avatarEllie Jacobson

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Abstract

tly how it feels when stress tries to take you down.</p><div id="5dff" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/stress-my-old-nemesis-78d12236e2fe"> <div> <div> <h2>Stress, My Old Nemesis</h2> <div><h3>A poetic response to Spark №11-Finding Comfort in November</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*L5dBSKohZih8jvEB)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="48c7"><a href="undefined">Kaori Mitsui</a>, responding to the <a href="https://readmedium.com/freewriting-friday-8-making-music-your-muse-6198c3ccd76c">Freewriting Friday prompt</a>, wrote (and created the graphics) <a href="https://readmedium.com/blender3d-rendering-short-story-buddy-is-so-happy-to-meet-her-again-the-fish-and-buddy-robo-347ff4b37d34">“Buddy is so Happy to Meet Her Again.”</a></p><div id="83c7" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/blender3d-rendering-short-story-buddy-is-so-happy-to-meet-her-again-the-fish-and-buddy-robo-347ff4b37d34"> <div> <div> <h2>Buddy Is So Happy to Meet Her Again</h2> <div><h3>What in her pocket made Buddy so happy</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*AWf8smvAVjOY9XlE6IBHWQ.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="26b0"><a href="undefined">Prashansa Chandekar</a> wrote a striking poem, <a href="https://readmedium.com/glom-on-to-life-ef8f490728c9">“Glom On To Life.” </a>A must read for those days when you are feeling defeated.</p><div id="3b48" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/glom-on-to-life-ef8f490728c9"> <div> <div> <h2>Glom On To Life</h2> <div><h3>A Poem</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*jSZtbI9MJgwHhANI)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h1 id="c9fe">Calls for Submissions</h1><p id="5474">I welcome writers to share their <a href="https://readmedium.com/freewriting-exercise-your-uniqueness-earliest-memory-a-superpower-335706bf4cbb">freewriting exercises</a>, <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-to-create-a-writing-ritual-using-the-five-senses-c3fc20398b67">writing prompts</a>, and <a href="https://readmedium.com/flash-writing-contest-alert-fd5652d3e49a">writing contest alerts</a> here at Flint and Steel. You can write short-form or long-form posts.</p><p id="a00f">You can find submission guidelines on our <a href="https://readmedium.com/welcome-to-the-flint-steel-publication-f7722efd9b15">Be a Writer page.</a></p><div id="f61d" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/welcome-to-the-flint-steel-publication-f7722efd9b15"> <div> <div> <h2>Welcome to the Flint & Steel Publication</h2> <div><h3>Submission guidelines</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*ddOhtR_FJtMmMk6WjnMr4Q.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h2 id="c3b2">Freewriting Friday</h2><p id="4617">Share your reading journey with the latest <a href="https://readmedium.com/freewriting-friday-8-making-music-your-muse-6198c3ccd76c">Freewriting Friday prompts.</a></p><div id="986d" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/freewriting-friday-8-making-music-your-muse-6198c3ccd76c"> <div> <div> <h2>Freewriting Friday №8 | Making Music Your Muse</h2> <div><h3>Three writing prompts about soulmates to rejection</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*VcKcgPSCRzcQ9hT4YSsczg.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h1 id="226f">Around Medium: Calls for Submissions, Writing Prompts, and Challenges</h1><p id="f4f8">Check out <a href="https://readmedium.com/sparks-11-finding-comfort-in-november-42a1d8748c1">last week’s newsletter </a>for more writing prompts and challenges.</p><div id="de63" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/sparks-11-finding-comfort-in-november-42a1d8748c1"> <div> <div> <h2>Sparks №11-Finding Comfort in November</h2> <div><h3>A weekly writing prompt newsletter from Flint & Steel</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*pjP7o26ZNi6v67WUAgXNdQ.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h2 id="3a0d">Tips</h2><p id="9434">As always, review each publication’s guidelines for their prompts. Many prompts do not have a set deadline.</p><p id="da64">Make sure when you are responding to a prompt, you credit where your inspiration came from, like a link to the prompt article.</p><p id="44b9">Many of these prompts could fall under nonfiction, poetry and fiction so don’t limit yourself. There is no right or wrong. Use these prompts as a springboard to your writing.</p><p id="9632"><a href="https://medium.com/creators-hub">Creator’s Hub</a> posted <a href="https://readmedium.com/saving-time-write-here-19-292ae0461daf">t</a>heir latest writing prompts, <a href="https://readmedium.com/illusions-of-time-2d9649a2ae4a">“Illusions of Time.”</a></p><div id="6ba5" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/illusions-of-time-2d9649a2ae4a"> <div> <div> <h2>Illusions of Time</h2> <div><h3>Writing prompts about what do we do with lost & found time</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*Zll0ns8NEQ-aotWl)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="d2db"><a href="undefined">Trista Signe Ainsworth</a>, with<a href="https://medium.com/thank-you-notes"> Thank You Notes</a>, shared this week’s prompt, <a href="https://readmedium.com/your-blissful-wanderings-5ca6f7b0566">Blissful Wandering.</a></p><div id="8c9f" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/your-blissful-wanderings-5ca6f7b0566"> <div> <div> <h2>Your Blissful Wanderings</h2> <div><h3>Thank You Notes #30</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*P1CHVETldb7ejkJUNHoDlQ.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="8e44"><a href="undefined">Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她)</a>, with <a href="https://medium.com/the-brain-is-a-noodle">The Brain is a Noodle</a>, posted a<a href="https://readmedium.com/your-feelings-are-valid-119dbdeff476"> new prompt.</a> Sharing an internal monologue/sneak peek into how you think.</p><div id="c94c" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/your-feelings-are-valid-119dbdeff476"> <div> <div> <h2>Your Feelings Are Valid</h2> <div><h3>and some more</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*PJVv8mnfptsnpuxYYXKxfw.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="ca24"><a href="undefined">Found In My Journal</a> posted <a href="http://What do your friends an

