Newsletter from Flint & Steel

Sparks №39: Watch Out! I’m Going to Push You

A roundup of Flint & Steel articles and July writing prompts across Medium-land

Okay, not physically, but I want to push you mentally.

A decade ago, I was a parent to young children (4 and 5 years old). Like many children, they had their fears. One was afraid of jumping down the fireman pole at the park. The other was afraid of going underwater while learning to swim. I understood fears as we all have them. Learning how to teach a child to get over their fear was another story.

I didn’t want to push, or at least, appear to push. I was sensitive to that style of parenting. “Just throw your kid into the deep end. They’ll swim underwater real quick.” One of my older cousins was taught to swim with that exact tactic and she refused to step into any body of water outside her bathtub. No, that wouldn’t be my approach.

It turned out the bribe tactic was all I needed for my son, who was afraid of swimming underwater. I promised a Buzz Lightyear action figure and he jumped off the high diving board with only a slight hesitation.

But my other son, afraid of heights with the fireman pole, was a different story. And no, I didn’t physically push him. He asked me to walk away. Not to stand too close. So I did just that. I walked away with my back to him. I shifted my head just slightly so I could see him with my peripheral vision.

He jumped onto the pole and slid down like a pro fireman. He ran over to me with the biggest grin on his face.

“I did it!” he exclaimed.

A decade ago, my life was filled with kids’ activities and fear-busting trips to the park. Now it’s my turn to take some risks and get a little afraid.

One of my career goals is to be an editor at a publishing house. I love the challenge of putting the pieces together, working hand in hand with a writer, to help them tell their story in the best way.

Months ago, I hesitated on the diving board to apply for a summer internship at Macmillan Publishing. I kept putting it off, until it was too late.

I cyber-stalked their career page for news of a fall internship. This time, I was ready. This time I jumped and pushed submit. After pushing that elusive button in my brain, I ran upstairs with a fat grin on my face and told my kids, “I jumped!” Of course, they stared back at me, wondering if Mom had finally completely cracked. After explaining, they gave me a big hug in return.

When you jump like that, when you push yourself, remember it’s not about the outcome (okay if you jump off a high bridge, you do want the land safely) but it’s about doing something you didn’t think you could do.

I may not hear a peep back from Macmillan, but the energy I felt by pushing that button is something I will always remember and filter back into my life as I try to jump again.

So this leads to my questions for you this week: What have you done recently that scared you? What was it? Why did it scare you? Did you procrastinate for a long time? Why? Was it worth doing? What was the outcome? Does it matter the outcome? What are you the most proud about in regards to this scary moment?How will you harness that energy for future moments of holding back?

Highlights from the Editor

Sharing Your Opinion Prompt

Thank you, Courtney, so much for sharing your words with us. I feel the same; it’s how you treat people. The way we treat each other, face to face or online seems to have gone by the wayside. I’m so glad you shared your opinion here with us.

Courtney Capone wrote,

“But when is the last time that you heard someone say that their mind and heart were changed because of a well-written Facebook post? Because of a tweet? Because of an Instagram comment? Because of a Snapchat photo of someone holding a sign?”

Let’s read your thoughts on whether it’s worth sharing opinions on social media!

in response to the prompt in the last newsletter:

10-Word Story Challenge

Recently, I was tagged by Amanda Laughtland on the 10-word story challenge so, of course, I had to play. I welcome you to share your 10-word story with us at Flint & Steel.

Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles wrote in response,

“Must gather my ducks and get them in a row”

Eira Braun-Labossiere 🌻 wrote,

“A TWC greyhound lurcher: equal parts goofball, racer, cuddler extraordinaire.”

and

“Where did I discover ancient wisdom? Deep within greyhounds’ gazes.”

M Cher wrote,

“Breathe,

Feel,

Discover.

Freshness,

Heat,

Joy.

Life life with GLEE!

(End)

Be well! 🙋🏽‍♀️”

Indra Raj Pathak wrote,

“Flow, flow,

never stop,

but to lose

your glossy glow.”

Nancy Blackman wrote,

“Listen to your body. Stress doesn’t have to claim space.”

Agnes shares some great tips on how to approach those half-written drafts.

Agnes wrote,

“It’s not exactly that the words don’t come, it’s more like you don’t know what to do with the ones you have. You start to feel like that friend who’s always rearranging furniture looking for the best feng shui.”

How do you organize your drafts? Your unfinished words? Write a post in response and make sure to tag Agnes!

I hope everyone has an inspiring week and weekend ahead!

✨ Ellie, editor Flint & Steel

🎉 Featured Writer: 🎉

Barb Dalton 🇺🇦 wrote,

“Have you ever had those moments where you want to write, but your mind is running rampant circles with no clear vision of a topic, thought, or opinion to put a solid piece out for publication?”

