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Category Archives: Writing prompt
4 Ways to Develop Better Writing Habits in 2019
By Desiree Villena To quote a line from Charles Duhigg’s famous book, The Power of Habit:“There’s nothing you can’t do if you get the habits right.” And I couldn’t agree more. Human beings are creatures of habit — what we … Continue reading
Posted in Guest writer, Writing prompt, writing workshop
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Halifax Redux
By Sarah White I’m taking a four-part self-guided workshop with Creative Nonfiction this month, titled “Playing with Patterns: Crafting the Braided & Collage Essays.” The intent is to draw us into examining the creative potential of juxtaposing themes through collage … Continue reading
Posted in Sarah's memoir, Writing prompt
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What meaning does a purse carry?
Writing prompt: I started a 4-week “Flash Memoir Write-In” workshop in Madison recently. One woman wrote about her dad’s anger when she wouldn’t start carrying a purse. (Every woman knows that’s the cusp of womanhood, like that other thing). I … Continue reading
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A writing prompt from “Your Life as Story” by Tristine Rainer
My Amazon order history tells me I bought Your Life as Story: Discovering the “New Autobiography” and Writing Memoir as Literature by Tristine Rainer in 2004. That makes it about the oldest book in my “write your memoir” library, and … Continue reading
Posted in Book review, Writing prompt
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Got “snapshot” memories? Try writing Flash Memoir.
Memories are frequently more like snapshots than movies. So why not apply the techniques of flash fiction to our own life stories? “Going small” allows us to focus on the moments in which life is truly lived, absorbing lessons that would be hard to … Continue reading
Brief but Wonderful
In a time-starved world, it feels wonderful when we have the opportunity to really slow down and delve into something, whether it’s spending an afternoon reading for pleasure, or wandering the halls of an art museum, or lingering over a … Continue reading
Posted in Call for action, Writing prompt, writing workshop
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“Inserimento” and the Torre Cambiaso
By Sarah White “Cena? Non ce stasera,” the barrista tells us. Dinner will not be served tonight. The little restaurant of the Torre Cambiaso hotel is closed, because this is a Monday. This means there really WILL be no dinner, … Continue reading
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Falling Through the Rabbit Hole
I’ve been asking for stories of inserimento lately–see submission guidelines here. Doug Elwell answered the call with the following Vietnam-era essay. By Doug Elwell At the end of a long day of being poked and prodded in places one should never have … Continue reading
Posted in Guest writer, Writing prompt
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Travel “Inserimento” and a Book Review: Story Genius by Lisa Cron
Lately I’ve been calling for your travel “inserimento” stories–settling-in tales about arriving in a new location for the first time. Meanwhile I’ve been reading Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel by … Continue reading
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True Stories Well Told 
Musings on Author’s Notes, Disclaimers, and Such
I have recently returned from my first residency as a student in the University of King’s College MFA-Creative Nonfiction program. One of the reasons I chose this program (let’s not speak of the attractions of a program requiring visits to … Continue reading →