Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any.
- Orson Scott
Writing Prompt for July - Vacation
Ahhh, Vacation ...
Here are some ideas to write about -
1. Write about your favorite vacation.
2. If you could pack up and go, with no limits on time, money, etc, where would you go? What transportation would you use?
3. Are you the type who loves the beach? Would you rather go camping in the mountains, or stay at home and do nothing (I think this is impossible!)? Write about it and why.
4. What is the scariest, most unusual, or strangest thing that you experienced while on vacation?
5. Write a story about traveling with children.
Independence Day - July 4, 2019
Happy Independence Day!
Independence Day celebrates United States independence from Britain. July 4th, 1776 is the day the Declaration of Independence was signed and adopted by the 2nd Continental Congress. This year will mark the 243rd year of American independence.
Independence Day is always celebrated on the 4th of July unless the 4th lands on a Sunday, then it is celebrated on the following day.
This year, while we celebrate with picnics, family reunions, watermelon, fireworks, parades, etc., we should remember our freedom is not, nor has it ever been free.
Americans have fought and died to keep our country free and preserve the freedoms we enjoy.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Additional freedoms were spelled out in the Bill of Rights-the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution:
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Assembly
Freedom to voice grievances to the government
Freedom of a Militia
The right to Bear Arms
Freedom from Illegal Search of a Person or Property
The requirement of a Warrant showing reasonable cause, only with an Oath, with a specific place, person, and property to be searched.
No person shall be held for a capital offense unless presentment from the Grand Jury.
These are just a few of our freedoms, many of which are in jeopardy of being overthrown by our current Congress. We as Americans need to be vigilant to preserve our freedoms.
Memorial Day 2019
Memorial Day
May 27, 2019
The holiday is upon us. Memorial Day weekend - a time to get outside, spend time with family and friends, barbecues, picnics - hot-dogs and apple pie. Flags are flying. Old men march in parades in their uniforms. What's not to like?
Actually, Memorial Day was created as a time to remember those who had fallen in the Civil War. It was called Decoration Day so people would decorate the graves of the dead soldiers. Later, it was expanded to include the fallen in all American Wars. The name was changed to Memorial Day officially in 1967. Did you know, A National Moment of Rememberance, was established in 2000. We are to stop at 3:00 pm on Memorial Day afternoon to reflect on those who gave their lives for our freedoms. One minute of silence for all Americans to remember the fallen. Doesn't seem like much to ask. I had never heard of this National Act of Unity.
As an American, I believe it's the least I can do. I will set my clock for 3pm this Monday. I hope I'm not the only one.
Many of our members are veterans. I appreciate the sacrifices each has made and I'm glad they were able to return home. Thank you, all!
Do you know someone who was killed in a war? Someone who served? Write a story about an experience, a person, a memory, or a fictional account involving Memorial Day, a veteran, a fallen soldier, etc. This can also include stories of parades, barbecues, etc.
Make it under 500 words and it can be submitted for our writing contest.
Write over 500 words and it can be used for Creations 2019.
for more interesting facts about Memorial Day go to -
Happy Memorial Day, Everyone!
NO MEETING MAY 25TH - LIBRARY CLOSED!
Reminder:
No Meeting Sat, May 25th. The library is closed for Memorial Day Weekend!
Writing Contest
The Ada Writers' Short Story Contest is Under Way!
The contest is open to everyone. Tell your friends, relatives, and various acquaintances and encourage them to write their stories. This doesn't mean you're off the hook - you still need to write your story!
The Contest began April 30 and ends June 22.
Each story is limited to 500 words.
The requirements of how to submit your story were sent by email by Paula
but if for some reason you didn't get it - let us know, we'll get you a copy of the rules and submission requirements.
The main thing is to get it in on time, sent through the computer, typed double-spaced.
Remember there are prizes for the winners!
So get busy and get those stories written, the sooner the better.
Author Portraits
As you know, April 27th was picture day.