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d family often come to you for advice about?">their November prompts,</a> centering around friends, family, and the upcoming holiday season.</p><div id="07dd" class="link-block"> <a href="https://foundinmyjournal.com/found-in-my-journal-november-writing-prompts-8ded0825bbf0"> <div> <div> <h2>Found In My Journal — November Writing Prompts</h2> <div><h3>What do your friends and family often come to you for advice about?</h3></div> <div><p>foundinmyjournal.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*FJZwgsdpNY-ZSYe6aqODMQ.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="2ad9"><a href="undefined">Marilyn Flower</a>, with<a href="https://medium.com/middle-pause"> Middle-Pause</a>, shared <a href="https://readmedium.com/working-on-goals-do-you-take-the-interstate-straight-to-your-goal-or-more-scenic-routes-a199ba7e54d">their prompt about goals</a>: how and/or where do you tend to focus?</p><div id="6511" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/working-on-goals-do-you-take-the-interstate-straight-to-your-goal-or-more-scenic-routes-a199ba7e54d"> <div> <div> <h2>Working on Goals: Do You Take the Interstate Straight to Your Goal or More Scenic Routes?</h2> <div><h3>In other words, how and/or where do you like to focus?</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*3CUG1vns0EOoDjfq)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="854f"><a href="undefined">Gladys Carmina</a> started a new pub called <a href="https://medium.com/travel-writing-prompts">“Travel Writing Prompts”</a> and shared <a href="https://readmedium.com/3-writing-prompts-to-tell-your-version-of-the-world-db4d1350a3b8">three writing prompts</a> to get started.</p><div id="8132" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/3-writing-prompts-to-tell-your-version-of-the-world-db4d1350a3b8"> <div> <div> <h2>3 Writing Prompts to Tell Your Version of the World</h2> <div><h3>Welcome abroad!</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*HnIvOlmrybB6GCs-)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="1279"><a href="undefined">Tom Fenske</a> posted a <a href="https://readmedium.com/welcome-to-the-10-day-shortform-challenge-ec48a72df691">10-day challenge</a> over at <a href="https://medium.com/the-shortform">The Shorform.</a> I’ll be doing this challenge once the craziness of November is over.</p><div id="833b" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/welcome-to-the-10-day-shortform-challenge-ec48a72df691"> <div> <div> <h2>Welcome to The 10-Day Shortform Challenge</h2> <div><h3>What it’s all about</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*NiNONKAJ6TM8mqzj)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="c798"><a href="undefined">Warren Brown</a>, with Writing 101, posted their <a href="https://readmedium.com/novembers-writing-prompt-contest-the-writing-on-8b996b2a9a04">November prompt</a>, “The writing on. . .”</p><div id="6c59" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/novembers-writing-prompt-contest-the-writing-on-8b996b2a9a04"> <div> <div> <h2>November’s Writing Prompt Contest: “The Writing On….”</h2> <div><h3>Where do you see the Writing or the Signs of something about to happen?</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*jii4hZE4utF2Ebbh)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h1 id="049e">Subscribe to the Sparks Newsletter</h1><p id="3aa1">If you would like to subscribe to the Sparks newsletter, <a href="https://medium.com/flint-and-steel/newsletters/sparks">visit the newsletter page.