Weekly Newsletter | Flint & Steel

Sparks №26: Whether You Love or Loathe It, Happy Valentine’s Day

Catch the writing spark!

Happy Valentine’s Day from Flint & Steel! Even if today is not a special day for you, I want to wish you a loving day, regardless.

I’ve loved (pun intended) reading all the different viewpoints in reaction to the Valentine’s Day prompt. The common theme was most people don’t like the commercialism feel to the day, which I agree.

It’s not about the gifts. It’s about being there for your loved one each and every day. During the difficult, messy times. During sickness and stress. And celebrating when life is treating you both well. And feeling that love returned.

And that doesn’t just mean in a relationship. Loving and treating ourselves the way we treat others.

I’ve been working on my negative self-talk that has filled my head since I can remember. These thoughts were never an echo of words spoken to me during childhood or ever.

I really don’t know why I’m harshest with myself, but I’m working on changing that mindset. Those thoughts will not convince me to stop dreaming and I hope the same for you all!

✨ Ellie, editor Flint & Steel

📣The Writing Prompt Challenge Contest Winner

If you haven’t read the news already (where have you been?!), congrats goes out to pockett dessert for winning the Writing Prompt Challenge!

If you haven’t already, make sure to check out all the fabulous writing prompt ideas and articles. Maybe it will inspire your next piece!

✨Your Articles ✨

Thank you to everyone who submitted articles this past week!

David Acaster wrote, “What a mistake that was, those thirteen roses. And after the third-degree interrogation, I was given, I vowed never to do that again!” in “My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose,” in response to the Valentine’s Day prompt.

I love this story so much. I’d probably react the same way David, thinking something horrible happened!

Jennifer Dunne wrote, “He looked handsome in his suit, and I looked like an elegant movie star in my couture gown,” in “I Ended My Engagement on Valentine’s Day” in response to the Valentine’s Day prompt.

Oh Jennifer, that must have been so painful, but thankfully it happened before you were married. I’m so glad you found your #1 after all!

L Burton wrote, “In quiet moments, which are few and far between because she’s a busy little girl, she’ll say, “Hey, Nana,” and when I look at her, she’ll hold up her hands in the shape of a heart, and I, of course, do the same,” in “Celebrate the Love,” in response to the Valentine’s Day prompt.

I love that Lynn! I loved the day more when my kids were little, getting ready for their elementary school parties, making cards, and their boxes. The memories of time spent together.

Barb Dalton wrote,”If anything, I worry about people who do expect something on this one day.” in “Valentine’s Day is a Scam!” in her Valentine Day prompt response.

That’s how I feel about the day. When I was younger, I expected the day to be like a Hallmark movie, which ended up in disappointment. I got sucked into that mentality.

Danielle Hestand wrote,” Due to many reasons such as sexism, environmental destruction, and aesthetics, Valentine’s Day isn’t a holiday I get excited about,” in “What are Fifteen Reasons I Dislike Valentine’s Day?” in response to the Valentine Day prompt.

I love reading all the different takes on Valentine’s Day. Check out Danielle’s reasons for not liking this holiday.

Andria Kennedy wrote,” His quiet acceptance has given me space to breathe. While continuing to be my neurodivergent self — safely,” in “When Anxiety Met OCD,” in response to the Leave Your Mark prompt.

This is so powerful Andria; thank you for sharing what it feels like for you so we can better understand what our loved ones with anxiety and OCD need.

E. Katherine Kottaras wrote,

“I can’t hear the poetry when you, out there, beyond the invisible and arbitrary lines of this city, are loud with your lies,”

in her poem, “A Hot February in L.A.”

Touching words with a stunning photo by Katherine.

Amanda Laughtland wrote, “These days I’m working on a great un-learning of push and pull, and pressure and expectation. And this is happening alongside a relearning about mutuality,” in “A No-Pressure Valentine’s Day,” in response to the Valentine prompt.

I LOVE how Amanda and her girlfriend will be celebrating Valentine’s Day this year (sounds like perfection to me).

Kaori Mitsui wrote, “To grow together, learn important life lessons, take good care of dogs so they can take care of themselves and others,” in “Many Lessons from a Beloved Fur Friend.”

What lessons can you learn from your beloved pets?

Dennett wrote, “How did I manage to connect with that many Mediumites? Because I truly connect. I read, highlight, comment, and clap. Not only for the posts of other writers but also for the comments others leave on my posts,” in “Connect, Connect, Connect,” in response to the tips for new Medium writers prompt.

That’s exactly right, the power of connection! To read as much as you write (or more).

Charlie Cole wrote, “Not to keep me in, or put up more guards, but so I can determine who I get to let in and who doesn’t. Maybe they’ll be let in later, but I am instituting a limit,” in “Lave a Message at the Beep,” in response to saying goodbye prompt.