Um, yeah, almost every day. So glad Barb circled back to responding to the featured writer interview questions. Take some time to get to know Barb better and hey maybe fill out the featured writer form below for some writing inspiration.

Will you be the next featured writer?

Read over the guidelines to find out more about being featured.

Another interview opportunity!

E. Katherine Kottaras is looking to interview creatives!

“With that, I am launching a series called The Creative Contemplative, and I would love to interview you!

I want to learn more about your life as both a creative and as a contemplative.”

E. Katherine Kottaras interviews Annelise Lords for her latest contemplative interview.

Annelise Lords writes, “I am shy and don’t feel comfortable talking about myself. But my art and stories will tell you more about who I am.”

✨Your Articles ✨

As always, take time to support your F & S writers! Stop by their articles and share your thoughts, claps and highlights.

The Camping Prompt

James Jordan wrote,

“The day was not done with us. That evening, our car broke down during rush hour in Albuquerque. I was about five or six cars behind the truck, driving the car when it jerked violently.”

Amazing photos and what a crazy start to the trip. Nerve-wracking indeed!

All About Books

Sandi Parsons wrote,

“Mars Awakens is the first part of a duology. Like all good duologies it raises more questions than it answers. More importantly, Mars Awakens does what the first book in a good duology should — it whets the reader’s appetite for part two.”

Penny Grubb is doing a marvelous job of sharing the books from the upcoming M.A.B.L.E event.

Anne Bonfert wrote,

“It’s a love story on many levels. But it’s also a story about growth and about saying yes. Saying yes to so many things in life that made me happy. Because of the seemingly unimportant decision I made that day.”

Terry Barr wrote,

“I had to have it, and god knows how much it costs or what penance my mother must have been paying, too, but she bought it for me. And then, to further delight, confuse, and toy with my affectations, she also bought me a pair of lime green and white striped bell-bottomed trousers.”

What a fabulous image, Terry!

The Collection of Flint & Steel Articles

✨ Welcome To Our Newest Writers ✨

Nancy Blackman, Dr. Preeti Singh

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, the focus is independence.

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

Check out the previous newsletter for more writing prompts and challenges.

And all our newsletters for even more writing inspiration

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!

Ellie Jacobson wants to see your book shelfie over at Six Word Photo Story (no deadline!)

⌚ Crystal A. Walker posted the July theme at Globetrotters. All about Celebrations. Post your submissions by July 31, 2022.

Sahil Patel, with Lifeline, posted their latest poetry prompt theme. “Write a poem inspired by the character of the movie/book you liked. You can add more qualities and strengths to the character. In nutshell, you can use your creativity to make a strong character.”

Trista Signe Ainsworth, with Thank You Notes, shared their July theme. “For the July monthly challenge here at Thank You Notes, we encourage you to write a thank you note to someone who made your summer vacation memorable.”

Marilyn Flower, with Middle-Pause, posted their latest prompt: “What puts you in the zone? Can you describe how it feels?”

Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她), with The Brain is a Noodle, shared their latest #WritingPrompt: pistachio ice cream

⌚ Dennett, with Weeds & Wildflowers, shared their July prompt: Hunted.

ADEOLA SHEEHY-ADEKALE, with The Honest Perspective, posted their latest writing prompt in response to this quote: “‘We can be redeemed only to the extent to which we see ourselves.’ Martin Buber. “

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, 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 weekly on Monday.

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!, M Cher, CARMEN F MICSA, Annette Liron, Sam Finlayson, Ian Hanson, LM, Elizabeth Kasujja, Sandi Parsons, Veronica Haunani Fitzhugh, BichoDoMato, Jules Starley, Jordan Richardson, Angie Mangino, Obinna Uruakpa, Shanice Lawton, Barbara Radisavljevic, Gaurav Jain, Terry Barr, Christine Graves, Randy Runtsch, Susan Alison, Indra Raj Pathak, Ash Moonlight, Jesse M Hawthorne, Denise Darby, Laura Jevtich, Eira Braun-Labossiere 🌻, Donna J. Allen, Sarah-Jane W., Ginger Bangs, Rebecca Frailich, James Jordan, David L. Davis, Nicholas Tarleton, Courtney Capone, Agnes, Kunal Mehra, Gauri Sirur

. . . and our 228 followers! 💖

About the Writer

Ellie is a freelance writer and editor from Minnesota. She is writing her first novel, a psychological suspense novel, while finishing her MFA at SNHU.

Need writing inspiration? Check out Sparks, Ellie’s newsletter filled with Medium writing prompts to spark your creativity.

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✍ Written by Ellie Jacobson, @2022 all rights reserved.