Several us went to McCoy-Callison Photography (also known as Legacy Portraits)
to have pictures taken for Creations 2019.
Janet McCoy (the photographer) offered to give us a special rate of $10.00 per person.
This was so all our pictures would be uniform and professional in Creations 2019.
We voted that we would take the $10 p/p from the Ada Writers bank account so everyone could participate. This paid for the sitting fees and a disc to be owned by the club, of all members.
Unfortunately, only 8 of our 19 members showed up.
Janet has offered a 2nd opportunity to take pictures of those that didn't make it, for the same price.
All you have to do is call her and set up a time.
Her contacts numbers are as follows -
work - 580-332-5104
cell - 580-421-3274
The club will still pay the $10 dollar fee. Please call and make arrangements ASAP!
Preferably before our business meeting, May 11th.
Extra prints can be ordered at $25.00 each. These will be
copyright-free so you can use them for your personal books!
Janet is doing this as a favor to Ada Writers. She is going above and beyond to
accommodate us. Anyone who doesn't have their portraits taken with Janet WILL NOT have a picture with their writings in Creations 2019.
Please call and make arrangements ASAP! This is such a great opportunity to have professional photos of all our members. Don't pass it up!
If you have any questions, you can call or email me.
Thanks!
Debbie
home phone - 580-332-8373, cell phone - 580-235-5124
emails - debbieanderson25@hughes.net or debbieanderson.writer1@gmail.com
May Day Writing Prompt # 2
May Baskets!
For those of you who don't know what a May Basket is here's a quick explanation:
May Baskets are cute little baskets made out of whatever you want to make them from - paper,
cardboard, a tin can, tissue paper, etc.
Traditionally, they were filled with flowers to celebrate spring. As time went on anything could be
added to a May Basket - candy, cookies or other baked goods, a small toy or gift, flowers, of course,
pretty much anything. Then you put them on the doorknob of a friend's house, rang the doorbell, and
ran. You tried to get away without the friend seeing you so he/she wouldn't know who left it.
So much fun.
Write a story, a memory from your past or something made up, about May Baskets.
Bring it to our May 11th meeting.
May Day Writing Prompt #1
It's May Day! The May Pole Dance is an important part of the traditional May Day Celebration.
Did you ever participate in a May Pole Dance?
Write about it and bring it to our meeting on May 11th.
Writing Prompt
Imagine you are a news anchor. Write the beginning of tonight's newscast. Make the top story what you truly think could happen today, or what you wish would happen today!
Bring your "news article" to our next meeting.
Picture Day, April 27,
April 27, 11:00, Picture Day! No Meeting at the Library
McCoy-Callison Photography (also known as Legacy Portraits)
2100 Ahloso Rd, Ada
580-332-5104 (studio #)
Directions: From the Library - Go east to Mississippi then
South past E-Stop, Left onto Ahloso Rd, Immediately left into the drive. The studio used to be a house.
I will meet anyone who wants to follow me to the studio, at 10:45 (at the library). Please let me know if you will be meeting me so I don't leave without you!! (580-332-8373 or 580-235-5024).
Suggestions from the photographer:
Wear a solid color
Black or white clothes are fine.
Don't forget your smile!
Remember, these pictures are for our 2019 Creations. So, think about how you want to be captured as a writer! The club will get a disc which will be the property of Ada Writers.
A special rate will be offered for anyone interested in buying pictures for themselves.
If you have any questions, call me.
See you Saturday!
Debbie
(580-332-8373 or 580-235-5024)
Legacy Portraits is the same photographers that take the graduation pictures for the local high schools.
Writing Prompt
Today on the NaNoWriMo blog, they gave some suggestions for writing prompts.
I thought I would share them with you:
Write a scene about:
- A vampire and a bank heist
- A ghost and a dysfunctional family
- A private eye and a haunted house
- An alien and a pizza parlor
Sounds like fun, huh? Bring your writing to our meeting Saturday!
National Card and Letter Writing Month!
April is National Card and Letter Writing Month
Remember receiving a letter, handwritten in beautiful penmanship? I bet it's been a while.
