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November Writing Tips, Recommended Stories, and Scripture Prompt
By: Kimberley Payne
Tags: Recommended Reading, Writing Tips, Scripture Prompt, Writers On Medium, Writers On Writing

Writing Tips

The writing tips in November that were shared on our Facebook group include:

Mary Hood: Does anyone use grammarly? The free version used to offer so much more help and now they only focus on punctuation and grammar. Are there any other writing sites with more free information?

Kyle Chastain: I use grammarly for everything I write. I also use the Hemingway App which highlights complex sentences, passive voice, adverbs, etc. and offers suggestions on how to fix them. It’s also free.

Mary Hood: I will check it out never heard of it and I can’t afford to pay right now.

Sarah Paris: Grammarly does still help catch run-ons, etc, but offers a bunch of bot, inappropriate extra commas/ can’t judge article modifiers well, etc. So I use both it & Hemingway

Mary Hood: Yes, they just love those commas!

Sarah Paris: Indeed! I actually wrote a Halloween satire piece for MuddyUm about this.

**

Kimberley Payne: This was one of my favourites about how to tell the difference between a verb, adjective, adverb and noun.… a walk down memory lane. LOL

**

Mary Gallagher: Tell me your favorite publications to write for, besides this one, of course!

Chelsey Blake: Since most of my faith-based pieces are published here, I’d have to say that the other publication that I love submitting to is In the Trenches. It’s marketing/media focused and as a freelance marketer it allows me to share my expertise in that area as well.

Kyle Chastain: I’ve gotten some stretching in The Innovation and Illumination.

Mary Gallagher: I’ve been looking at these 2 this week…any tips?

Kyle Chastain: Both are open for application. Illumination says they will publish anything from any writer so they publish in volume and not every writer is quality. That said, there are some good ones.

They also have a second publication called Illumination Curated which aims for high quality work.

The Innovation publishes in tech, entrepreneurship, marketing and writing. They are growing fast and I like the editor.

Neither pub gives feedback or editing. I think both have a link to apply on their page.

Mary Hood: Dreams and stories and opinioc

Barbara Radisavljevic: My new favorite is Weeds and Wildflowers because I like to write photo essays. It’s not too large, but it’s an active group that leaves room for inspirational photo essays. It’s easy of me to publish there when I don’t want to go to deep, my subject is from my usual topics, or I am short of time.

**

Kimberley Payne: Do you know which photos you’re allowed to use? Beware and learn from my experience! Why You Should Always Use an authorized Photo.

Barbara Radisavljevic: I try to use my own photos unless I can’t find any in my thousands that will work. When I need an image I can’t capture myself I use one in the public domain.
Stories in the Mud: Memory and Small Town Crime
By: Jessicca Daigle Martin
Tags: Creative Writing, Nonfiction, Writers On Medium, Memories, True Crime

Who can forget the derailed passenger train careening off the Morgan City Railroad Bridge and being swallowed up into the dark waters of the Atchafalaya River before finally coming to rest miles down in its watery grave? What about the serial killer who, years later, snuffed the life from five local teens? The collective memory has never forgotten the sadistic outsider their kids fell victim to, just like it’s never forgetting the two boys murdered in cold blood by one of their own — a Baptist Sunday school teacher with homegrown roots that ran deep, far, and wide.

Even though the accident happened decades before I was even born, it’s there, from the murky depths of the Atchafalaya River, that images of the passengers’ terrified faces torment me. It’s a beast of a river that serves one of its purposes of diverting the mighty Mississippi. (Even John McPhee was taken by its power and daring human attempt to control nature).

It’s a story that was a part of me before I even existed. And even though my family moved away from the area when I was 11, those faces have never left me. They show up at different times and places, but their ghostly calls are always strongest on the “old bridge” that stretches across the Atchafalaya, connecting the small Louisiana towns of Morgan City and Berwick.

On the rare occasion I travel back to Morgan City, I try to avoid taking the old bridge not only because it’s old, but also because it still looks like both ghost and bones, an apparition-like behemoth that’s swallowed up each morning by the heavy fog floating at the river’s surface. Every once in a while, however, I miss the exit for the newer bridge — the one most people from that area prefer— and am forced to take the Long-Allen Bridge, the old and narrow two-laned truss bridge dating back to the 1930s.

