Vivian Lee Mahoney Consider Yourself Warned: I Write Books About Rebels
Write-a-Scene Writing Prompts
Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt: Make a Good First Impression
[Note: Since many of you are working on a new WIP for the 30 day goal, thought I'd repost this writing prompt. Enjoy your weekend!] ———— Let’s face it. Good impressions are important. But, some people may claim it’s superficial and unfair. After all, isn’t it what’s inside that counts anyway? For the most part, [...]
Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt: The Power of Flexibility
Sometimes, life hands you lemons, no matter how well you’ve planned out your ______ (day, week, life, party, prom, etc). Even though you want to ______ (cry, hurl, crawl underneath your covers, pull out your hair and scream, etc), be _______ (careful, positive, flexible, etc). No good will come from _______ (complaining, whining, wishing everything [...]
Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt: Visualize and BE
“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” -Epictetus I love this quote. Isn’t it the perfect mantra to remember when working on all those New Year’s Resolutions? Okay. Maybe you’re not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions. What if we keep the peace and call them [...]
Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt: Using the Green-Eyed Monster for the Greater Good
My Dad called because he was concerned about my lack of blog posts. Apparently, he was worried I’d lost a little of my writing mojo. *sigh* So true. What with getting things ready for Christmas, end-of -year school projects, writing not writing, and reflecting back on goals accomplished in 2010…well, it’s enough to… *ahem* So [...]
Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt: Venturing Outside the Comfort Zone
I started to blog almost 4 years ago because of a dare. My sister insisted that if I really wanted to become a published author, I’d better conquer my fear of having people read my work. Her solution? A blog. “Get yourself out there,” she said. “Blogging allows people to read what you’ve written. Plus, [...]
Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt: When the Familiar Becomes Not So
[tweetmeme] “Mom, are you sure we’re going the right way?” Thanks to Wonder Girl, this one question inspired a Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt last year over at my HipWriterMama blog. I thought I’d share the same prompt today, since this is a good reminder for all of us — Setting is Character in our manuscripts. Keep [...]
Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt: Who Are You?
Aren’t you glad Halloween is over? I know I sound like a curmudgeon, but seriously, you try finding Halloween costumes that will make three children happy. To be fair, Wonder Girl and Ninja Girl made fairly quick decisions and we had fun coming up with costumes for a Nice Vampiress with No Ugly Fangs and [...]
Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt: A Message of Perseverance
It’s hard to write in the summer, when it’s hot and there’s no A/C, when the kids are home and they need attention. NOW. My writing has suffered immensely these past couple weeks. There’s been little time and when I do manage to write something, it’s a complete mess. Okay. Enough of the whining. Thank [...]
Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt: Persistence
[tweetmeme] Sometimes, it’s hard to keep moving toward a goal. You’re not feeling well. There are too many things on the To-Do List. The house is a mess. Your family needs attention. You’d rather write than work, but need your job. You don’t know how to say, “No,” when someone asks you to volunteer or [...]
Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt: Character Motivation
[tweetmeme] When I was in college, I loved hanging out in front of the main student center and getting in some face time. Sure there were other places to hang out, the fish bowl over at Uris Library, the different college quads or Libe Slope, but Willard Straight Hall was the place to be if [...]
Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt: Character Angst: It’s All About Emotion, Baby
Call it the winter doldrums, middle age crisis, the endless repetition of life. Maybe it’s the gatekeeper of children whose future teenage spirits pop up at a moment’s notice, writer’s block, or the fear your protagonist won’t figure out a way to persevere. It could be teenage angst, a bully, false friends, school troubles, screams [...]
Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt: Character Analysis: The I Want It Now Blues
Remember Veruca Salt in WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY? This spoiled young girl wanted everything–a golden ticket, an Oompa Loompa, a golden goose, the golden egg–ALL RIGHT NOW!! Not everyone knows what they want. Sometimes it’s wrapped up in immediate gratification or based on current trends. Or maybe it’s reflected in the mood of [...]
