Monday Writing Essentials, October 5, 2009

Hello Gather Writing Essential Members,

I'm Marilyn Nicholson and I'll be posting prompts each week, on Monday.  Please feel free to use them or not. Some people like to use prompts, as I do - sometimes. These are not mandatory, but use them if you want to.

Prompts do help you in your writing and also give you some pretty interesting ideas.

Those ideas can lead to more writing and more learning.

I'll accept posts that aren't done with prompts, just as long as they're writing; poetry or prose. I'll also accept photo essays, as long as the written word tells a story about the photos. In other words, write about what photos you're posting. Tell me a story.

Here is where you'll sit down and have some fun, learning more about writing without even knowing it. I will comment on all of your posts, with or without prompts.

If you'd like critque' - let me know, but also know it will always be done with kindness. I'd like to tell you too, that you can also critique' me, with kindness. If at first you're not comfortable with critique', even on grammar, if at the bottom of your post, you don't ask for it, that's all right. Hopefully, you'll get comfortable enough to ask at some point.

That usually happens once we stop being afraid of being criticized, for something that you wrote from your heart. Remember, there is a world of difference between kind critique' and criticism.

There are many seasoned writers on here, but just as many beginners and yes, we were all beginners at one time or another -- that's how we learn.

Your prompts for this Monday, October 5, 2009, should you wish to use them are:

Write at least two, paragraphs, short or long, of something you've always wanted to do.
It can be something real, or you can make it up.

Use the words:
Believe, I'd love to and why not.
Use this sentence: Why can't you do it first?

Tag with MWE and post to Gather Writing Essentials, and other appropriate groups that you feel are good to post to, for you, but please don't post to groups that are only for points. That's not how you'll learn.

Also, include, MWE and the date in your title. It'll help me to find them quickly. You have all week to do this, so feel free to take your time.

But most of all, have fun. Relax and enjoy yourselves. If you're a beginner, this is a great place to begin! I've  been a beginner, I know how it is. After the initial fear, it's a whole lot of fun.

So, jump in and have some fun. If for some reason I miss a post of yours, leave me a note in the comments here, I'll find you. Feel free to pm me with any questions.

Marilyn