January's Let's Write Together
PROMPT POST!
We had our first writing prompt party of the year tonight, but we get that not everyone can make it, so it is time to reveal the prompt we shared.
First, Let’s Talk About How You Are Doing
We know our Fictionistas community checks in from all corners of the Earth and we know there has been a lot going on, so this week’s question is a simple enough one to address:
How are you doing right now?
I know Elmo got in over his head with asking this question online not too long ago, but I also recognize that sometimes the simplest thing we can do for our community is to check in. So let us know in the comments how this New Year is treating you so far, and what your hopes are for the rest of the year ahead!
Now, On To Our Month-Long Fictionistas Prompt Celebration!
If you missed the post with all the information and instructions you can read via the link below. Don’t worry you can still participate. Grab your laptop or pen and paper and join the fun!
The doc below describes the original model of this celebration, remember this month WE won’t be deciding which substacks will be getting a spotlight shone on them, YOU will! Next week we will come back with a more detailed explanation, but, in short, when the thread post comes out next week, we will be asking participants to read, react, and RESTACK each other’s stories with a special focus on sentences, or passages, they quote in their Notes.
And Finally… The Prompt
I have a brand new prompt tool and I cracked it open in the writing prompt party. It’s a deck of cards called WRITER EMERGENCY PACK by John August. We selected three “Idea Cards” from the deck and used that to be our writing prompt.
Your prompt:
Write a story using at least two of these cards as inspiration:
MAGNIFY: Up close, everything looks different. Zoom in to focus on a moment, a detail or an emtion.
THAT WAS LUCKY: Let your hero succeed through pure dumb luck. Just make sure the pendulum swings both ways.
FIGHT THE GIANT: Your hero will have to face her adversary at some point. Why not now?
Here’s a photo of the cards we pulled:
What now?
Now that the party is over, it’s time to polish your piece to get it ready for next week’s discussion thread. Get your polished story (no longer than 1000 words) on your Substack page, or on a a view-only Google doc, and put the link in the comments of the thread post we will share next Thursday.
Once you share your stories, the community will start reading, reacting, and restacking your fiction!
Let’s write together this month, Fictionistas!
Share the Fiction Love!
Do you know a writer who is looking for this kind of inspiration and community support? Don’t forget to share this post so we can read their stories too!
I’m Jackie, a fiction author, freelance writer, and historian. I enjoy rooting for the underdog and stirring up trouble. Unsurprisingly, my alignment is Chaotic Good. My Substacks are Unseen St. Louis and Story Cauldron.
I’m Nicole creator of all things Stop Writing Alone including a podcast, a YouTube channel, and a Substack community hosting multiple monthly Live Zoom Events for writers seeking community. If you are ready to truly stop writing alone, join here.
That's a great prompt! I like the magnifying part. I'll try to write a story, and I hope I do it right because I'm new here and all the buttons, threads, and notes still seem like a jungle. :)))
How I am doing: worried for you, America. What have you done?