Day 32: Mapping Out Writing Time: Create a Great Setting and Sunday Winners
A few people participated in yesterday’s spontaneous It’s a Sunday, Daylight Savings Time, Rainy Day Organizing and Writing Challenge Kind of Day. Thanks for being my challenge buddies! I used the opportunity to create a nice study area for the kids. We live in a modest-sized home, built in the 1950′s, before family rooms became [...]
Day 31: Mapping Out Writing Time: Finding Inspiration When You Least Expect It
I recently went to my doctor’s office for a routine exam. Even though I love knowing about all things medical, I hate feeling vulnerable, embarrassed and stressed in one fell swoop. There’s nothing like being displayed for all the world to see to give one a jolt of adrenalin. Then to top it off, the [...]
Day 30: Mapping Out Writing Time: How Much Baggage Do You Need To Get Rid Of To Move Forward?
I’ve written about this before, and thought this topic would make a good reminder and great Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt. As we grow older, most of us carry around baggage in one form another. Maybe it’s a childhood friend whispering behind our back, “She’ssoweirdlet’sditchher,” and believing everyone will believe the same thing. A guilt we have [...]
Day 29: Mapping Out Writing Time: Beware the Shifts in Power
See Beau. He looks a bit fuzzy in this photo, but don’t hold it against him. Isn’t he cute? My sister-in-law asked us to puppysit for five days and four nights. Look at Beau. How could we resist? The girls were thrilled. They love Beau. He really is cute. Except…Beau woke all of us at [...]
Day 28: Mapping Out Writing Time: Brilliant Plots Require Easy Organization and Happiness Giveaway #2
If you wish to be a writer, write. -Epictetus And write, I will. But first, I have to tell you about the portable plotting organizer I put together the other day for my new WIP. It’s so simple, I can hardly stand it. It may very well keep me sane during my writing and revision [...]
Day 27: Mapping Out Writing Time: Using the Green-Eyed Monster for the Greater Good and Happiness Giveaway #1
January. January. January. I despise how I’ve allowed these four syllables to throw me into a funk these past few years. It’s not supposed to be this way. January is meant for new beginnings. We say farewell to the old year and herald in the new. We write up our New Year’s Resolutions and try [...]
Day 26: Mapping Out Writing Time: Visualize Your Goal and Work Toward It
“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” -Epictetus This quote speaks volumes by itself. Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt: Everyone dreams to BE something. Write a scene where your MC comes to terms with what he/she wants to be. Will this be easy to accomplish? What sacrifices will [...]
Day 25: Mapping Out Writing Time: When the Familiar Becomes Not So
“Mom, are you sure we’re going the right way?” With this one question, a new Write-a-Scene topic was born. Thank you, Wonder Girl. We were driving on a narrow road, one of the many quiet streets connecting one town to another. I’ve driven this way countless times, and yet, Wonder Girl’s question made me wonder [...]
Day 24: Mapping Out Writing Time: Staying the Course, Even When Others Don’t Believe
“Mom, I forgot to mail my letter to Santa!” Spy Girl flew into the kitchen this morning, envelope in hand. “Do you think it’s too late?” For the past few years, I’ve been waiting to have the talk with Spy Girl about Santa. Her friends have been dropping comments since the second grade, and despite [...]
Day 23: Mapping Out Writing Time: The Double-Edged Sword
Life seems to get in the way of my writing. The flu, three children, a husband, managing office work that piles up faster than I can organize, housework, soccer, too much homework to supervise, holiday pressures, and general doldrums have provided more than plenty of opportunity for numerous excuses and bad creative behavior. When I [...]
Day 22: Mapping Out Writing Time: Do the UNEXPECTED
It’s been awhile since my last Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt and I thank all of you for your patience. Though, perhaps, you’ve all been as crazed as I’ve been these past few weeks and have welcomed the reprieve. Or maybe, like me, you’ve hit a creative slump and needed the break. And truly, with the holiday [...]
Day 21: Mapping Out Writing Time: Injecting Humor the Inkygirl Way
Well. The whole household has fallen to this evil virus, called the flu. Is it swine flu? No idea since our doctor’s office won’t test for it. Even if it was this fast-morphing contagion, there are no prescription meds for the flu to be found. But, I will tell you it is nasty. And totally [...]
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