When was the last time you wrote a letter - not a text, tweet, or email, but an honest to goodness letter?
This is your chance. Pull out that stationary and brush off the dust. Get out your favorite pen (we all have one). Find your address book. You're ready to get started!
This is a wonderful tradition that is quickly going away. They don't teach penmanship or cursive in school anymore.
It doesn't have to be a lost art.
Your letter or card, doesn't have to be long. It's just a reminder that a person is special to you.
I found a great website on the subject. It has suggestions on how to proceed with this 'writing month' idea. Including, a calendar of ideas for every day of the month.
I hope you give it a try. We are writers after all. We should write!
https://www.thinkmakeshareblog.com
Camp NaNoWriMo! April 2019
- Complete a writing project in a month
- Track your progress
- Get online support
- Free to participants
- 100% fun
- https://campnanowrimo.org
Camp NaNoWriMo started on Apr 1 and goes through the 30th. It's not too late to start!
Join me in the challenge!
National Poem-in-my-Pocket Day April 18, 2019
National Poem-In-My-Pocket Day
April 18, 2019
Poem in Your Pocket Day 2019 is on April 18 and is part of National Poetry Month. On this day, select a poem, carry it with you, and share it with others at schools, bookstores, libraries, parks, workplaces, street corners, and on social media using the hashtag #pocketpoem.
It’s easy to carry a poem, share a poem, or start your own Poem in Your Pocket Day event. Here are some ideas of how you might get involved:
- Start a poem giveaway in your school or workplace
- Urge local businesses to offer discounts for those carrying poems
- Post pocket-sized verses in public places
- Memorize a poem
- Start a street team to pass out poems in your community
- Distribute bookmarks with your favorite lines of poetry
- Add a poem to your email footer
- Post lines from your favorite poem on your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, or Pinterest
- Send a poem to a friend
Other ideas-
Write a poem with chalk on a sidewalk
Add a poem to your signature line on your email.
Happy April
Happy April!
Don't you just love this time of year? Trees are blooming, bulbs are coming up, it rains (and rains!), it's sunny, it's cold, it's hot! Spring is here in full force. Suddenly, we have to mow our yards. We begin to think about what to have for Easter dinner or where we are planning to celebrate. We are ready for new, spring, clothes in brighter colors. We are ready to put winter behind us. Do you have a favorite memory of spring? Write about it and bring it to the next meeting. We'd love to hear about it.
Characters
At our last meeting we discussed Characters; what they are, why they are important, and how to use them in our story. This is an involved subject and we have only hit the surface. We will discuss some of the types of characters at future meetings. Meanwhile, we learned that characters are important to moving the story along. Our main character should be well defined. We should know what he looks like, how he thinks, what beliefs are important to him, etc.
The main character is the one who carries the reader through the plot of the story.
Here are some basic definitions of types of characters:
Main Characters – the characters that will have the most effect on the plot or are most affected by what happens in the story.
Protagonist-the main character who generates the action in the story and engages the reader’s interest and empathy. Often the hero or heroine.
Antagonist-A character or other force that opposes the protagonist.
Secondary Characters-serve to complement the major characters and help move the plot events forward.
Scissor Tail Festival 2019 - April 7-9 at ECU
Don't Forget - the ECU Scissortail Festival
Begins April 4th at 9:30 Estep Auditorium with
Ben Myers – Oklahoma Baptist University
Black
Sunday: The Dust Bowl Sonnets
This is a 2 1/2 day event. I plan to attend the whole event.
Anyone who wants to meet me there, call me 580-332-8373 or 580-235-5024
if I don't answer, leave a message or send me a text (text the 235-5024 # only).
If you can't attend the whole time - you may want to come
April 4 at 7:00 – 8:30 pm Ataloa Theatre
Hallie
Brown Ford Fine Arts Center
to see Tracy K Smith, poet laureate of the United States
for more information go to www.ecuscissortail.blogspot.com
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