Tag Archives: Writing Prompt

Weekly Writing Prompt — April 20, 2017 Edition

April 20, 2017Weekly Writing Promptfree valley publishing, norwescon, open mic, spoken word, wine and words, Writing Promptadmin

Writers:

My apologies that this is delayed. I had a very ill son yesterday and it ate my entire day just trying to get him access to medical care. All is on the mend now, so back to writing life efforts.

If you happened to take advantage of the head-down writing time at the library meeting room last week, please email me and let me know. I need to get numbers to the library.

The conference was overwhelmingly inspirational and I encourage you to chat me, Takako, Sheri, Maureen, or Rachel up about our experience.

Your prompt this week is to don one thing: Be at the Wine & Words at The Black Dog in Snoqualmie on Thursday, April 27 at 6 p.m. It will be a great evening of story, wine, and writerly connection. “It’s like Live Audio Books!” Hope to see you there. You’ll be there, right? Please be there. We’re trying hard to stick to our mission of raising literary awareness in our community. This event is one that does just that. A big thank you to Sheri J. Kennedy and Free Valley Publishing for leading the charge on this one.

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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 — March 2, 2016 Edition

March 3, 2016Weekly Writing Promptmonths as characters, workshops, Writing Promptadmin

Writers:

March already! I hope you’re making all your writing goals for 2016. If you’ve fallen off the path of success, no time like now to get back on it.

March always seems to be a month where things go very well or very badly for me, personally. Therein lies your writing prompt. I want you to think about the months of the year as distinct characters. Then write a short story about your particular character. Your goal is at least 1,500 words. But if you only get 1,000 or come up with more like 2,500, that’s fine, too. The goal is to write and come up with something unique. I’d love to see some of you post this exercise on your individual blogs, too.

Well what are you waiting for? The Ides of March? Blargh! Get on it! The author in you demands it.

Remember, March 19 is the date of the next workshop. The subject is: Direct Application of Critique to Enhance Your Novel

Lastly, the much delayed anthology that yours truly is a part of is going to be hitting your favorite bookseller soon. In as much, I’ll be interviewing with NPR next week in Seattle regarding the anthology. More details as they arrive. To be sure, all of you will be with me in that broadcast booth.

Now your moment of Writing Zen:

“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” ~ Hunter S. Thompson

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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 — March 12, 2014 Edition

March 12, 2014Weekly Writing Promptfield trip, march 25, schedule snafu, Writing Promptadmin

Writers:

Greetings. Here at Thrasher Studios, the sun is shining and I’m getting ready to plant some of the seeds in the garden. Hopefully you’ll have some time to soak up that juicy sunshine and get your Vitamin D & K fixes. Many folks around these parts yesterday were what I have termed “sun drunk.” Let the UV Ray Party continue. 🙂

Those who did attend the workshop yesterday learned quite a bit. I’m happy to pass along whatever knowledge, skills, tips, tactics, etc. in regards to the writing life. Hemingway said that writers needed to stick together like beggars and thieves. Thanks for sticking with Sno Valley Writes! all these years. We’re approaching our 6th anniversary. I can easily report that everyone has grown as a writer, author, and artist since our inception. Way to go!

We’ll continue throughout the months to help anyone with solidifying their online presence as an author. There’s some easy tools out there to use. I hope you all go and get it done.

Important: In regards to our March 25th workshop, there was a scheduling snafu at the library, so we don’t have the space there. I was trying to put together a literary salon and have a special speaker come, but I wasn’t able to pull that off under short notice. However, I’m not without ideas.

There is a couple of literary events we could field-trip to together.

Poetry reading

Book reading

Competitive Storytelling

If any of these sound interesting (I’m kind of partial to the competitive storytelling as I am aware of the work of the authors there and I think there might be some good laughs…but I’ll go with majority rule), please let me know what your preference is. If you, also, have ideas, please speak up. I hope to have a plan before next week’s prompt, so don’t delay in voicing your preference.

That is your prompt this week. Give Casz suggestions, ideas, your preferences on what to do with our March 25th Workshop.

Now your moment of Writing Zen:

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.” ~Theodore Roosevelt

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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 — April 3, 2013 Edition

April 3, 2013Weekly Writing Promptbooks, MFA on the cheap, reading to write, stephen king, The Artist's Way, Writing Promptadmin

Greetings writers. I almost don’t know what to tell you since we’ve finished The Artist’s Way. I’m still digesting every thing I learned going through the book (for the third time). I very much appreciate the opportunity to have gone through it with all of you. I love your stories of discoveries, watching everyone move from “stuck” or “blocked” to creating like mad. Keep it up. Don’t give up on your morning pages, or your artist’s dates, or being aware of the synchronicity we’re blessed with as we plant the seeds of our dreams and allow them to blossom.

