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Archive for the ‘Writing’ Category

In Fellowship

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 29, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Today in happy history: On July 29, 1954, The Fellowship of the Ring was first published. 

What did past generations of my fellow nerds get excited about before then? No idea! But now I’m happy to share my love of Tolkien’s books with the world. 

“[The fairy tale] does not deny the existence of sorrow and failure: the possibility of these is necessary to the joy of deliverance. It denies (in the face of much evidence, if you will) universal final defeat…giving a fleeting glimpse of Joy; Joy beyond the walls of the world, poignant as grief.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien

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Photo by Leo Bayard on Unsplash

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What A Picture Is Worth

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 27, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Here’s a fun writing contest: 1Picture1000Words

Write 1,000 words about it by August 31st, 2026. You can write whatever you want, so long as you connect it to the photo. Creative nonfiction. Sci-fi. A joke. Something else. It’s up to you.

It’s run by Quarter Mile, the folks who put together the previously mentioned “Dear Aliens” contest. The contest is what you probably think it is. They’ve provided a photo and want 1,000 word stories about it. No more, no less. No fees!

Check out the site for more info (although apparently they’re being cagey about the name of the dog!).

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Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

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And That’s a Good Thing!

Posted in Other, Writing, tagged , , , , , , on July 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“Each day I am reborn. Each day I must begin again.” — Pablo Casals, Spanish Catalan cellist and conductor

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Photo by Paul Biñas on Unsplash

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Where You Are

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , on July 25, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“You can’t go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ― C.S. Lewis

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Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

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EditTalk

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , on July 24, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Something for the writers among us: In case you were wondering what a professional author thinks of the editing process, fantasy and science fiction author Jessie Mihalik has Thoughts!

Let’s Talk About Edits

If you take nothing else away from this post, take this: Edits should be constructive and collaborative.

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Photo by Samu Lopez on Unsplash

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Just Bloom!

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 23, 2026| Leave a Comment »

While it can sometimes be a helpful motivator to indulge in a bit of friendly professional competition, I find it generally unproductive to worry too much about who is doing what in the world of writing (and why I am not, who is ahead of me, what have they done lately, that sort of thing). What a lot of wasted energy. I’d rather use it to make something fun.

In case you need this reminder today!

“A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.” ― Koshin Ogui

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Photo by Karolina Bobek on Unsplash

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Funny Fiction for Your Monday

Posted in Funny, Writing, tagged , , , , , , , on July 20, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Sure, this short story from Ellie Race-Moore at McSweeney’s may be a little too on the news nose, but it is funny!

A Case for the Giant Toxic Goo Pit I Want to Build in the Center of Town

I am a humble man. I made my fortune the old-fashioned way, through grit, determination, and a small multi-million-dollar loan from my father. And now I’m trying to achieve something beyond what humans have ever imagined: a giant toxic goo pit.

Because Mondays are better with a bit of humor!

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Photo by Ahmed Zayan on Unsplash

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Cherish Your Gifts

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on July 19, 2026| Leave a Comment »

I see no particular merit in the fact that I was an artist at the age of eleven. I was born with an ability, with music in me, that is all. No special credit was due me. The only credit we can claim is for the use we make of the talent we are given. That is why I urge young musicians: “Don’t be vain because you happen to have talent. You are not responsible for that; it was not of your doing. What you do with your talent is what matters. You must cherish this gift. Do not demean or waste what you have been given. Work — work constantly and nourish it.” — Pablo Casals, Spanish Catalan cellist and conductor

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Photo by Kristin Brown on Unsplash

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Where Once Fell Soft Rain

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on July 18, 2026| Leave a Comment »

/where once fell soft rain

This phrase popped into my mind after a cloudburst rolled through overhead. We’ve been having more of those in the past few of years, intense concentrations of Nature’s power blasting through an otherwise clear weather map. It makes me miss the grey skies of summer rain, and the gentle drops that encouraged growth rather than washing it away.

The phrase also sounded very familiar, and a quick check assured me that yes, it was a variant on the title of a Ray Bradbury short story. It’s not a cheerful story by any means, but it is classic Bradbury.

There Will Come Soft Rains (short story) – Wikipedia

I found the story available here, along with a lot of other classics from the likes of HG Wells to George MacDonald to Bradbury, Christie, Chesterton, Gilman, and many more. 

Library of Short Stories | Authors

Here’s hoping you find stories that encourage your growth as a writer.

Enjoy!

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Photo by Mariia Zakatiura on Unsplash

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The Path to Good

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , on July 13, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The path to good runs through bad, and that goes for art forms we don’t even consider art forms, like friendship, parenthood, and citizenship. But the only thing that gets us better is practice. — Hank Green

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Photo by Yusheng Deng on Unsplash

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