To drive across the vast brown water of the Atchafalaya is to drive on a bridge dressed in generations of disrepair. It’s the figurative “rubber meets the road” kind of experience for me. More like a phobia, really, as it always conjures frightening reminders of my childhood. For me, this is the stuff of terror and equates to nothing short of a nightmare, both physical and imagined. Over time my amygdala has taken such experiences and learned how to mark only a few divisions between what my subconscious percieves as real and what my body actually experiences as truth.
I get turned on at the oddest times.
By: Sherry Mcguinn
Tags: Attraction, Writers On Medium, Sex, Truth, Hot Men

I get turned on at the oddest times. Why? Because there are some seriously hot men on Medium. I’m not sure if I should name them because I don’t want to embarrass anyone, but I’m hoping they know who they are as I consider them friends. Lust-worthy friends. When they pop up in my feed, I’m all eyes.

One such guy writes some of the sexiest stuff I’ve read on Medium. Sexier than the output from the so-called “sex writers.” His stories are bold, honest, and smokin’ hot. With just enough “raunch.” He published one such piece about oral sex and I nearly passed out after reading.

Frankly, if you put all these guys together, I could eat them with a really big spoon. It’s the combination of brains and a wicked sense of humor that turns me to jello. And I’ll take it. Just don’t ask me to share.
I know nothing about News Break, but I'll tell you what: I'm sad that you're the slightest…
By: Sterling Page
Tags: Followers, Rant, Society, Writers On Medium, Making It Happen

I know nothing about News Break, but I'll tell you what: I'm sad that you're the slightest stressed about them and about Medium. In fact, I'm sad for all of us who can't get ahead of all the bullshit chatter on this platform where they celebrate mediocrity and we're accused of showing our "privilege" if we complain about the endless typos and bad grammar of successful writers here.

Medium is trying to Twitter us to death, and I guess that makes sense, considering. But fuck them and their asshole algorithm that changes just as soon as the talent figures out how it works.

Write your heart, love. That's where your power lies. 💜
About Me — Sheryl Shiju Sam. Writer and blogger
By: Sheryl Shiju Sam
Tags: Writer, Introduction, About Me, Writers On Medium, Writing Life

About Me — Sheryl Shiju Sam

I am a passionate storyteller.

I firmly believe that good stories make up life, whether it’s at work or play. Persuasive communication has driven change throughout history and that’s what I strive to do with my writing. I treat my work as art and dedicate my time to craft words that bring hope and curiosity.

I am also a big fan of creativity. From creativity in thinking to action, I champion all things creative. A life devoid of creativity lacks vibrancy.

When I am not writing, I am a mom to two toddlers, so you can take a wild guess how that is. It’s while dealing with the ups and downs of parenting that I started to take my gift of writing seriously and have found solace in it. I also try to help others to embrace all of life’s flavors, the sweet, the salty, and the bitter.

Alongside being a stay-at-home mom to my kids, I am a freelance writer and blogger.

image by author

I also have prior experience of working with non-profits as a communications person and storytelling was a big part of my job to influence change and raising resources.

Please do give me a shout out if you are looking to tell good stories on life, parenting, self -improvement, Christian faith, and the likes.

I write for pleasure but a girl’s got to eat too, right?
- Grin Spickett
By: Grin Spickett
Tags: Writing, Writer, Grammarly, Writers On Medium, Humor

As you can surmise, the situation is in dire need of rectification. I beseech that you dispatch assistance forthwith. That is if you remain able to comprehend me.
Stumbling Blue
By: Millie Hernandez
Tags: Creative Writing, Dreams, Writers On Medium, Heavenly, Poetry On Medium

Standing on a timeless dream

I’m lost in the

Im lost in cloud of heavenly scent.

And here, we go back.

To this timeless moment(s)

Ones where running wasn’t hard

Where I lay underneath the heat

& allow you to bathe me with you.

Go forward, go forward

Fast foward…

I lay under, we lay under a blue sky

With pure white stars

Exotic sweeetnesss

Here, here

A magical time.

Feels like, feels like

Im lost in a dream, Am I lost?

