Today we tell a story focusing on the setting (and your five senses)

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170522-setting

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today we look at less tangible aspects of the world you’re building, and what makes them the way they are.

The prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170521-society

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Continuing our week of short story writing, for novelists, today we look at what aspects of your world might need better examined.

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170520-concrete

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today we step back into the past, to when your protagonist met an important supporting character

 

The prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170519-secondary

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today we ask: what if the protagonist simply isn’t up to the job…

 

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170518-no

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today we continue diving deeply into your protagonist’s past with a story that takes place just before the story you really want to tell; or with a series of journal entries from the same time period.

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170517-journal

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today kicks off a week of prompts that are aimed at helping novelists spend part of this month deepening their understanding of a work in progress or a work-to-be. Of course, the prompts can all be used by short story writers too!

Today’s prompt encourages you to delve into the past of a protagonist in one of your stories (or novels) and unearth what makes them the way they are…

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170516-turning-point

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today’s writing prompt encourages you to take a second look at an earlier story.

 

The prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170515-second-look/

 

 

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today’s prompt encourages you to think like a writer.

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170514-maria

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

In today’s prompt, writer Tony Conaway invites you to write about a misapprehension. 

 

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170513-tony

 

More about Tony: http://wayneaconaway.blogspot.com/

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today’s prompt is all about poetry. Or theft. Or possibly both…

 

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170512-elise/

 

More about Elise: 2 Elizabeths

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

 In today’s prompt Bea from The Busy Muse encourages us to take a second look at our first idea.

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170516-bea/

Bea’s site: The Busy Muse

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today’s writing prompt involves a chance encounter.

 

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170510-sarah

 

Sarah’s Books: http://amzn.to/2pir5nN
Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today’s prompt from Charlotte Rains Dixon is very, very silly. And sometimes that is exactly what we need…

 

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170509-charlotte

 

Charlotte’s page: http://www.wordstrumpet.com/

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today Marta Pelrine-Bacon encourages us to get a bit surprising in our writing.

 

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170508-marta

 

Marta’s novel: http://amzn.to/2pM1Xm7

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

A reflective prompt for Sunday, from writer and developmental editor Stuart Horwitz.

 

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170507-stuart

 

Stuart’s books: http://amzn.to/2q55Llr

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

In this prompt, Angela Ackerman invites us to explore our characters’ pasts, to find out what made them the people they are today.

 

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170506-angela/

 

Angela’s books: http://amzn.to/2p60wgn

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Today’s prompt comes from paranormal mystery author Phil Giunta, which reminds me that suspense and intrigue are essential components of any story.

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170505-phil

Phil’s Books: http://amzn.to/2qJTOxN

 

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

LJ Cohen gives us a writing prompt that proves to us that limits are awesome when it comes to productivity

 

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170504-LJ

LJ’s Books: http://amzn.to/2q62a3l 

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

We’re back today with another fantastic writing prompt from writer Kylie Quillinan, along with another heartfelt pep talk from me. Are you still writing? Gold star, for you!

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170503-kylie/

Kylie’s books: http://amzn.to/2oJIL6m

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

You’re back for Day 2. Good for you!

Today we celebrate that fact and bring you a writing prompt from mega-best-selling author Jerry B. Jenkins (of the Left Behind series)

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170502-jerry/

Jerry’s free stuff: www.jerryjenkins.com/how-to-write-a-book

 

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

StoryADay May 2017 is here!

Get your pep talks and writing prompts all month long.

Today we start with a writing prompt from writer Gregory Frost, and a pep talk from me, Julie Duffy.

 

The Prompt: https://storyaday.org/20170501-frost/

Social Media Graphics (tell everyone you’re writing this month!): https://storyaday.org/category/resources/graphics/

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

This week I talk about the different cycles we go through in a creative life: fertile and fallow, frenzied and fatigued…and how you can make the most of them.

 

Also in this show: concrete steps for preparing for StoryADay May, including a description of Story Sparks and a reminder to make your own rules (you don’t actually have to write a story every day. I don’t!)

 

Lastly, here’s the link for the Online Flash Fiction Workshop on April 22, 2017. Get your tickets now, before they sell out!

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

This month is all about publishing; how, why, and why not. 

I don’t talk much about publishing at StoryADay because the focus has always been on creativity. However, seven years in, I think we could stand to talk a little about what might be your ‘what next’. 

(Please excuse the slightly tremulous voice this week. Throat surgery last week has left me a little wobbly, but I’ll be back to full strength soon!)

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Sometimes it’s hard to write, or hard to get started, or hard to remember why we put ourselves through this! That’s when you need to assemble your cheerleaders…In this episode I talk about what my cheerleaders have done for me lately and how you might get some of your own.

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

This episode is a companion piece to this blog post:

https://storyaday.org/stay-excited.

Be sure to check it out for more details and to find all the exercises I talk about in the podcast.

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

Hopefully, you’ve been doing something looking back at 2016, making note of all the places where you did wonderfully things.

Now it’s time to look forward to building on them next year. This ‘look forward’ to 2017 offers some strategies for making the most of your writing time, setting P.A.C.E goals, and staying on track throughout the year.

Here are the worksheets I reference in this podcast, to help you plan for a successful 2017:

Annual Review Worksheet

Individual Goal Worksheet

Annual Goal Tracker/Overview

And here’s a detailed article about how to set exciting goals and actually achieve them, this time!

 

Like this podcast? Subscribe! iTunes | Android | RSS

Today’s episode is all about looking back at your year and capturing the achievements in your writing life that can help power you forward into your next year of writing.

Includes

WHY it’s good to track your achievements

HOW to remember what you’ve achieved

EXAMPLES of the kind of things you might list

RECOMMENDED READING for further thoughts on motivation

 

LINKS mentioned in the podcast

writers.digest@fwcommunity.com (to nominate StoryADay.org or another favorite blog for a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers listing)

Motivation For Creative People by Mark McGuinness (AF)

How Do You Want Your Novel to Change the World? by Julia Monroe Martin at WriterUnboxed.com

 

You may also want to listen to the follow-up episode: Looking Forward: Setting & Meeting Goals For Your Best Writing Year Ever or check out the accompanying post (with worksheets!) How To Set Exciting Writing Goals for Next Year — And Actually Meet Them This Time!

 

 

 
Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

November is here and whether you’re facing NaNoWriMo or just the change of seasons, it’s a great time to think about energy in your writing life.

Energy is the theme for November at StoryADay.org and I start out this week with a plea for physical activity (walking, specifically) and will be writing about this and other ‘energy’ issues through the month.

This episode also includes a writing prompt and some theft. Settle in…

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”

National Novel Writers’ Month is coming! 

How can writing a short story every week this month help you conquer NaNo?

Tune in to this 7 minute episode for answers…and a writing prompt about the upcoming holiday season and why it’s (almost) too late to start writing holiday stories (I know! Already!)

Another new episode of Write Every Day, Not “Some Day”