled. Work and illness make it a necessity to look towards January for the next. I’ll remind you closer to the time.

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Vicky Bastedo has stepped up to be the project manager for Word Jazz. She will be interfacing with Boxley’s to find out the date of when we’ll be having it. In the meantime you need to be writing on the theme. For those that missed it: here’s the theme:

We’re looking for at least three of these words to be in the prose or poem that you submit as members of SnoValley Writes!: Three, Magic, Number, Valley, Anniversary, Coffee, Friends, Ashes, Determination, or Quest. There are no bonus points if you get all the words. But, feel free to challenge yourself.

That will also be the prompt for our writing contest, for which we still need a project manager. This person should be able to interface with many of the other organizations in the valley, including the schools and businesses. I will help that person, but the organization needs them to take the helm.

We will be putting out another journal, too, with this. The above theme will be inclusive in that as well. So if you want a piece considered for publication — please put it in there. Deadline will likely be in February, so you dont’ have much time! More details to come.

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Hugo House and Glimmer Train have deadlines coming up. Google them for all the details. Get your work out there. There are several of us trying for the Hugo House one, so let us know if you’re going to enter the “end of the line” theme, and we’ll all save some postage and do a “carpool” packet run.

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Don’t know what to write for any of the above? Well here’s a start of a story I came across when trying to determine which stories I’d be sending out this month. It didn’t have a title, and I had only a vague memory of writing it — but I was obviously interrupted. Feel free to use this to jump off for your own story. Bonus points if you include any of the words from the writing contest/word jazz theme. If you are aiming to have it part of the journal or Word Jazz, be sure to keep it to 1500 words:

“He just sat there looking at her, poking the toast point in and out of the fried egg, making a slooshing and sucking noise with the egg yolk. He laughed inside his head. She looked terrified.”

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And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind.” ~Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

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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. 7, 2011 Edition

December 7, 2011Weekly Writing Promptcasz

Greetings Writers!

I looked up at the calendar today and was stunned to realize that there was no note of it being Pearl Harbor Day. The reaction to those events were very similar to modern generations reactions to 9/11. I didn’t say the same, I said similar. For instance, after 9/11 my maternal grandfather, affectionately known as Opa, recounted the same type of feeling of coming together, before that moment, the United States was not involved in the war that was sparking in Europe already. Both my grandfathers would serve in the campaigns in the Pacific. Opa would be in the battle at Midway.

Why are you telling us this, Casz? Because it made me think about how histories both in the larger context and in the individual context are interpreted by writers. I’ve recently re-read Slaughter House Five by Kurt Vonnegut. The influences of history on his stories are clear. What are the influences of current events, or events throughout your life and how do they influence your writing? Ponder that for a bit, as you meditate today or drink your coffee or drive your kids to school or walk the dog. Think about it, reflect. Knowing the influences of your writing is a good thing.

Today’s prompt is an opportunity as we approach the darkest part of the year (as I write this I still can’t see the sun and it’s after 7 a.m.!), to reflect on a moment in history that has made a huge impact on you and let it seep, trickle, wash or even flood into your stories. Pick a moment in your personal life (or your character’s life) and write from the perspective of one who is experiencing it or how it affects you/the character’s choices. Did you move away from the big city because of a crime? Did you lose a loved one in war? Was the birth of death of someone in your life a catalyst for change? Often times in our fiction we neglect to put outer world events in it that effect the environment of the characters in the story. In your quest to find the interiority of the protagonist and antagonist (if you dare) don’t forget that external forces can also play a hand on what happens. What happened during the Cuban Missile Crisis to the mother of your character? When the Berlin Wall came down? Where was your character when Rodney King was beaten? Even something as simple as your character’s high school closing 20 years after she graduated? Or a favorite childhood spot is now a parking lot (thank you Chrissie)? Simply put, how does history through the eyes of your story look? Show us. Write. Don’t try to sugar coat, unless that’s how it looks for your character. Make it real. Make us feel what your character does.

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Important SnoValley Writes! Dates:

December 9: DayTrippers – Meet at Toad’s in North Bend for Writing, Critique Help and general literary camraderie. 9:30 a.m. until about noon.