Am I discovering you(?)

-m.j.h.
Gentle Love (I)
By: Millie Hernandez
Tags: Creative Writing, Writers On Medium, Lovetomorrow, Poetry On Medium

I don’t have a lot to give

But, if it means I’ll spend my life

Most life, this lifetime with you?

Take all theses nights, all these days

Ones that are spend with laughter,

Joy, car rides, coffee, night walks.

Even, those nights where crying

Is our way of know we’re getting there

There together.

I don’t have a lot to give

But, i know you have me to smithereens

And that here, this is everything to have

To give, to hold me.

I don’t want perfect, i want something

To fight for, something ever so gentle

Yet, fueling of this fire.

I have so much to give,

I have so much to give.

But, are you ready?

Are you going to be there.

-m.j.h.

Medium Staff Medium The Writing Cooperative
Exposure ( 17.7.)
By: Millie Hernandez
Tags: Creative Writing, Poetry, Writers On Medium, Poems On Medium, Thoughts And Feelings

Exposure of the inner-core

Exposure of the indescribable

Yet, I sip.

Exposure of you,

Exposure of us.

Yet, a feeling I adore.

Fast-forward! Fast FOWARD.

Dancing while holding a drink

Yet, you only like juice.

Moonlight beams down on you.

Oh, such a beauty..

Fast-forward, fast forward.

We bring out a different kinda us

You fall so easy, yet so cautiously..

Dancing, dancing.

As we only enjoy the company

Of our silence.

Told me, “ you take me to places I’ve never known & you push me to places I’ve never gone.”

Dancing, dancing

As we allow the silence

To speak for ourselves.
Beginners writing block: How to start writing on Medium.
By: Shubhankar Singh
Tags: Self Improvement, Writers Block, Beginners Guide, Writers On Medium

Do you have the same blank expression before you start writing?

I must have pressed backspace not less than a 100 times to write the first line of the first article that I’m going to publish here on Medium. This happens to be that first article of the many that are about to come.(hopefully)

Most of us who have ever tried or are trying to flex our writing prowess here have done the same thing over and over again.

We have an idea that we want to share, type some stuff up and then backspace it. Some of us even close the tab after a few tries and give up.

We say “Bleh its too much of work, I don’t want my writing to suck”

Relatable right ? Cause I have done it a million times myself.

There are various reasons to why we don’t bother writing even if we have an urge to write but the most basic reason comes out to be:

Q: “Whether people would read what I have written”

Now this question is a paradox in itself, let me bust it in just a single line:

A: “How would you know until you press the Publish button and wait for a few days?”

Then another question that I have asked myself a million times and I am pretty sure that you must have too is:

Q: “There are a lot of good writers out there and will I ever be good enough ?”

Now this one’s a bit tricky and the answer is relativistic but I have tackled this self limiting question by a simple answer:

A: “How would I know until I have tried a hundred times and still failed ? No writer I have seen ever started with a million readers.”

Now these two basic questions can be treated as an Umbrella for a plethora of questions that we ask ourselves even before we finish writing the first sentence.

You can read all the famous writers out there sharing their insights on about how they overcame their writing insecurities in much detail.

But I want to keep it short and simple.

You got an Idea that you want to write about:

Just take out your Pen/Paper/Napkin/Laptop and write.

Medium does not charge you for Shitty Writeups so just keep at it.

Keep writing because only two things can happen:

“Either the world starts to relate with you or you fall in love with writing for yourself all over again.”
About Me — Chandrika Bhattacharya
By: Chandrika Bhattacharya
Tags: Writing, Introduction, Writer, About Me, Writers On Medium

It is through written words that I have always been able to express myself as truly as possible, and somewhere all along, I knew that I wanted to create something with written words, at some point;

I just didn’t know how or when that would happen;

Until Medium showed me the way.

I think I found Medium at a time in my life when I had to push myself to grow beyond what was already known to me, About Me, and everything else simply followed.

I found (and still continue to find) strength in the words of many Writers on this platform, that helped me to grow into better and stronger versions of myself (and still helps me).

