The Place For My Writers Notes

Original Posting Dec. 31, 2016

Watching the New Year's Eve show here in Japan. The theme this year was yume no uta (song of dreams? Or maybe dream of songs?) Anyway, I was thinking you might take that as a writing seed. Or perhaps just the change -- we're headed into the year of the chicken, if you feel like twisting that ancient notion. A bird, at least, although you might prefer the Phoenix or peacock or some other more elegant bird. Chickens, well... when the rooster crows?

No matter what, take a few moments and think about what you want to do with your writing this year. Not great vows of undying effort, but just set your own goals.

And, as I tend to say, write!
tink

Original Posting May 28, 2016

Here's a fun one. I've been reading a collection of short stories by one of my favorite authors (Janet Kagan), and one of the things I noticed was several Christmas stories. Then, of course, I think it's Memorial Day weekend in the US? So I was thinking about holidays.

Which leads up to your task! Pick a holiday. Well known, or perhaps one of those special ones that only a select few know about. And write us a story! Use that holiday, the things that set it up, the celebrations and memories, all that good stuff, to build your story. Mix and match, get those characters, a bit of plot, and write!

Go ahead. Celebrate! In writing!
tink

Original posting 25 December 2008

So, we meet again!

Here's a question -- what are you doing this holiday season? You may prefer to look ahead and simply describe the upcoming festivities, with the people, actions, and so forth. You may wait until afterwards, and then play reporter -- this is what I get on my vacation. Or you can stretch a little -- take a character or two, and dream about the kind of holiday that you wish you could have, or that you dread having?

What does happen when Clark Kent goes back to Smallville for Christmas?

What about the Christmas when the tree burned?

Go ahead -- tell us about your real holidays, tell us about somewhat fictionalized holidays, or go wild with the fantastical holidays.

The Christmas when Rudolph had a cold? Sure!

New Year's, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, and any other holidays you may prefer may of course be substituted.

This exercise should not be pursued immediately after overeating due to severe danger of napping -- warning pursuant to Surgeon General's Order 2395-4.