Category: writing
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Prompt Friday – The Alien Arena
Prompt Write this scene. You wake up nude, chained to what appears to be a stripper pole, in a room filled with strange-looking people and creatures. My Response Voices faded in and out as I surfaced from unconsciousness. A headache bloomed behind my eyes. I blinked against a blur of lights until my vision steadied.…
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What Genre Are You Writing In? When Your Story Becomes Multiple Genres
Have you ever started writing a short story or novel in one genre, only to realize later that it turned into something completely different? This has happened to me more than once. I enjoy writing mysteries and police procedurals, but when I’m working on a story, I often find myself adding romantic elements along the…
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Prompt Friday – Unknown Caller
Prompt Write this scene. Your cellphone is found at a crime scene, and it’s ringing. The caller ID reads “Unknown.” My Response I pulled up behind a black-and-white cruiser. The heat kissed me in an instant caress, the moment I stepped out. I adjusted the collar of my light blue shirt as I headed over…
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What Your Writer’s Block Might Be Telling You
You sit down to write, only to realize that your story has somehow swum away and refuses to return. The ideas that once felt clear suddenly feel distant. The scene you were excited to write won’t come together. Writer’s block can feel frustrating, but most of the time it isn’t random. Usually, it’s a sign…
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Prompt Friday – Caught in the Trap
Prompt Write this scene. You are running through the woods with your dog, and you hear a click. My Response My lungs burned, each breath making my throat raw. My legs screamed with every stride—I hadn’t run like this in years. Branches whipped against my arms, the ground of the woods uneven beneath my sneakers,…
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Experimentation with Limerick Poetry
As a lover of poetry, I’ve always enjoyed trying different poetic forms. A few years back, I experimented with limerick poetry and wrote two limericks. Recently, I returned to them to do some editing and rereading—and while revisiting them, I ended up writing a new one. I like them well enough. They may not be…
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Writing Prompts: Do They Help Writers or Hinder Them?
Photo by: Roman Bulatov Do Writing Prompts Actually Help Writers? Have you ever created and finished a story from a writing prompt? I can’t say that I have—but I have started many ideas from them. I’m not always sure if their purpose is to spark an idea, to guide you into finishing a story or…
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How Do You Tackle Your Writing Projects?
Photo by: Juan Ignacio Rodriguez Moronta The Spark of Inspiration How do you tackle your writing projects? The way you approach a project can determine how it progresses. What sparks your idea? What do you do with that idea once it forms? Do you start writing right away, or let it marinate? It all begins…
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Unlocking the Art of Thoughtful Book Reviews
Photo by: Sheikh Sahin Do you struggle with writing book reviews? Do you ever find it hard to go beyond simply saying, “I liked this book”? Most of the time, I enjoy a poem, story, or novel without immediately knowing why. I just know it was great—I couldn’t put it down. But as readers, we…
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Continuous Learning for Writers: A Path to Success
Photo by: Oleg Gapeenko Honing Your Craft? As a writer, do you continue to learn and sharpen your skills? I do. I haven’t been published yet, but I’m committed to improving. I research writing constantly—watching videos, reading books, and learning from authors who write and edit for a living. It’s encouraging (and humbling) to see…