</a> You can also find past newsletters for more writing inspiration.</p><p id="118d">— <a href="https://medium.com/@elliejacobson">Ellie Jacobson</a>, editor</p><div id="028d" class="link-block"> <a href="https://medium.com/flint-and-steel"> <div> <div> <h2>Flint and Steel</h2> <div><h3>Writing Prompts to Spark Your Creativity</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*i4reK9bZK_DH6XYjFi1sEQ.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h1 id="abd7">Attention Medium publication editors</h1><p id="f7cb"><b>Have a writing prompt, challenge, or a call for submission you want included in an upcoming Sparks Newsletter?</b> Feel free to leave a comment in the Latest Newsletter (link found on main page at <a href="https://medium.com/flint-and-steel">Fleet & Steel</a>), email me at [email protected] or tag me in your prompt article and I’ll include the info in the next newsletter. Newsletters go out on Monday or Tuesdays.</p><p id="cc52">Please include a link to the article that summarizes the prompt/challenge/call for submission and if there is a deadline. I will link to the article and to your publication in the newsletter. I also <a href="https://twitter.com/ellietjacobson">tweet the newsletter</a> throughout the week for added exposure.</p><h1 id="5f39">Thank you to all the Flint & Steel writers</h1><p id="ef65"><a href="undefined">Sahil Patel</a>, <a href="undefined">Shirley Jones Luke</a>, <a href="undefined">Samantha Jensen, MA, MAEd</a>, <a href="undefined">Trista Signe Ainsworth</a>, <a href="undefined">MIGHTY MISCELLANY</a>, <a href="undefined">L Burton</a>, <a href="undefined">Heathere CW</a>, <a href="undefined">Kaori Mitsui</a>, <a href="undefined">Penelope Mayfield</a>, <a href="undefined">Pierce McIntyre</a>, <a href="undefined">Pene Hodge</a>, <a href="undefined">Yean Foong (M.Ed.)</a>, <a href="undefined">Elin Melaas</a>, <a href="undefined">Sarah Minnis</a>, <a href="undefined">Mindy Morgan Avitia</a>, <a href="undefined">JM Heatherly</a>, <a href="undefined">Nikki</a>, <a href="undefined">Andria Kennedy</a>, <a href="undefined">pockett dessert</a>, <a href="undefined">Dennett</a>, <a href="undefined">Diana Lotti</a>, <a href="undefined">Ronald C. Flores-Gunkle</a>, <a href="undefined">Mulan</a>, <a href="undefined">Amanda Laughtland</a>, <a href="undefined">Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles</a>, <a href="undefined">Penny Grubb</a>, <a href="undefined">Sorina Raluca Babau</a>, <a href="undefined">Prashansa Chandekar</a>, <a href="undefined">Will Hull</a>, <a href="undefined">Ravyne Hawke</a>, <a href="undefined">Jane Grows Garden Rooms (Jane Frost)</a>, <a href="undefined">Mimi Bordeaux</a>, <a href="undefined">Adrienne Beaumont</a>, <a href="undefined">Karen Schwartz</a>, <a href="undefined">Divina Grey</a>, <a href="undefined">Sangeetha Shankar</a></p><blockquote id="2b8b"><p>Written by <a href="https://elliejacobson.medium.com/">Ellie Jacobson</a>, @2021 all rights reserved.</p></blockquote><blockquote id="1d33"><p>I’m a freelance writer and editor from Minnesota, <a href="https://medium.com/my-novel-journey">writing my first novel</a>, a psychological suspense novel. Are you a writer? Check out <a href="https://medium.com/flint-and-steel/newsletters/sparks">Sparks</a>, my newsletter filled with writing prompts to spark your creativity.</p></blockquote><blockquote id="cd5e"><p><a href="https://elliejacobson.medium.com/membership">Join Medium</a> and have unlimited access to my writing and thousands of other writers on Medium.</p></blockquote></article></body>

