Category Archives: Writing prompt
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
“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
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
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
A Guatemalan Inserimento
Last week I called for your travel “inserimento” stories–settling-in tales about arriving in a new location for the first time. Several of you have responded, so here come the stories! – Sarah By “WanderN Wayne” Hammerstrom As WanderNWayne, people assume … Continue reading
A Southern Indiana “Inserimento”
Inserimento in Italian means “settling in.” It describes the process travelers go through when arriving in a new location. it happens at the beginning of the trip, and again with each change to a new locale. Inserimento is that gateway between … Continue reading
Let’s have some true travel stories, well told!
I have travel coming up on my calendar–Indiana to see college friends over the 4th of July, then Halifax for grad school residency in August, followed by some tourism in Nova Scotia… and after that? Maybe a trip to Oxford, … Continue reading
Finding My Financial Footing
By Sarah White This week my online workshop “Write Your Way to a Better Attitude About Money” concludes. This essay was written in response to a prompt exploring attitudes about money picked up in young adulthood. In 1979 I committed … Continue reading
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 →