MacGuffins are nouns in a story that drive the people and plot out of their normal routine and into fiction. In the end, they probably don't actually matter, but without them, the story doesn't have a compelling reason to get going. Respected and experienced creators have different definitions, but for the purpose of these prompts, … Continue reading October’s Writing Prompts
Category: art and writing
Djibril al-Ayad, Editor
To celebrate the Jubilee Issue of The Future Fire magazine, General Editor Djibril al-Ayad agreed to come and answer some of my questions about the work their team of editors and readers does in the speculative market. PersephoneKnits: Let's start with an introduction of The Future Fire (TFF) to the readers. Djibril al-Ayad: The Future Fire … Continue reading Djibril al-Ayad, Editor
Prose Poem
I'm trying to wrangle my Patreon posts into a spreadsheet, and rediscovered this prose poem I wrote two years ago. I loved this one, so I figured I'd share it so you could love it, too! Lunch Counter I’m sorry to stare. I sometimes have hallucinations and can’t always tell what’s there. Just a moment … Continue reading Prose Poem
September’s Writing Prompts
Ooh, for those of you with summer munchkins underfoot, you possibly have more time to write now that they are safely ensconced! But, you sit down to face that blank page and your mind stutters. This month's writing prompts (and the previous ones) might be able to help. Lots of sub calls will be for … Continue reading September’s Writing Prompts
Writing Prompts for August
Lacunamancy Staring into the holes of objects or text until you hallucinate. This was a practice of some Jewish mystics, and for some reason reminds me of The Wonderful Life of Henry Sugar (which I haven't read in decades, and should probably re-read). "...some Qumran scholars have spent many hours staring into the lacunae in … Continue reading Writing Prompts for August
Cover Reveal !!
The cover for Beak, Full of Tongue is almost finished, and I wanted to show you a sneak-peek of the front design! There are still some tweaks needed, and I sent the back-copy this morning, but isn't it lovely? *swoon* This poetry collection is twice the poems of Terracotta Pomegranate, and will be available … Continue reading Cover Reveal !!
July’s Writing Prompts
While searching for the cover image for my next poetry chapbook (coming the end of this month!), I found a pile of cool writing prompts. Enjoy! Ibex Man at the Museum He truly looks like he would grant me a wish or lead me to the next step of a quest! Egyptian Heart Betrays You … Continue reading July’s Writing Prompts
Book & Book
What would it be when you took the Dust of His Dark Materials and covered it in sin? That would be Dan Vyleta's Smoke. Mr. Vyleta has written a Dickensian tale of class structure, ethical theology, and coming-of-age in the most naked and brutal of ways. What if every sinful thought and compulsion you had were … Continue reading Book & Book
Cheryl Werber, writer & advocate
Cheryl Werber helps girl-identified teen writers connect through the written word with free, weekly Girls Write Pittsburgh workshops. Their organizational team is trained in youth mental health first aid and support, and they encourage the writers to take up space, write and read, and grow! Cheryl has a Master's Degree in non-profit organizational leadership, is … Continue reading Cheryl Werber, writer & advocate
Language as Lesson
In this Book & Book, two classics with an ambassador to a new world, whether by choice or force, demonstrate the lessons of language and their bearing on interpersonal power dynamics. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin sees an ambassador on the faraway planet of Winter where he must navigate shifgrethor … Continue reading Language as Lesson