It was somewhere in between learning and growing from reading the works of other Writers out here, and having felt a purpose to share my learnings from my perspective, that I took up writing and publishing consistently since early this year;

I simply write to share thoughts on understanding the world in a way that enables us to live well, and to live simply (Yes, that’s my Short Bio on the Profile anyway);

But, most importantly, I write to share those thoughts to enable everyone who reads my work, to grow into better and stronger versions of themselves;

I hope to create an impact within my readers’ (Yes, you too!) souls, that encourages them to put into action the words I write, just the way I put my learnings to action from reading works that inspired me.

I do not know yet, where this journey will take me, but I intend to keep at it, because part of the fun is in not knowing exactly where it is headed.
Goodbye, Comfort Zone: (Re)Introducing My Blog and Podcast
By: Jimmy Girot
Tags: Writers On Medium, Leadership, Technology, Mental Health, Podcasters

I’m both excited and nervous to relaunch my personal blog and podcast.

I started my first blog in 2010. It was really bad, but I didn’t care what others thought back then.

I haven’t written for myself in over two years, probably longer. In fact, I deleted my old websites. Until recently, most of my roles have required me to at least write about brands and value props though.

But, that’s not why I’m doing this.

During a recent conversation with my mentor at work, she offered some encouraging advice. It was the kind of advice that stops you in your tracks — the kind of words that you can literally feel. Paraphrasing here, but she basically said:

Your self-deprecating humor is funny, but if you’re not careful people will start believing your jokes. If you’re not careful, you will start believing them yourself.

The reason I felt this so much is because I’ve been lacking confidence all year. From imposter syndrome to negative self-talk, I’ve been compassionate with everyone except myself. My professional goal is to drive massive positive impact at scale by leading a global organization. Talent and experience won’t keep me from achieving that goal; a lack of confidence and intentional communication will.

In an effort to establish some radical accountability, I’m starting this blog and a corresponding podcast. My goal is to improve my self-confidence and communication skills so I can keep improving my leadership potential.
About Me — Randye S Spina. Everything you ever wanted to…
By: Randye S Spina
Tags: Introduction, About Me, Writers On Medium, Writing Life, Authors

For my writing blog, I chose the name Dragonfly Brain after reading an article about the author Phillip Tetlock and his study of integrators, those people who have a breadth of experience across subjects and industries which enables them to make connections and see things differently.

He likened this ability to that of a dragonfly’s eyes because dragonflies have tens of thousands of eye lenses, each with a different perspective, thereby aggregating to a greater understanding of their world.

In this way, he makes the case for the oft less-respected ‘generalists’ of life, who often outperform ‘specialists’ because their sensory receptors process and assimilate information in new and different ways of creating solutions others don’t see.

I can relate.

My professional life has lots of first-ever accomplishments. I’ve evolved from a corporate VP of Marketing and Product Development to a college professor, the founder of a marketing agency, then an author, now a writer, and on the team of a new consulting firm.

Next? Who knows? And isn’t that the best part?

For now, I’ve started MarketingZen — a small business marketing publication. This is the home for all the writing and content I created while running my agency for 13 years.

Professionally, I call myself a Multipotentialite, a phrase coined by Emilie Wapnick in her 2017 book, How to Be Everything. As she says, the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is rife with all kinds of smallness. Thankfully, I’ve broken out of that.

Before that, I’d read Barbara Sher’s 2006 book, Refuse to Choose! and I very much identified with being a Scanner because I am “hopelessly interested in everything.” And this explains my tsundoku … the relentless pursuit of buying books knowing I’ll never ever get to read them all.

This is how I am wired.

All these things — and more — hold great interest for me. This later-in-life blossoming into myself feels magical.

What do you get when you combine all this? A unique perspective even a dragonfly would appreciate.
I recommend reaching out Dr Mehmet Yildiz and joining the ILLUMINATION community on Slack. It’s a very supportive community for new and experienced writers alike. The editorial team will help you to…
By: April M. Hamm, She They
Tags: Writing, Writing Tips, Publishing, Writers On Medium, Illumination

I recommend reaching out Dr Mehmet Yildiz and joining the ILLUMINATION community on Slack. It’s a very supportive community for new and experienced writers alike.

