Creative Nonfiction: A Reflection of the Past Year

Good evening, fellow writers! This is just a quick update, since the holiday festivities have me beat. Just a quick note: look at the top of the page and notice the beautiful banner I created. Procrastinating revisions? Hell yes.

Since many of us have been thinking about the past year--our regrets, our accomplishments, etc.--so I've been using those contemplative times for inspiration for my writing.

One thing I've been experimenting this semester is creative nonfiction. For those that don't know, creative nonfiction (in my opinion) combines some great aspects from both fiction and nonfiction: writing real life events in a story-like format. I find that I can really get a lot of emotion out of the events that really happened to me, and writing them in a novel format helps me improve my writing.

So this is my prompt for you this week. Think back on any event at all this past year, one that stands out in your mind. It can be elating, devastating, angering, anything. Then write about the moment, describing as much as you can remember (from the scenery to dialog) and write it like you would a short story. It should have a beginning, middle, and end, but it can be as long as it takes to tell the story. Happy writing!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at penelopepaige@rocketmail.com. Time to go sharpen that pencil...

Question: Have you ever written creative nonfiction?

To-Do List: Ally or Enemy?

Good afternoon, writers! Today I've been thinking about how I hardly have time to write. However, something I recently learned is that you have to MAKE time. I always say "I'm too busy to write," when in reality, I just don't make time. I always lower it and lower it on my priorities list. I have homework and studying, yes, but then I decide to go out to eat with my friends or go to the movies or write Christmas cards. How serious you are as a writer and how high writing is on your to-do list will show how determined you are to finish that novel or to get that article published.

This post is a short one, because, of course, I have many other things on my priorities list. But do me a favor: try to inspect your to-do list and see how you can rearrange it. Then you'll discover how much writing truly means to you.

If you have any comments, feel free to email me at penelopepaige@rocketmail.com. I guess it's time to pick up that pencil...

Question: How often do you write? Do you "have time" to write?