Writing prompts

Sparks №12-The Power of Freedom

A weekly newsletter from Flint & Steel

Photo by Artem Podrez from Pexels

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” ― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

Today is World Freedom Day, marking the 32nd anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down.

I’ll never forget that day. I was 16-years-old and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw people standing on the wall, tearing it down piece by piece, watching the reunions between people who hadn’t seen each other in decades. I couldn’t imagine being separated by family and friends like that. It was amazing to feel the energy of “anything is possible” that day across the globe.

Now as an American, I will admit, I’m ashamed at how people complain about their freedom being violated because they are being asked to wear a mask during a pandemic. Yes, living during a public health crisis changes some of our conveniences but we are still beyond fortunate.

You can be independently free and still wear a mask.

I will not complain about wearing a piece of fabric over my nose and mouth.

I will not complain that I can’t find my favorite potato chips among the sea of chips still available.

I will not complain about how long service is taking at a restaurant because they are short-staffed and doing the best they can.

I cringe at such complaints, thinking about the true hardships people are facing right now and those who became before us.

My grandmother, born in 1899, had 10 children (and became a widow shortly after the birth of her youngest) during the worst time period in our history. Influenza pandemic. World wars. The Great Depression. I don’t know how she did it. I think of her whenever I feel “inconvenienced.”

Now, on this World Freedom Day, I ask you. . .

“What does freedom mean to you?” Share when you, or a family member, have experienced in an injustice. Write a poem, essay, short form, whatever strikes you.

— Ellie, editor Flint & Steel

Other November writing opportunities

In November, many writers are participating in NaNoWriMo. If you are in the process of writing a book (for NaNo or not), I welcome you to share your experience at My Novel Journey. I’m journaling my NaNo experience as I write the first draft of my book. Feel free to share your writing advice, recommendations, tips, etc. about writing novels.

I’ve written these posts as I make my way through NaNo:

I’ve been posting gratitude journal posts in November (can’t do it every day like I originally hoped because of NaNo). You can join in anytime during the month of November.

Wanna connect on Twitter and Instagram? Well then what are you waiting for? Follow me and I’ll follow ya back!

Your Articles

In last week’s newsletter, I asked about what stresses you and how you handle it. Thank you so much to those who responded! I’m always honored to read and publish your words.

Remember you can submit your articles in response to prompts at any time as there are no deadlines.

Take some time to check out the articles from fellow F&S writers and share the love!

Dennett, responding to the stress prompt, wrote “Under the Knife.” We are sending positive thoughts and prayers for a smooth recovery Dennett!