First up, announcements:

Calling All NaNoRhinos for NaNoWriMo Writing Marathon!

Join other SnoValley Writes! members for an 8 hour write-in on Saturday, April 13th.

Write for 2-4-6…can you write for 8 hours? Edit your NaNo from November. Get ahead on blog posts. Anything related to writing counts.

We’ll start at 9:30 am at the North Bend Bar and Grill for brekkie writing and then move to Pioneer Coffee at about 11:30. We’ll go through until 5:30 or until the last pencil rubs to a nub and the last finger crumples on the keys.

If you feel so inclined, make it official and pledge to the NaNoWriMo cause. Info here: http://nanowrimo.org/marathon

Please RSVP to sherikcarriage@msn.com if you know you’re coming.

Come when you can, leave when you must. Spring forward on your writing with us!

I am going to join all of you for as long as I can; hopefully you’ll do the same — come when you can; leave when you must.

Don’t forget, April 9, at 6 p.m. is our next Writing Work Shop at the North Bend Library. 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. We’ll continue our MFA on the Cheap lesson plans. We’ll be talking about marketing ourselves. Seems like perfect timing because I’ve been getting lots of questions about that. Also, it might serve to motivate me to re-invest into my own personal marketing. You all always keep me on my toes. I’m so grateful. Thank you. Be sure to RSVP for the workshop so I can plan exercises accordingly. Also, don’t forget to bring work to trade for feedback.

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Our writing prompt this week is actually reading. I want you to find a book. Read it. Then post a review of the book (hopefully it’s positive, but remember to be a positive critic if you have feedback that isn’t so good, yeah?), post that review on your blog, amazon, goodreads, etc. These are some of the best ways that you can a) learn to be a better writer; b) support other writers, c) encourage others to do the same. It’s a happy circle then.

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And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
― Stephen King

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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 — April 25, 2012 Edition

April 25, 2012Weekly Writing Promptcreative recovery, Detective Work, Healing the Inner Child, The Artist's Way, The Creative Life, The Writing Life, Writing Promptcasz

Writers:

Ah, the rains have return. Our sun sickness that has us fleeing from our desks into the light is now over. But hopefully not for long, yes?

I’ve attached (below) the Detective Work Exercise we did during the Sunday Workshop so you can catch up to the rest of us.

For those who attended Sunday, you will already have these next exercises (as well as the Detective Work). This is part of the work we’re trying to accomplish to obtain creative recovery via The Artist Way (2002). So, I implore you to actually do this work. It’s fun. It’s a self-discovery. And it works. So don’t be shy.

1. Describe your childhood room. If you wish, you may sketch this room. What was your favorite thing about it? What’s your favorite thing about your right now? Nothing? Well, get something you like in there — maybe something from that old childhood room.

2. Describe five traits you like in yourself as a child.

3. List five childhood accomplishments, (straight A’s in seventh grade, trained the dog, punched out the class bully, short-sheeted the priest’s bed). And a treat: list five favorite childhood foods. Buy yourself one of them this week. Yes, Jell-O with bananas is okay.

Now, the below will be new for everyone, but this absolutely should be done before we meet next, which may not be until June due to Mother’s Day and Memorial Day weekend (more on that later).

4. Habits: Take a look at your habits. Many of them may interfere with your self-nurturing and cause shame. Some of the oddest things are self-destructive. Do you have a habit of watching TV you don’t liek? Do you have a habit of hanging out with a really boring friend and just killing time (there’s an expression!)? Some rotten habits are obvious, overt (drinking too much, smoking, eating instead of writing). List three obvious rotten habits. What’s the payoff in continuing them?

Some rotten habits are more subtle (no time to exercise, little time to pray, always helping others, not getting any self-nurturing, hanging out with people who belittle your dreams). List three of your subtle foes. What use do these forms of sabotage have? Be specific.

5. Make a list of friends who nurture you — that’s nurture (give you a sense of your own competency and possibility), not enable (give you the message that you will never get it straight without their help). There is a big difference between being helped and being treated as though we are helpless. List three nurturing friends. Which of their traits, particularly, serve you well?

