This is my handout from the workshop I conducted at the Story Circle Network Writing Conference in Austin, Texas 2 weeks ago. Some helpful hints on overcoming writer’s block and establishing good habits, writing and otherwise. Benefits of Writing 20 Minutes a Day: Increased fluidity, developing voice, discovering who you are and how you think,…
Tag: writing practice
A Memory of My Brother, George
One early evening in summer, my older brother George and I headed off to the Little League baseball field where he was going to play a game and I was going to watch. He was eleven and I was eight. I was barefooted and wore shorts and a thin top; he had on his baseball…
The Key to Happiness: Marry Something.
So here I am, stumbling along. Not sure what to say or do. Not clear when or where to go. Maybe it’s time to just recognize that silence is an acceptable alternative. Except when it comes to commitment. After all, there is that moment when you just have to say, “No, I’m here. I’m not…
Catnapper in the Neighborhood?
This morning at 6 am I looked out my front window on the porch and there I saw Charlie, our tabby cat, who disappeared six months ago. By the time I deposited Cordelia out back and ran back up to the front porch, Charlie was gone. Again. I was elated, however, since Charlie was not…
At This Very Moment
My dog is lying at the back door looking out into the dark The street in front of my house only has an occasional car going by The stained glass lampshades here in the living room glow red and green A helicopter hums far overhead My cat meows from the chair in the other room…
Gratitude
My older sister died recently from complications from dementia, which developed as a result of a severe concussion from a bike accident 25 years ago. I expect if she could talk to me now, she’d say that she’s grateful to have died when she did since her health over the past eight years had slowly…
Writing Prompt: Novel readers: I need your help!
I have written about four chapters of a new novel, but now I’m stuck. I want to have a different kind of structure – you know like Fried Green Tomatoes, where it’s a story inside a story, or Water for Elephants where there are two stories at the same time: the old man’s current life…
Flash Essay Prompt: My Sister’s Eulogy: To Joke or Not to Joke?
I have been working today on my sister’s eulogy for her memorial service this upcoming Saturday. I have done this once before, giving the eulogy for a sibling, and it is a tough task under the best of circumstances. How is it possible to convey how one feels about a beloved sister or brother? In…
Writing Prompt: My Husband’s Birthday
My husband’s birthday party swelled to an inpromptu 14. We ended up having to buy 2 chickens to supplement my 2 homemade lasagnas. Lots of laughter, food and fun. Ray thanked me three times for such a wonderful evening. Homemade chocolate cake and strawberry cream pie capped off the night. Not much food left. The…
Flash Essay Prompt: Birthday
My husband’s birthday is tomorrow. I spent the evening making two lasagnas: ground turkey and spinach, plus chocolate cookies and a pie crust for a coconut meringue pie. We are having a little party with two of our three kids, their friends, and a few of our friends tomorrow evening. My husband is a good…
20 Minutes a Day 