A Month of Writing Prompts 2016

In liew of a review:

 A Month of Writing Prompts 2016
by Julie Duffy
Kindle edition £2.10

So much more than 31 writing prompts, this fun collection---packed with personality---gives you short story prompts designed to work with the topics and genres that already interest you. Each prompt comes with tips to jump-start your writing and help you dig deeper into the story.

As a multi-published novelist, I agreed to review an advance copy of this (Full disclosure, I was given a free copy) and honestly found it useful. I've been a bit haphazard with my writing goals lately and haven't published a novel in a couple of years so thought I'd try it out. It's really rather splendid. It does take me out of my comfort zone (every day requires a new, finished short story -- or a least a rough draft thereof -- and I was expecting to stay in my own style, which I can't do. If you want to kickstart your writing, or just flex a few literary muscles, this is the book for you.

Never Kill a Character when it’s Still a Child

I wrote another novel when the first was coming out
about a minor demon and his friends.
He hung about with Harold: the devil’s latest bout
of sowing demon oats brought dividends.
Now Harold married Gillian a vampire by trade
although her trade was more like piracy.
No “Stand, ye, and deliver” in a sheltered woodland glade
but more ‘Your money –and- your life” you see.
In the latest novel which I have yet to complete
the vampire has a child by magic means.
And now the child’s in danger from the goblins and the feet
of a werewolf wishing wishes and the former fairy queens.
There’s no way to survive it but an early hatching plot
has Lucy take a hit from her dark sister
Now do I let her snuff it or shall I really not
and just say that the spirit blade had missed her?
Whatever I decide I need to get the chapters made
and finish the darned novel in good time.
The book is hanging over me like Damocles’ blade --
at least the novel’s easier than rhyme!

25 Word Story Contest

Twitter-ization has shortened everything: blog posts, book reviews, and friendly communication. Now it's shortened the already-shortened art of flash fiction.

Author Robert Swartwood coined the literary term "Hint Fiction" this week, describing any story that falls under 25-words, not counting the title. Until April 30th, he's sponsoring a hint fiction contest--Stewart O'Nan (pictured), the author of "A Prayer For The Dying" and "Songs For The Missing," will judge the final entries.

Here's more from the post: "'Hint Fiction: When Flash Fiction Becomes Just Too Flashy' is up today at Flash Fiction Chronicles ... I talk about how short you can make a story until it's no longer considered a story. And what does the winner receive? A $25 gift certificate to Amazon. Which basically works out to a dollar a word. Which, if you think about it, ain't too shabby." (Via Media Bistro)

1930s - Woman Walking on Sidewalk by Walfred Moisio

1930s - Woman Walking on Sidewalk by Walfred Moisio
Originally uploaded by straatis

Found on Flickr and used as a
writing prompt for musemuggers.

What a fabulous photograph