The editorial team will help you to improve your writing and will publish your polished articles in ILLUMINATION or ILLUMINATION-Curated. They will also help distribute your published articles on social media and email.

If your writing “isn’t good enough,” they won’t just reject you and be done with you — they will explain the problems and go above and beyond to help you solve them.
Of course he writes well!
By: April M. Hamm, She They
Tags: Writing, Journalism, Prison Writing, Writers On Medium, Writers On Writing

Of course he writes well!

He’s a formally educated middle class white guy with money — he says so himself. He’s been published in reputable media outlets on various topics from music to politics.

He sounds like a professional storyteller because he is one.

(Don’t get me wrong — it’s Pulitzer worthy reporting, for sure! Just saying, it’s not like he spent that year in jail teaching himself to write).
Photographs-A Souvenir of life
By: Megha B.S
Tags: Writers Life, Writing, Writer, Writers On Medium, Writers Block

On nights when sleep seems like a far fetched reality and my internet connection a never ending loop, I find myself going back to the good old days that are forever etched within the heart, also kept safe aside as Photographs.

Photographs of us showing off all our white teeth, (though mine might be a little bit yellow and awkward ’cause of the braces; you always had better teeth)posing in whichever angle our face looks better and later having the leftover weird photographs in the form of stickers.

Gone are the days when we roamed around the house, sat at doorsteps,went through each other’s Instagram accounts, teased about all those high school romances and digged up all those foolishness we did back at school.

Gone are the days when we cursed each other’s wifi connection while video calling and later laughed our hearts out seeing all those screenshots.

I wonder what we actually had in our minds while posing to those pictures. Did we ever really know that we’d( or rather I’d) come to these kind of days where I get to look at the pictures to smile, than speak our hearts out like how you used to tease me for all the tantrums I throw myself into or how I used to give ears to all of your mini stories inside the actual stories and later wondered where did it actually start from.

All these come to me now in the form of waves tripping me off my feet and leaving me numb for whatever reason I still can’t find.

What have we actually got ourselves into? I don’t know, but for all I know is I’ve waited for a surprise message or an unexpected call. I might have acted like a total jerk at the beginning though you know that wouldn’t have lasted for more than a few minutes.

.

.

.

Or else all this might be in my head and mine only as you say. Who knows?
I recommend reaching out Dr Mehmet Yildiz and submitting some of your pieces to…
By: April M. Hamm, She They
Tags: Writing, Marketing, Writers On Medium, Marketing Strategies, Illumination

I recommend reaching out Dr Mehmet Yildiz and submitting some of your pieces to ILLUMINATION-Curated.

The ILLUMINATION community is very supportive with a strong (volunteer) editorial team. Individual writers are amplified in daily and weekly newsletters, and Dr. Yildiz uses software to ensure distribution across social media channels.

(Of course, ILLUMINATION writers who also self-promote and “cross-pollinate” with other writers tend to enjoy the most visibility).

Dr. Yildiz publishes marketing tips for writers here on Medium (in the ILLUMINATION publications, naturally), and writers can access more direct support on Slack.

Not that a few solo writers haven’t enjoyed (apparently) wild success here on Medium, but joining a supportive community like ILLUMINATION can greatly reduce the learning curve and help you find/reach your audience more quickly.

Good luck!

Update: Oops! Just realized you’re already an active contributor at ILLUMINATION and ILLUMINATION-Curated.
If It Was Good Enough for Shakespeare, It’s Good Enough for Me
By: Anthony Dezenzio
Tags: Writing, Writing Tips, Skill Development, Writers On Medium, Writers On Writing

Image by WikiImages from Pixabay

One of the major conflicts that creative writers struggle with is between their craft and profession. Quite honestly, a writer needs to earn money and would prefer to earn it from his profession.

Writers who work full time in order to support their families will find it difficult to make time to work on their craft. As a result, it leads them to be unmotivated and eventually giving up altogether.

So, how do you avoid burnout?

Well, for example, let’s take my profession. Besides writing books about stories I care the most about, I’ve also contributed to many other books and magazines, not necessarily in my field.

But never for a moment did I feel I was selling myself short. Let me make something clear: William Shakespeare, regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, wrote for money.

