Writing prompts
Sparks №13: Squishing Through the Middle
A weekly newsletter from Flint & Steel
I don’t know about you, but I struggle when I’m in the middle of a large project, squishing the life out of my stress ball. It’s easy at this point to convince yourself to give up. “I’ll try next month,” if you’re not meeting the daily benchmarks.
For those who are in the thick of NaNoWriMo, like me, or struggling with a monthly goal, keep going.
I’m behind on my daily NaNo goal right now, but the point is I’ve been writing the first draft of my book every single day in November. I may not make the 50,000-word count goal by the end of the month, but maybe I will.
Keep going, my friends.
Through this challenge, I’m having a blast discovering my story. I wake up each morning ready to go. My brain is mush by the end. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Allow yourself to do what you can because you never know what you will achieve.
Show up for yourself, you deserve it!
My question to you is how do you push through a struggle? When you’re in the middle of a situation, goal, challenge that you don’t think you will make it through? Now that you are on the other side, what advice would you give to someone writing a book, going through a divorce, having hip replacement surgery, etc?
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!
— Ellie, editor Flint & Steel
Your Articles
In last week’s newsletter, I asked about what freedom meant to you. I love how you can ask one question and get so many different viewpoints from each person.
It is a reminder that all our words matter as a way to better understand others.
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!
Ellie Jacobson wrote, in response to the comfort prompt, “Gravitating to the Moments that Stop Time.”
Andria Kennedy wrote, in response to the freedom prompt, “Fourth of July, Optimus Prime, and Family.”
Amanda Laughtland wrote, in response to the freedom prompt, “I Don’t Want Your Freedom.”
Mulan wrote, in response to the earliest reading memories prompt, “When I was Five Years Old, I Read a Novel of 300,000 Words.”
Pene Hodge also wrote in response to the reading prompt with “When My Love of Words Began.”
Divina Grey responded with these Freewriting Friday prompts with these articles:
Adrienne Beaumont responded to the comfort freewriting prompt with “Freewriting Friday — On the Edge of the Bed.”
Calls for Submissions
Have writing prompts to share? 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
We explored comforts and self-care in 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, “Imagine a Re-do.”
Trista Signe Ainsworth, with Thank You Notes, shared this week’s prompt, “Your Delightful Recharge.”
Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她), with The Brain is a Noodle, posted a new prompt, “voices.”
Sahil Patel, with Lifeline, shared their weekly prompt, “November’s Third Week of Prompt of Lifeline.”
Anne Bonfert shared a short form prompt, “Challenge of the day: Write a letter to your 10-year younger self.”
Kristina God shared 3 pet publications and 13 writing prompts to get you started with “3 Publications for New Writers and Pet Lovers.”
Yana Bostongirl shared writing prompts for the Know Thyself column with Coffee Times (to help the Know Thyself, Heal Thyself pub while it is on pause).
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.
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