Writing prompts & challenges

Sparks №5 — The Magical Colors of Fall

Weekly writing inspiration from Flint & Steel

Tomorrow, September 22th, marks the official first day of fall, my favorite season of the year. If I could be stuck in one season for the rest of my life it is fall.

I want to wrap myself up in a cozy sweater but not pull out my winter boots. I want to watch the change in colors before the colors completely disappear into a dirty white backdrop.

I hope you find a spark to your writing with some of these writing prompts found around Medium-land.

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

Your Articles

Thank you all for submitting your work to Flint & Steel! I’m honored to read and share your work.

Pene Hodge in response to the prompt, “What Makes You Unique” (curated!)

and a beautiful poem, in response to the lighthouse prompt

Kaori Mitsui fiction story in response to the lighthouse prompt

Trista Signe Ainsworth wrote this beautiful piece about her writing ritual, in response to the writing ritual prompt. (curated!)

Heathere CW wrote a beautiful poem in response to the lighthouse prompt.

Welcome New Flint & Steel Writers!

Yean Foong (M.Ed.), Elin Melaas and Sarah Minnis

If you would like to be a writer for Flint & Steel, please comment to this article and I’ll get you added. Also, make sure to read over the submission guidelines.

Call 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.

Where do you write?

I want to see where you write, where you find your inspiration or where you dream of writing. There is no deadline, share at anytime. Make sure to tag me as well so I can read your article.

Freewriting Friday

Last Friday, I shared a new freewriting exercise which included the prompts:

• What is your wish? As a child, what would have been your wish?
• What is a recurring dream you had as a child? Or now?
• Imagine your journey to the end of a rainbow, what do you find? Or describe the journey to the end of the rainbow, what do you encounter?

Submit anytime to Flint & Steel your response posts to any writing prompt at any time. I will share your articles on my Twitter page as well.

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

Make sure to 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.

kasey sparks, asked “Who do you write for?” You can submit at Counter Arts, like I did here. If you submit your article to Flint & Steel, make sure to credit the writing prompt from Kasey.

Katlyn Gallo, with Unwritten Journal, announced an October writing challenge; there are four writing topics for your October submissions. Visit her page for more info.

Trista Signe Ainsworth, with Thank You Notes, wants you to share an essay, article, or poem about something refreshing in your life that you are grateful for.

Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles shared a writing exercise that I love. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write down everything you are grateful for. Remember don’t edit yourself during the exercise. For example, this could be an article you could share at Thank You Notes.

Jolie A. Doggett, with Creators Hub, has three new writing prompts this week (and every week). Remember you can write about these prompts at any point. If you would like to publish your article here at Flint & Steel, submit away!

Make sure to sign up for the Medium creator workshops too. I found the ones over the summer inspiring. If you can’t make it to the live workshops, you can always find the sessions recorded to view later.

• Where do you see yourself one year from now?
• How can you be kinder to yourself?
• What does success look like to you?

Mindy Morgan Avitia, with Cultivate which is a new pub (congrats), announced an October personal essay contest. The deadline is October 16th and the winner will receive $250.

Kern Carter, with CRY Magazine, wants you to write a letter to yourself, inspire yourself or share your doubts.

Jack Road asks, “Why travel is important to you?” Make sure to tag Jack if you post an article in response.

Diana C. shared some excellent writing prompts for writers and editors like untouchable, stranger conversations, the spice of life and other inspiring ideas.

Zane Dickens, with Microcosm, announced their September prompt, pick a new genre. This week you must pick one of the micro-genres listed in the article (looks like fun I must say!) And make sure to follow Microcosm on Twitter for even more writing prompts to get those creative juices flowing!

Bill Adler Editor, with Centina Pentina, shared their weekly prompt, “mountains.”

Mary Chang Story Writer, with Six-Word Photo Story Challenge, accepts freestyle submissions at any time. Make sure to review the submission and formatting information.

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) or email me at [email protected]. Newsletters go out on 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

Wanna connect on Twitter and Instagram? Well then follow me and I’ll follow ya back!

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