Category: writing
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Free Verse Friday: 40
Welcome to Another Free Verse Friday. This week’s poem reflects on one of life’s major milestones. Turning forty often brings a mix of reflection, uncertainty, acceptance, and hope. “40” explores the realization that while some dreams may have been delayed and some expectations left unmet, there is still time to embrace change, pursue new beginnings,…
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Memory Lost – Prompt Friday: A Crime You Can’t Remember
This Week’s Prompt Friday Challenge Write this scene: A news headline flashes across the screen—you’ve killed someone. You have no recollection of what happened. The police have you barricaded in your house. Who did you kill? And why? My Response to the Prompt I sat down on the sofa after a satisfying breakfast. Before I…
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An Old Poetry Style – Does It Still Exist?
I came across a poem I wrote in my early twenties. It plays with the idea of an acrostic, and it made me wonder… do people still enjoy this kind of poetry? Here it is: Below the riverbankElegant sunset ariseHigh above the riverbank the sun shinesInside the river swarm a school of fishNever before have…
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Free Verse Friday – The Author of Murder
We slay with sayings.Words cutting like knives.Blood spatter.Someone lying on the floor.A pool of blood.The plot thickens.Whodunit?Was it Jack, Bobby, or Johnny?Too many to choose—A red herring shows its face.Yet nothing falls into place. Join the Conversation Drop your verse in the comments. If you enjoyed this poem, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest…
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3 Years to Publish My Poetry Book – What I Learned
The Journey to Self-Publishing For years, I dreamed of getting my work published. I decided to start with poetry, thinking it would be faster. I was wrong. Poetry books take just as much time—if not more. Finding the right poems for a cohesive collection is challenging. I wanted my poetry book to build my readership…
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Prompt Friday – Bloody
Write this scene:You are having a peaceful dinner at a restaurant when bullets start flying, and one shatters the glass you pick up to drink. My Response Crab Envy Marvelle, New JerseyApril 10, 2026 — 6:00 PM Sharon’s food had just arrived. She was pleased because she was starving after skipping lunch. Her stomach rumbled.…
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You Can Design Your Own Book Cover — Here’s How
Do you want to design your own book cover, but keep hearing that you shouldn’t? Many articles strongly push authors to hire professional cover designers. Others say you can do it yourself. I am not here to pressure you into hiring a professional. Chances are, you have found this article because you cannot afford one…
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Free Verse Friday – Show Up
Show up when it’s tough.Show up when you have nothing to say.Show up when life gets too busy.Show up when doubt creeps in. Show up when only three words come out.Show up when everyone is telling you you’ll never make it.Show up when social media interaction is low.Show up when your family is driving you…
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Prompt Friday – We’re Watching
Prompt Prompt Friday: Write this scene. You return from lunch to find a flash drive on your desk with a note that says we’re watching. You must follow the directions on the flash drive, and you only have one hour to complete the tasks. My Response I entered my office after a disappointing lunch. Two…
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Before I Knew I Was Writing a Thriller | Expanding a Story Into a Novella
When a Story Won’t Let Go Stories are always rolling around in my head—until one starts screaming louder than the others. That’s exactly how I realized I was writing a thriller without even knowing it. Has that ever happened to you? Revisiting Old Work After finishing my poetry book and preparing it for publication, I…