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So, our workshop meetings in May: The 13th and the the 27th are both holidays, Mothers Day and then the Memorial Day weekend. Historically both of those days are very low attendance. If you’re interested in still doing a workshop on those days, please let me know and we’ll make a decision based upon interest.

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And now for your moment of Writing Zen:

“Creative work is play. It is free speculation using the materials of one’s chosen form.” ~ Stephen Nachmanovitch

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DETECTIVE WORK, AN EXERCISE (From The Artist’s Way, 2002, pg 73-74)

“…A little sleuth work is in order to restore the persons we have abandoned – ourselves. When you complete the following phrases, you may feel strong emotions as you retrieve memories and misplaced fragments of yourself. Allow yourself to free-associate for a sentence or so with each phrase.”

My favorite childhood toy was…
My favorite childhood game was…
The best movie I ever saw as a kid was…
I don’t do it much but I enjoy…
If I could lighten up a little, I’d let myself…
If it weren’t too late, I’d…
My favorite musical instrument is…
The amount of money I spend on treating myself to entertainment each month is…
If I weren’t so stingy with my artist, I’d buy him/her…
Taking time out for myself is…
I am afraid that if I start dreaming…
I secretly enjoy reading…
If I had had a perfect childhood, I’d have grown up to be…
If it didn’t sound so crazy, I’d write or make a…
My parents think artists are …
My (spiritual center – God, Buddha, The Universe, etc.) thinks artists are…
What makes me feel weird about this creative recovery is…
Learning to trust myself is probably…
My most cheer-me-up music is…
My favorite way to dress is…

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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 — November 9, 2011 Edition

November 9, 2011Weekly Writing PromptBook Signing, NaNoWriMo, SnoValley Writes!, Word Jazz, Writing Promptcasz

Wow, 9 days into November already. Yowsa!

NaNoWriMo Update:

Dont’ fear if you’re behind like me. Some of us are late bloomers. Just keep at it. Come to a write-in, too. The word wars work just as well as Write or Die without erasing your hard fought words.

Upcoming Write-Ins: As with all the write-ins, look for the rubber ducky on the table, or at minimum the nano-stickered laptops).

Today: Sawdust Coffee Company, North Bend, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lots of room, plugs, internet, good coffee

Thursday: Happy Hour Write-In at Fall City Roadhouse 4 to 7 p.m. Hosted by DukTap (aka Kathy Gabriel). Meet in the pub.

Friday: Toad’s North Bend, 9:30 am. to 12:30 p.m. If you’re the first one there, get the far back table.

Saturday: North Bend Library from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Hosted by Winney and Quinnleeeee (aka Vicky and Sheri).

Sunday: North Bend Library Meeting Room — Regular Writer’s Work Session (all welcome) 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

(Note: on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the North Bend Library, the King County Library System is presenting The Art of the Novel, a presentation of a variety of narrative artworks to serve as inspiration for a novel. The artworks will relate to the following genres: mystery, fantasy, romance, memoir, historical, thriller and adventure. Need some inspiration? Plan to attend right before our work session)

Monday: Music Muse Write-In at Boxley’s (North Bend) 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., they are opening up a special room for us. So please show support and come out for this one! Jazz in the background to help fuel your writing flame.

Tuesday: Writer’s Cafe, Carriage House (North Bend) 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (this is where I made a breakthrough last night! A great environment to get the words down!)

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Upcoming News:

Nov. 21st — 6:30 p.m. SnoValley Writes! Fall Into Story Book Signing at Selah’s Gifts! Come get some early Holiday Gifts and support your fellow writers. Authors with other works will have them available as well! Do plan to be there!

Dec. 12th SnoValley Writes! Board Meeting 7:30 p.m. Carriage House All invited to attend. This will be a work session to get our Federal Tax Exception worked out.

Needed: Project Manager for Word Jazz!

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Writing Prompt for this week: Go somewhere unusual — the side of the river, a park bench, steal into an empty conference room at lunch — and write, just write, freewrite, whatever comes to mind. That guy Fred whose cubicle is catty-corner from you and is constantly shuffling, the sound of the river’s current along the shore, the sound of the birds in the tree at the park. Anything. Everything. Just sit and write out of your normal writing zone. If you’ve never been to a write-in, that would qualify as well. Mimic a conversation you hear at the cafe. Incorporate it into your prose.

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And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast: in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish.”

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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