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Archive for the ‘Writing’ Category

Imagine a world in which

you were actually perfect.

Finished.

Done.

With nothing to chase

nothing to walk toward.

How boring.

God, how boring.

— Arthur Brooks

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“Why else do we write but to make people feel, and perhaps even think a little?” — Gail Carriger, The Heroine’s Journey

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

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“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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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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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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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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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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