Weekly Writing Prompt — June 12, 2013 Edition

Posted on June 12, 2013 by admin

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

–
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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

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Weekly Writing Prompt — June 5, 2013 Edition

Posted on June 5, 2013 by admin

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

–

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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

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Weekly Writing Prompt — May 29, 2013 Edition

Posted on May 29, 2013 by admin

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

Posted in Weekly Writing Prompt | Tagged NaNoWriMo, stepping up, summer schedule, website, writer's cafe | Leave a comment

Weekly Writing Prompt — May 22, 2013 Edition

Posted on May 22, 2013 by admin

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

Posted in Weekly Writing Prompt | Tagged making writing a priority, mining your personal life, moment of writing zen | Leave a comment

Weekly Writing Prompt — May 16, 2013 Edition

Posted on May 16, 2013 by admin

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

–
–
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

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Weekly Writing Prompt — May 8, 2013 Edition

Posted on May 16, 2013 by admin

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.

*********

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.

**********

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

Posted in Weekly Writing Prompt | Leave a comment

Weekly Writing Prompt — May 1, 2013 Edition

Posted on May 16, 2013 by admin

Writers!

Happy May Day!

May Day, the celebration of growth is where we start our prompt. I want you to pick about something that grows — a plant, a child, a government, whatever, and write about it. Show me its evolution — whether it was from good to bad, etc.

Just free write, don’t worry about spelling, punctuation, any of that. Grow your story. Grow your writing. Grow, grow, grow.

Sensing a theme here?

Want to grow more? Plan to be at our next work session, come to a writing cafe, actually DO your writing prompt….

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow…” ~

Lawrence Clark Powell

–
–
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

Posted in Weekly Writing Prompt | Leave a comment

Weekly Writing Prompt — April 24, 2013 Edition

Posted on May 16, 2013 by admin

Today:

Grab it by the proverbial reins and ride it well.

Grab a notebook and pen (no laptops, my fellow writers). Find a spot in the sun. Soak up that vitamin D. Free write. Don’t think. Just write. Sit in the sun and write. Take 5 minutes, 10, 15, 30, an hour…however long you can mange. Do it.

Felt good, didn’t it?

See you all tonight at Writers Cafe at Sawdust Coffee Co. at the North Bend Outlet Center. 6 p.m. If not tonight, perhaps Friday morning at The Black Dog. 9:30 a.m.

**********

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“When we practice the art of close observation, we gain an emotional palette that has more shades, more possibilities, than the screaming extremes of black and white headlines declaring catastrophe and crisis.” ~Julia Cameron

–
–
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

Posted in Weekly Writing Prompt | Leave a comment

Weekly Writing Prompt — April 17, 2013 Edition

Posted on April 18, 2013 by admin

My day (Wednesday) was co-opted by all the BE-A-RESPONSIBLE-ADULT-type things. Add to that oversleeping and the day was away from me before it even started.

So, your prompt is late. Things always happen for a reason. I’m guessing you needed extra time, too.

At any rate, I need to remind you all that the April 23 Workshop has been cancelled due to a special event at the North Bend Library.

Our next session is May 14 where we will be mining our lives for great writing material. I went to a terrific workshop last Sunday, which serendipitously dealt with the same thing — so now I have even more ammo to help you all. As we get closer I’ll ask you for RSVPs. Just put it on your calendar now. Following the 14th, our next Workshop will be May 28.

*********

Today’s prompt:

As you have been aware, oftentimes, I pull from my own journey in my writing life to help push you all along. This week I’ve been reflecting on my time with SnoValley Writes!. What I discovered is that its time for me to find a writing mentor. When I was back at University, I naturally had some mentors in my creative writing and literature professors. But, I’ve been out of Uni since 2011. I miss that mentoring. Although, I derive a great benefit in the form of inspiration and motivation from all of you, I’m seeking a very personal relationship with another, likely more experienced writer.

So I’ve been journaling about hoping that person appears. I want you to do the same. I want you to journal about a need in your life. It doesn’t have to be writing-focused, but it could be. You decide. What’s your most pressing need? Journal about it. Put it in the hands of the universe (God, Allah, Buddha, Odin — whatever is your bent).

Then watch for synchronicity. Ask yourself each day how and where perhaps things are moving in the direction of having that need met. Keep journaling about it. At our writing workshop session on May 14, let’s talk about it.

This exercise should take you about 5 minutes a day until May 14. Dig deep. Find that need. Talk to yourself and the universe about fixing it.

*****

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.”
― Christina Baldwin

–
–
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

Posted in Weekly Writing Prompt | Tagged journaling, looking for a mentor, mining our lives, weekly writing prompt | Comments Off

Weekly Writing Prompt — April 10, 2013 Edition

Posted on April 18, 2013 by admin

Busy, busy writing week!

We had an awesome workshop last night. Be advised that our April 23rd workshop is canceled, because the library has a special event. I would encourage everyone to do the following night’s Writer’s Cafe at Sawdust Coffee Co. I’ll be there and will probably have some exercises or be available for critiquing.

So next workshop will be May 14th. We’ll be working on “mining” our lives for creative stories. It’s going to be great. Please put it on your calendar.

And coming up tonight and this week:

Writer’s Cafe’ will be travelling this week to Pioneer Coffee in North Bend for a Reading and Book Signing involving SnoValley Writes! author, Jackie Fedyk and local artist Leslie Moon for their book, Agatha Hattie. Here’s a link to more info: https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/289260581205683/?fref=ts It runs from 6:00 – 8:00 with a reading and door prize each 1/2 hour. Hope to see you there!

Also, come and write with us on Saturday this week, the 13th, for the NaNoWriMo Writing Marathon. SnoValley Writes! will be shooting for 30 hours or more between all of the writers, so come and contribute what you can. You can work on any project including editing to be counted toward the total. We’ll be at North Bend Bar & Grill starting at 9:30 and will move to Pioneer Coffee from 11:30 – 5:30 or 6:00. The official NaNoWriMo event info is here: http://www.nanowrimo.org/marathon. You can also look for check-ins on our Regional Forum for Snoqualmie Valley on the NaNoWriMo site. You are welcome to donate to NaNo as part of this event, but you can write with us without monetary obligation other than an appreciative order from whichever cafe’ you are visiting.

My plan is to join at least first thing in the morning at the grill and then we’ll see whether baseball will interrupt before I come back and finish at Pioneer in the afternoon. You could do the same. Come when you can, leave when you must. Make time for your writing. We’re all hanging there with you!

And that, my fellow authors, is your prompt. Get out and connect with your fellow writers. Go to the reading tonight. Participate in the Writers Cafe on Friday morning at the Black Dog or the Writing Marathon this week.

Do it. You have my permission. You’re a writer. Go be with other writers, listen, read, write.

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“A writer without interest or sympathy for the foibles of his fellow man is not conceivable as a writer.”- Joseph Conrad
P.S.: The snovalleywrites.org site is currently down. My server crashed due to a hardware failure. the replacement part then crashed as well. We got a new part, but now we have to reload everything and that takes some time (since we’ve been doing this for several years). Hopefully it will be up by Thursday morning. I’ll keep you posted.

–
–
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

Posted in Weekly Writing Prompt | Tagged SnoValley Writes!, weekly writing prompt | Comments Off

Lawrence Clark Powell

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