The people behind us here in Texas had a house fire the other night. I woke up at 3:30 probably to the sound of fire sirens, but I don’t recall hearing anything. I saw my neighbors out at that hour – kids and adults – but they were calling their dog and I thought perhaps…
Tag: timed writing
Flash Essay: Travels, a Wedding, and Now in Texas
Hi everyone, Sorry for the silence over the past several days. I have been traveling across the west and southwest, have attended a family wedding, have traveled some more, and am now in our Texas house, where a train whistle is blaring out in the night, sounding just like it did when I was growing…
Prompt: Irritating Phrases
Today has been full to overflowing: writing, students, more writing, editing, a writing group and now home to write some more before bed. And I can’t wait for bed. I feel as if that’s all I talk about on this blog, how much I’m looking forward to sleeping. It’s just that it’s my routine at…
Flash Essay Prompt: I’ve Always Wanted…
I’ve always wanted to learn Spanish and Italian (better than my grasp of 30+ years ago. I’ve always wanted to go to India. I’ve always wanted to wear long flowing skirts. I’ve always wanted to learn how to drive a motorcycle. I’ve always wanted to return to singing in a fine chorale again (I sang…
One More Big Paper Finished!
I have been working with a student from 7:30 this evening until now – 1 am. We’ve been online working on a paper together. I have never been so happy to finish a project before – well, yes – I have on several occasions, but right now I am just relieved and happy. I am…
Flash Fiction Prompt: Almost Impossible
It’s almost impossible to explain why I did what I did. I have no real answers to give you. Just that one day I was fine and the next day I wasn’t and it could be explained perhaps because of the death of the girl or my reaction to the accusation of my involvement or…
Flash Fiction Prompt: What Can I Do?
“What can I do?” I asked and they said, “Nothing.” I didn’t know what to say so I left and headed down to the river where I could hear the waves lapping onto the shore and I could sit in the dark and feel safe for the first time all day. I wasn’t a bad…
Prompt: Write As If You’re Dying and Talking to an Audience of Dying People
We all know that we don’t have long on this earth. That’s the case, truly, no matter our age or our health. We are here but for a while under the best of circumstances. And we all know the admonitions we’ve heard all of our lives about seizing the moment, smelling the roses, living as…
Inspiration for Writing and Life
I have just come from seeing The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and the thoughts below are inspired by this A1 movie, which I highly recommend. I want: 1) To travel to faraway places so I can remind myself that I’m still young enough to be flexible, which will reflect itself in my writing. 2) To…
Back to My Blog
Back to regular postings. Glad to be back home to my blog. Aware that while I like presenting information, I love plain ole writing more. Not that I have much to say tonight. Have been talking all day. Glad to have friends and family to talk with; happy too to end the day in silence. …
20 Minutes a Day 