Writer, poet, journalist, editor, and more
The ocean is as vast mentally as physically. Perhaps no other aspect of nature has been so deeply described and analyzed. Instead of attempting too broad of a subject, focus instead on a particular trait that the ocean has, whether its beauty, size, danger, or mysteriousness. Personify the ocean. What would you say to the ocean,... Continue Reading →
By now, everyone knows that there's no "right" way to write a book. There are as many different writing styles and approaches as there are people. In some ways, writing styles can be grouped into loose categories. However, I prefer to see them as points along a spectrum-- a line stretching between two extremes, with most... Continue Reading →
They say that mimicry is flattery. These days, mimicry is a more subtle art. Sometimes it can lean more toward plagiarism than respect. However, beyond that pessimistic thought, borrowing other's ideas is a proven tactic if you're lacking ideas (or enough ideas for a whole plot). Indeed, it seems that, with all of the novels... Continue Reading →
Today's short story prompt was inspired by a Twilight Zone episode (The Monsters are Due on Maple Street, Season 1, if you're curious). As usual, feel free to post in the comments below. A mysterious creature is approaching a small country town. It travels in the forest at night, slowly obliterating everything in its path.... Continue Reading →
Today's poetry prompt is about trains, or just railroads in general. Where do they go, and who, or what, do they carry? Not many passenger trains run today, at least in the United States. In the city, subways are common, but the traditional steam-engine locomotive has mostly passed to the history books. Whether your poem reflects the... Continue Reading →
Ah, that familiar feeling-- the one of having no new ideas. In this world full of literally millions of possible plots and characters, it shouldn't happen, and yet it does, whether caused by a mental block or simply finishing one project and moving to the next. And what's to be done? How can we glean... Continue Reading →
Michael Nellis 