Ravyne Hawke, responding to the stress prompt, wrote “Stress, My Old Nesmis,” capturing perfectly how it feels when stress tries to take you down.

Kaori Mitsui, responding to the Freewriting Friday prompt, wrote (and created the graphics) “Buddy is so Happy to Meet Her Again.”

Prashansa Chandekar wrote a striking poem, “Glom On To Life.” A must read for those days when you are feeling defeated.

Calls for Submissions

I welcome writers to share their freewriting exercises, writing prompts, and writing contest alerts here at Flint and Steel. You can write short-form or long-form posts.

You can find submission guidelines on our Be a Writer page.

Freewriting Friday

Share your reading journey with the latest Freewriting Friday prompts.

Around Medium: Calls for Submissions, Writing Prompts, and Challenges

Check out last week’s newsletter for more writing prompts and challenges.

Tips

As always, review each publication’s guidelines for their prompts. Many prompts do not have a set deadline.

Make sure when you are responding to a prompt, you credit where your inspiration came from, like a link to the prompt article.

Many of these prompts could fall under nonfiction, poetry and fiction so don’t limit yourself. There is no right or wrong. Use these prompts as a springboard to your writing.

Creator’s Hub posted their latest writing prompts, “Illusions of Time.”

Trista Signe Ainsworth, with Thank You Notes, shared this week’s prompt, Blissful Wandering.

Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她), with The Brain is a Noodle, posted a new prompt. Sharing an internal monologue/sneak peek into how you think.

Found In My Journal posted their November prompts, centering around friends, family, and the upcoming holiday season.

Marilyn Flower, with Middle-Pause, shared their prompt about goals: how and/or where do you tend to focus?

Gladys Carmina started a new pub called “Travel Writing Prompts” and shared three writing prompts to get started.

Tom Fenske posted a 10-day challenge over at The Shorform. I’ll be doing this challenge once the craziness of November is over.

Warren Brown, with Writing 101, posted their November prompt, “The writing on. . .”

Subscribe to the Sparks Newsletter

If you would like to subscribe to the Sparks newsletter, visit the newsletter page. You can also find past newsletters for more writing inspiration.

— Ellie Jacobson, editor

Attention Medium publication editors

Have a writing prompt, challenge, or a call for submission you want included in an upcoming Sparks Newsletter? Feel free to leave a comment in the Latest Newsletter (link found on main page at Fleet & Steel), email me at [email protected] or tag me in your prompt article and I’ll include the info in the next newsletter. Newsletters go out on Monday or Tuesdays.

Please include a link to the article that summarizes the prompt/challenge/call for submission and if there is a deadline. I will link to the article and to your publication in the newsletter. I also tweet the newsletter throughout the week for added exposure.

Thank you to all the Flint & Steel writers

Sahil Patel, Shirley Jones Luke, Samantha Jensen, MA, MAEd, Trista Signe Ainsworth, MIGHTY MISCELLANY, L Burton, Heathere CW, Kaori Mitsui, Penelope Mayfield, Pierce McIntyre, Pene Hodge, Yean Foong (M.Ed.), Elin Melaas, Sarah Minnis, Mindy Morgan Avitia, JM Heatherly, Nikki, Andria Kennedy, pockett dessert, Dennett, Diana Lotti, Ronald C. Flores-Gunkle, Mulan, Amanda Laughtland, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Penny Grubb, Sorina Raluca Babau, Prashansa Chandekar, Will Hull, Ravyne Hawke, Jane Grows Garden Rooms (Jane Frost), Mimi Bordeaux, Adrienne Beaumont, Karen Schwartz, Divina Grey, Sangeetha Shankar

Written by Ellie Jacobson, @2021 all rights reserved.

I’m a freelance writer and editor from Minnesota, writing my first novel, a psychological suspense novel. Are you a writer? Check out Sparks, my newsletter filled with writing prompts to spark your creativity.

Join Medium and have unlimited access to my writing and thousands of other writers on Medium.

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