December 11: Our last regular work session of 2011. Be prepared to look back and look forward. Bring your dreams and goal sheets (If you don’t know what that is, we’ll have extras). 3 p.m. (Until about 4:45 p.m.) North Bend Library Meeting Room.

December 13: Writer’s Cafe at Carriage House (3rd St & Bendigo in North Bend), 6:30 p.m. until about 9:30 p.m., Come to the back door. Bring your own beverages and snacks; although there is tea to share.

December 14: Board meeting for SnoValley Writes at 7:30 p.m. at Carriage House. All are welcome to attend. It is a working session to fill out the 501c3 application. One last push before we break for the holidays.

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Still need Project Manager for Word Jazz, Writing Contest, Journal, and Summer Arts Hall Project. Let Casz or one of the other Board Members know if you’re interested.

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And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“The noun of self becomes a verb. This flashpoint of creation in the present moment is where work and play merge.” ~Stephen Nachmanovitch.

—
—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
SnoValley 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 — November 30, 2011 edition

November 30, 2011Weekly Writing Promptcasz

Congratulations to all the folks who have written at least or more than 50,000 words this month. I’m closing in on your heels, but not sure I will get there. But given all that I do, even if I only reach 35k, I’ll be doing well and have another manuscript well on its way to finishing.

If you’re still having to write to reach your NaNoWriMo goal today, have no fear, there are two write-ins. One at George’s beginning shortly at 8:30 a.m. (I’ll try to get out of my pajamas and make it there on time, but there is still a dog to walk). Also beginning at 2 p.m. (or there abouts) many of us will take over the back corner of the bar and grill (at least that is the plan). I’m bringing a cushion to sit on because I will be there until they throw my fanny out.

Come cross the finish line with many of us today.

Don’t forget, Thank Goodness It’s Over Party on Thursday, Dec. 1 at Snoqualmie Brewery and Tap Room, 6:30 p.m., We’ll be in the loft area again (just like for the kick-off). Here’s the deal on that:

Like a good bookend, it will be much the same as our kickoff. Instead of goodie bags, there will be raffle prizes to give away (we hope)! Bring your wallet, your entourage, and your appetite!

Also, the way our (white elephant) raffle prizes work: since we can’t afford to just go out and buy a bunch of raffle prizes (we wish we were made of money), we rely on our participants to help us out in that department. Have a tchotchke that you don’t want anymore? A book you’re done with? Some fine china? A gigantic stuffed monkey or octopus (I’m so vying for the latter)? A copy of your novel? A half-gone box of chocolate? A Starbucks gift certificate? Whatever you’d like to have up for grabs on the prize table is fine with us, as long as it’s family friendly and, you know, not alive. Time to clean out the attic! I know we can rely on you to make this selection of prizes the best ever!

Prizes to be awarded:
1st and 2nd to finish
Most words by end of Nano
Best last sprint (most words in last two days)
Most Write-In attendances
Least amount of words (and still showed up to the party! Go you!)
Best Opening Lines (as we will vote that evening, so bring yours)
Manuscript with the most references to Coffee in it. (count before you come – honor system)

Best Missing Something Duck reference (so bring yours to be voted on)

Also feel free to bring a small snippet (no more than 1,500 words) from your NaNo that you’d want to share with all of us — as in do a reading.

And that, friends, is our TGIO party in a nutshell. We’d love to have you all there!

Just RSVP if you’re coming.

Thanks! Hope to see you there!

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Your prompt (include it in your NaNo if necessary):

Put yourself or your character in a situation where they have worked hard to prevent something, but on the other side of the situation he/she realizes that fighting the situation was the wrong thing to do. She should have let fate take it’s course. Show me the pain and angst and the folly of humans that think they can control life, when in fact that’s hardly the case oftentimes.

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Board meeting December 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Carriage House. All welcome to attend. It will be a work party for our 501c3 application.

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Still looking for volunteers to help organize the writing contest, our annual journal and Word Jazz. Please let us know.

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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