“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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Posts Tagged ‘Writers’
Why Indeed
Posted in Writing, tagged writing, creativity, Writers, Thoughts, #365Ways, connection, emotion, #365Ways2026 on July 30, 2026| Leave a Comment »
In Fellowship
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, creativity, hope, inspiration, joy, Thoughts, Writers, writing 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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What A Picture Is Worth
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, creativity, no fees, secret agent dogs, wacky fun, Writers, writing, writing contest 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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Where You Are
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, editing life, happy thoughts, Thoughts, Writers, writing 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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Just Bloom!
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, competition, inspiration, Motivation, quoteandaprettypicture, Thoughts, Writers, writing 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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Funny Fiction for Your Monday
Posted in Writing, Funny, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, data centers, free fiction, humor, short stories, Writers, writing 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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Where Once Fell Soft Rain
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, classics, free fiction, inspiration, library, nature, short stories, Thoughts, weather, Writers, writing 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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Listen
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, creativity, life, Thoughts, Writers, writing on July 9, 2026| Leave a Comment »
“Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you.” — Parker J. Palmer
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Our (Martian?) Future
Posted in Science!, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, inspiration, Mars, science, space exploration, Thoughts, Writers, writing on July 3, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Can you really survive on Mars? What science fiction gets wrong about off-world living | Space
Arnie said, “Get your ass to Mars”, but is it really a good idea? We asked the experts about our Martian future.
How likely is it that humanity will be able to live and thrive on Mars? Short answer, no. Longer answer? Still no! Doesn’t mean we can’t dream of new and exciting vistas in our future, though!
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Stay On the Path
Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, future, hope, Motivation, perspective, Thoughts, Writers, writing on July 2, 2026| Leave a Comment »
“To cultivate hope, people need three things, [Jamil Zaki, director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab] said: They first need to be able to envision a better future, either personally or collectively. Second, they need the willpower or motivation to move toward that future. And third, they must be able to chart “a path from where they are to where they want to be.” — Jamil Zaki, quoted in The Morning
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