A Writing Exercise to try

by Diane Estrella on July 28, 2010

Earlier, I posted here about the first ever writer’s conference that I’d attended.  It was fun and gave me more confidence in being a “writer.”  One of the writing exercises we were asked to try came from a high school teacher.  I thought it was fun and wanted to share it with all of you.

It starts, with looking through that pesky “junk mail” that seems to be in abundance every day in one’s mailbox, then select one that has a catch-phrase that grabs your attention.  Take that slogan and write a story of 150-200 words.  Short and sweet.

OneTouch "DoubleSure"

The teacher had suggested doing it with a religious theme.  A literary publication, called The Secret Place is written solely by freelance writers, and anyone may submit original, unpublished, meditations for consideration.  The submission guidelines can be found here.  This is not only a wonderful way to make a little $$$, but it also will give an unpublished author something to put on a resume for future agents and editors to see.

Anyone feeling brave and want to give it a try?  Please share your attempts with us!

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Raw(e)-2(6)

by Diane Estrella on July 27, 2010

Found a lovely blog, Sailor and Company, with a lovely family and LOVELY photography to behold.  She holds a weekly “Raw(e) photo” contest for braggin’ rights.  Wanna join in on the fun!
SO, the theme is…
2(6)
…what you have to do is go into
your 2nd folder of photos and post the 6th photo there. Doesn’t matter what it is.
How silly, how beautiful, how awful, how embarrassing-doesn’t MATTER!!!
Here’s mine.  A beautiful flowering crab-apple tree that is outside my kitchen window.  When the tree is in full bloom it looks and smells wonderful.  All kinds of colorful birds find their way here to enjoy!

Now it’s your turn.
Post your 2(6) photos HERE and join the fun.
Remember:
NO EDITING AT ALL!
You have until 5pm Friday.

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Letting go….

July 26, 2010

Having chickens has certainly taught me many things.
Last fall we started with 10 baby chicks and last week we went down to one.  Something had systematically picked off and brutally killed the chickens until the rooster, Freckles, remained.  After a day of coaxing, I lured him into a cage, and the next day he was [...]

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Carving out TIME

July 19, 2010

A lovely friend, Sara the Twillypop, and I were having a conversation….. who knew how truly wise she was…..?
Me: Ugh, I hate walking on my treadmill (really, any and all exercising).
Sara: But don’t you feel good afterwards?
Me: No. (In my mind NOOOOOOOOOOOO!)
Sara: Well, it’s just something you have to do.
Me: (in my whiniest voice) Well [...]

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EcoStore USA

July 16, 2010
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“We’re celebrating the Grand Opening of our new Michigan headquarters and manufacturing facility with a BOGO SALE throughout the month of July.  Place an order and we’ll automatically DOUBLE IT.  FREE Shipping for ALL Orders of $25 or more.
Our eco friendly, plant-based household cleaning products are as effective as the leading supermarket [...]

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Raw(e) Desserts

July 14, 2010

Found a lovely new blog, Sailor and Company, with a lovely family and LOVELY photography to behold.  She holds a weekly “Raw(e) photo” contest for braggin’ rights.  Thought I’d join in on the fun!
Here’s my daughter’s idea of a yummy dessert in the summertime…..
Now, it’s your turn.
Link up your dessert [...]

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Up-close or closed-off?

July 14, 2010

Lovely, from afar.

Come a little closer still…..

Every beauty and each flaw….. exposed.
Do you let others get close to you….. seeing every imperfection that makes you, you?  Are some allowed to look deep into your soul, regardless of what they might see?

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My first-ever Writer’s Conference!

July 12, 2010

I will admit I was nervous about it…. not knowing what to expect.  After all, I’m not really a writer——– but there was really no way I couldn’t go.  The conference was 15-20 minutes away.  Two, four hour days of learning.  And besides, if you don’t know her already, Elaine Miller was one of the [...]

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CARNAGE!

July 9, 2010

Yesterday I headed out to the chicken house just like I do every morning.  A skip in my step, a spring in my heart.  Wondering if today the baby chicks will be born, trying to guess how many eggs I can have for breakfast….. but, something was different.  A tension in the air that I [...]

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Hermie: Who Is In Charge Anyway? DVD Review

July 7, 2010
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My kids were introduced to the “Hermie” series at a young age.  The characters are great and the lessons learned, wonderful.  Who could resist the voices of Tim Conway and Don Knotts (now deceased) as the loveable characters Hermie and Wormie?  My son, age 8, still loves the Hermie and Friends series and enjoys the [...]

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