How do you set boundaries for those relationships that take more than they give?

Penny Grubb wrote, “If you’re heading somewhere, you’ll get there quicker if you find a reliable map than if you put on a blindfold and head out at random,” in “A Tip for New Writers On Medium,” in response to the new writers prompt.

Read Penny’s article for the Medium writers she recommends for guidance (and I totally agree!).

Adrienne Beaumont wrote, “I felt bad for him, but who spends that much money on roses when they’re poor? And red roses aren’t even my favourite flower! The advertising around Valentine’s Day sucked him in,”Freewriting Friday — Do You Love or Loathe February 14?” in response to the Valentine’s Day prompt.

That’s the part that turns me off to the day too!

Adrienne Beaumont wrote, “When she joined my family for a four-month trip around Europe in 2011, it was the beginning of the end of our friendship,” in “Why Friendships Falter and Fail.”

I can relate so much, Adrienne, to your post. I’ve had a few friendships falter away like that over the years. It’s best to move forward and know it wasn’t about you, but them.

Adrienne Beaumont wrote, “I closed my eyes and prayed I wasn’t going to die on my birthday,” in “Flying High: A Terrifying Ride in a Helicopter,” in response to pockett dessert’s Exhilarating Ride prompt.

Read more about Adrienne’s flying high ride in a helicopter!

Karen Schwartz wrote,”I sat beside him in silence, the only sign to show him I cared. I didn’t know him well. On that fateful day, I made an impact. It was the day he decided he wanted to live,” in “Heaven Can Wait, I’ve Got You, Baby,” in response to the How Will You Leave Your Mark prompt.

Oh Karen, you got me shedding some tears (happy tears) for this one (and an awesome title by the way!).

Karen Schwartz wrote, “For Ed and me, Valentine’s Day is a day like any other. It’s the milestones — his transplant, COVID, and helping me with my daily anxieties — that keep us bonded,” in “Love is in the Air, but Then Again, So Is Covid,” in response to the Freewriting Friday prompt.

When we or our loved ones face serious health issues, everything else doesn’t matter, only the love we have for each other, trusting and knowing we are there for each other. That is a love that no box of chocolates can represent.

Trista Signe Ainsworth wrote, “All through those years, I never gave up on Valentine’s Day. I found instead a love for myself that radiates out to everyone else, in “Love All Around You,” in response to the Freewriting Friday prompt.

I so love your take on Valentine’s Day Trista! I want this day not to make people feel bad about themselves if they are single but to remember the power of loving ourselves every day.

✨ Welcome New Writers ✨

M Cher — CARMEN F MICSA

Calls for Submissions

I welcome writers to share their own 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

In the latest Freewriting Friday post, we are exploring Valentine’s day traditions, a perfect Valentine’s day, and reasons why you hate the day.

📣 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.

⌚ = time-sensitive writing prompt!

⌚ Dennett, with Weeds & Wildflowers, posted their February prompt, “What was the worst or most surprising gift you ever received?”

Kamna Kirti asked you to share, “The love stories you would like to share. A love story with your friend, partner, pet, artwork, books, anyone or anything.

⌚ Ravyne Hawke, with Promptly Written, posted an Essay Writing Challenge with the question, “What drives me as a writer?” Essays are due by February 28th at 6:00 pm US CST

Marrisa W. , with Coffee Times, shared the latest book prompt: Your favourite magic/fantasy book/series.

Trista Signe Ainsworth with Thank You Notes posted the February prompt which is about celebrating the quiet moments of love. Valentine’s Day is about the commercial side of love. Don’t get me wrong, I love a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates, but what about the tiny moments of love that fill us with gratitude? With romantic love, a friend, a family member, or a stranger even?

Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她), with The Brain is a Noodle, shared her latest Writing Prompt: How do you avoid plagiarism in your work?

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, Ellen Andaya, Barb Dalton, Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她), Beverly Annette Little, Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她), Beverly Annette Little, Aabye-Gayle F., AliciaMarie Belchak | Master Life, Build Dreams, Danielle Hestand, Rick Allen, Jennifer Pierce, Tamil — Amy Rosie — Jennifer McDougall — Susan Poole — Adrienne Parkhurst — Chelsea Marie — Charlie Cole — Katie Michaelson — Sandra B — Buse ermen — E. Katherine Kottaras — Bingz Huang — Winston — Stephanie Stephenson — Marilyn Flower — Kris Bedenian — Kathy K — Nick Stockton — VerityAlways — Makena Darya — Umme Salma — Călina Mureșan — Anne Bonfert — Jennifer Dunne — K-kun Writes!

. . . and our 173 followers! 💖

✍ Written by Ellie Jacobson, ©2022 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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