Young Women Writers

So, my students are all required to keep journals and we usually spend the first half hour of class writing in and sharing our journal entries.

I’ve come up with 14 prompts and would like to share! If anyone is feeling creative, have it it! I also have a few great assignments coming up and I will post them later.

Journal Assignments

Week 1 - About Me

Week 2 - What’s in a name? Often times peoples names hold great meaning. Why were you given your name? What does it mean? Has your name influenced you as a person / your personality? What does your name mean to you? Use these questions as a guide to explain the significance of your name.

Week 3 - Write a story entitled, “The Best Day of My Life” or “The Worst Day of My Life.”

Week 4 - Make a list of 10 things you’d love to do, explain why and tell us why you have not yet done them.

Week 5 - Choose your favorite recreational activity (bowling, reading, singing, etc.) and write about it from the perspective of someone who HATES that activity.

Week 6 - Think of your favorite childhood book or nursery rhyme and re-write it from a more adult perspective.

Week 7 - Write a poem about why you love or hate your job. NO RHYMES!

Week 8 - Using the color RED as inspiration, write a story.

Week 9 - Consider a mistake you’ve made in life. Would yo do things different if you had the chance? Why? Why not?

Week 10 - Write about your favorite food. What does it taste like? Look like? Feel like? Smell Like? Why is it your favorite food. Use detail.

Week 11 - Create a fictional product. Write a 1 page essay to convince someone why they should buy your product.

Week 12 - Who is your hero? Write a few paragraphs that describe your hero and explain why this person is your hero.

Week 13 - Write a 1 page description of the worst nightmare you’ve every had. If you don’t have any, make up a chilling tale.

Week 14 - If you were president…. What would this country be like? What would you change / not change and why?

Hello Friends,

I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted something, but I’ve just started my foray into the world of being a college educator. I am teaching two writing courses for a local college this semester… which is keeping me busy like a bee.

I still teaching as a substitute in grades k-12 as well… which means I have no free time, but I’m gaining valuable experience. Hopefully this will help me find that tenure track position I’ve been dreaming about!

I promise to write soon. I’ve been reading lots of new and interesting books! So, I have many suggestions for my faithful readers.

<3

Me

Hey All,

Our hot water heater went out today. So, it’s cold showers until someone comes to fix it! I do not have much to report. Currently, I’m doing some research reading and I’m enjoying it.

I took Heather’s suggestion and looked up Winesburg, Ohio. I’m only a few chapters in, but it’s interesting. Written in a style that is not used anymore, but the stories themselves are interesting. Each story is about a townsperson, but the author only writes about “grotesque” people.

Other than that, I’m still waiting on final confirmation about my teaching position at the technical college and gearing up for another year as a substitute teacher. I wound up subbing for the last few days of summer school, so, I’m already back in the habit! Yay!

<3

Me

Hey Guys,

 I’m having a stressful evening. I just worry too much! Either way, I wanted to check in. I did write a short prologue to the little paranormal project I mentioned last time. I don’t know that it will wind up being what I had expected, but it may evolve into something interesting.

 I’ll post the prologue once I’m satisfied with it and I promise to post the first chapter of “Damned Before Breakfast” sometime in the near future. I’ve been bogged down trying to get my paperwork in so that I can start my career as a college educator–albeit a part-time underpaid college educator, but hey, we all need to start somewhere!

That’s about it for now–will post more as it comes.

<3

Me

I was too exited to pass up on telling someone about my new idea!

 I was in the bathroom–don ‘t worry, I wasn’t on the pot–washing my face when I got this great idea for a new novel! I had been wanting to try AugNoWriMo because JulNoWriMo pushed me to pump out a novel in one months time, but I didn’t quite have an idea for another novel.

I’ve been tossing around the idea of writing a novel about witches, but I didn’t have many of the details plotted out. So, I didn ‘t go for the whole AugNo thing—I still have to revise and put the final details on my JulNo novel! But, I think I’m going to take some time before diving back into that one.

Anyway–back to my grand idea–For some reason, I remembered the “Wayside School” books by Louis Sachar. I had loved those while I was in grade school! While, I do not plan on writing children’s novels or even a book about the oddities of a school. I do, however, like the idea of writing about an odd town, but in small stories instead of one long story–though, it wouldn’t be in the style of a collection of short stories, more a longer piece made up of smaller snapshots.

I don’t exactly have a target audience at the moment–the book will be paranormal in nature–but I’m gong to start writing anyway. Once I’ve flushed out a few of the stories, I’ll be able to tell if the novel will work as an adult piece or a YA piece.

I am excited!

<3
Me

Hey Guys,

We’ve decided to go ahead and get a literary magazine started. The details are still a bit fuzzy, but we will be needing submissions in the near future.

Here is what I can tell you–It will start out small, strictly Internet. I’ll likely get a blog started for the magazine itself to keep everyone updated on progress and calls for submissions.

We will initially accept poetry and short creative non-fiction. The editors have different tastes. So, many types of work will be accepted. I, myself, have a penchant for sestinas! In general, I prefer work to be realistic and edgy–ala Charles Bukowski, Ferlinghetti, David Sedaris….and so fourth. So, if you’re looking to submit….check out the aforementioned writers!

I will let you know about the other editors as things progress.

We will be taking submissions in the near future. So, look for updates here! I will make sure to keep everyone informed and I will post a link once the other blog is up–though if my second blog winds up getting declined, I will likely create a page on this blog for the magazine.

 We do not plan on charging a reading fee or charging for submissions–it will be free! The only payment we are able to offer at this time is publication! If the magazine takes off, we may charge for subscriptions which will, in turn, allow us to pay contributors! Yay!

So, wish us luck and I will keep everyone informed. If you happen to have something you’d like to submit, let me know and I will get you contact information!

<3

Me

Hello Everyone,

 I know I’ve been flying under the radar for a while now, but I’ve been a busy girl. I’m still putting the finishing touches on my novel and I think it has come along nicely. Yay!

I sent off the first ten pages to the editor and I’m awaiting feedback. :) Hopefully they love it and want to publish it! Huzzah!

On another note, I’ve been offfered a part-time job teaching English on the college level. So, I’m busy planning for my upcoming course. Yay!

That’s about all for now, but more updates will soon come!

<3

Me

Hello Friends!

I just wanted to promote my friends brand new blog! His name is Nando and he rocks the haxor! Anyway, if you have some time, go check out his blog.

http://joblessgrad.today.com

I will post a perma-link in the near future.

<3

Me

I passed the 30k mark! 20K to go. Wish me luck, I’m well on my way to having a complete novel–or at least a draft.

I’m on a roll–hopefully I will meet or exceed tonights 30k deadline. I have plans to write at least 2 chapters tonight–so hopefully I can get ahead of the curve.

I have about 20k to go before meeting the JulNoWriMo word requirement–but I have a feeling that my story will take me beyond the word requirement. I hope to be able to finish the novel before the end of the month because I have plans to start another novel and participate in AugNoWriMo.

If work is slow, I may also participate in September’s writing month.

Wish me luck.

<3

Me