Be Inspired / 103 posts found
2022 April PAD Challenge: Day 6
The April Poem-A-Day Challenge is the big daily poeming challenge each year, but it’s not the only one. We also do a poem-a-day challenge in November based around the concept of creating a chapbook manuscript of poems, and I just announced the winner of that challenge last night. Click here to learn the winner of the 2021 November Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge! For today’s prompt, take the phrase “(blank) in the (blank),” replace the blanks with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles might include: “Poem in the […]
An Empty House
Photo by Kiwihug on Unsplash Ever since I moved into a new place last summer, I can’t stop thinking about how weird it was to see my old house totally emptied. This week, set your story in an empty house. Has it been abandoned? Is it being renovated? Does your character supposed to be there, or are they sneaking around? The choice is yours! Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments below.
2022 April PAD Challenge: Day 5
Here we go: The first Two-for-Tuesday prompt of the 2022 April Poem-A-Day Challenge! For first timers or those with short memories, I provide two prompts on Tuesdays, and poets get to decide whether to write one type of poem, the other type of poem, and/or tackle both simultaneously (or separately). Here are the Two-for-Tuesday prompts: Write a Make Sense poem, and/or… Write a Don’t Make Sense poem. Remember: These prompts are springboards to creativity. Use them to expand your possibilities, not limit them. Note on commenting: If you wish to comment on the site, go to Disqus to create a […]
Grant Ginder: On Following the Story That Wants To Be Told
Grant Ginder is the bestselling author of five novels, including The People We Hate at the Wedding and Honestly, We Meant Well. Originally from Southern California, Ginder received his MFA from NYU, where he teaches writing. He lives in Brooklyn with his husband Mac and dog Frankie. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Grant Ginder Photo by Peter Schottenfels In this post, Grant discusses the process of listening to his instincts in abandoning one idea for what would become his new novel, Let’s Not Do That Again, what he hopes to have achieved with the book, and more! Name: Grant […]
2022 April PAD Challenge: Day 4
Hopefully, you’re on your fourth day of poeming today, but it’s possible this is your first day of writing poems this April. If that’s the case, here’s your chance to catch up! For today’s prompt, write a catch up poem. This is not to be confused with a ketchup (or catsup) poem, but hey, write one of those if the poetic spirit moves you! But I’m thinking of catching up on work, catching up in a race, or catching up on some popular TV or streaming series. Remember: These prompts are springboards to creativity. Use them to expand your possibilities, […]
Lian Dolan: On Finding the Right Place and Right Time
Lian Dolan is a writer and talker. She’s the author of three best-selling novels, The Sweeney Sisters, Helen of Pasadena, and Elizabeth the First Wife. She’s a regular humor columnist for Pasadena Magazine and has previously written monthly columns for O, The Oprah Magazine and Working Mother Magazine. She’s also written for TV, radio, and websites. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Lian Dolan In this post, Lian discusses the years-long process of putting down and picking back up the idea that would become her new novel, Lost and Found in Paris, the challenges of publishing a book in […]
2022 April PAD Challenge: Day 3
I always say that people who make it through the first three days of the challenge have a much greater chance of finishing the challenge than others. Also, people who make it through the first weekend have far superior odds of completion. Once you finish today’s poem, you can put a checkmark next to both categories. For today’s prompt, write a smell poem. Strong writing uses sensory language, and one sense that is often overlooked is the sense of smell. So write about the pungent smell of teenage socks, the exquisite odor of fresh lasagna, or the coppery scent of […]
Liisa Jorgensen: On Inspiring and Challenging Readers
Liisa Jorgensen has worked as a writer and story editor on a diverse variety of film and television productions for Myth Merchant Films for over 20 years. She believes in the power of story and its ability to help audiences transform and become better humans. She is especially interested in ending the stigmas associated with mental illness and disorders, as well as highlighting those who serve a greater good and live for something other than themselves. She lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Liisa Jorgensen In this post, Liisa discusses tackling a new perspective […]
2022 April PAD Challenge: Day 2
Welcome back! It’s day two of the April PAD Challenge, and it’s your second chance to write a poem this month. For today’s prompt, write a second chance poem. That second chance could be a second chance at a relationship, at living life, or doing the right thing. Maybe play with whether it’s deserved or not, or just dive straight into giving or taking that second chance. Remember: These prompts are springboards to creativity. Use them to expand your possibilities, not limit them. Note on commenting: If you wish to comment on the site, go to Disqus to create a […]
2022 April PAD Challenge: Day 1
Here we are with the first day of the 2022 April Poem-A-Day Challenge! Each day, I’ll provide a poetry prompt and a poem to get things started. You can secretly poem along at home, or you can share your poem in the comments below. For today’s prompt, pick a word that begins with F, make it the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. I don’t know if it’s because today is April Fool’s Day, Friday, or just the first day of the challenge, but today really feels like an F type of day. So figure out a […]