So, how can a writer maintain a mindful eye on their financial needs while still achieving their writing goals?

For example, as for my own situation, the answer is rather simple. My process begins with two sheets of blank paper; everything I want to write about is written on the first sheet. On the second sheet, I write everything down people would be willing to pay me for.

Are there stories I’d love to write about, but can’t get paid for? You bet! In general, I don’t write stories unless they are reasonably short. And sometimes there are projects that publishers might want me to write about that rarely motivate me. I have learned through experience that there are limits to my creative flexibility and therefore I turn those down.

And there are times when an opportunity arises when I’m not sure I want to take on that project. But what about if there’s money to be earned and yet the subject isn’t exactly something I have ever considered writing about? What would you do?

Every book, every project has its own limitations. Could you apply certain characters, put them into specific kinds of situations, and avoid certain topics? While that can limit your creativity, it can also challenge you to create something positive.

If William Shakespeare could take on any play, use any props, and create outstanding work, why couldn’t you as a writer do the same? Is there any reason why you should be committed to a lesser standard of proficiency and judgment? Absolutely not!

It’s important that you determine other ways to entertain yourself while writing. Develop your skills by considering a project you’ve never done before suitable for a wider audience. If you don’t stay ahead of this new generation of readers, it can mean the death of your profession.

But if you are willing to take on extra work, you’ll discover more opportunities will come your way. It’s an opportunity for writers to show off their extra skills, which is a plus to getting the type of jobs you’re interested in.

And if that way of thinking was good enough for William Shakespeare, then it’s good enough for me.
Try this one, eyes closed, let’s conjure a clock.
By: F I X P L S
Tags: Writers On Medium

Try this one, eyes closed, let’s conjure a clock. A tall one, wooden and worn. Now up, you float, why not, you can, lift off, with no need to stand. Go on to the clock, go floating on over, and even try flying inside. Check out the gears, the coils and oils, the metals and smells, and movements and noise, all turning aligned in time. Try adding some more, more bells and more whistles, more brass and more spires and chimes. No clock was so grand, no one would believe, except there inside of your mind. Complex inner scenes, so quickly conceived, on a whispering hint of a whim. While before us outside, in perpetual mist, a world only glimpsed at and guessed. Processed, projected, invented, pretended, imagined so well that we simply forget it. This beautiful vision we always will see, and never will share, and never will leave, is a world we believe into being. A world only seen on a mini mind screen, by a muddling, meddling, mammal. Green leaves found the sun long before there were eyes, before all direction, just spinning in time. No up and no down, all being or not, an ocean of elements churning. Colliding, collecting, combining, becoming, they went from a sum to a some. All floating on by, until pulled down inside, we capture and call it a smell. We grope and we grip and we pull and poke and we move and we mate and we swell. Our time becomes space, and our movement a memory, a map is a mind, and a mind is a place. A squint and a sliver of spectrum is glimpsed, and the pieces are patched, and colored and stitched. It fills up a view, reconstructed in kind, that completes what we think, is the world of outside. And the palace completed is now freely filled, with things never seen or detected. The collisions combined, and now we do find, a mind has its own pair of eyes. And we sit at a scale that’s exactly midway, between smallest of smalls and the biggest of bigs, so it seems only right, only fittingly fitting, to think of ourselves as a king in a kingdom. Alone on a throne in a play on a stage, in a concocted castle of infinite range. I glance at my glass, it sits well beyond, the spherical sketch of mind’s eye. It twinkles and sweats, and beckons and yet is a mere molecular set. A hand moves out blindly, through darkness until, by math and by magic connects, as a will. To grasp and to pull and to sip and to taste. A delight, back inside, of a self, what a place. A scene, of lush palms, and waters, and breeze. And voices, and movements, and echoes, and me.

- — F i x P l s — @fixplspoet — ©2020 — -
Stalled
By: James Crawford
Tags: Random, Writers On Medium, Writers On Writing, Writers Block, Thoughts

Should I give up and go to the next idea?

My thoughts and life caress me into a seductive amnesia

So I forget the previous river

And willing push forward without one reconsider
Let’s start with a brief introduction…shall we? 😉
By: Rebecca Udom
Tags: Writers Life, Newbie, Lifestyle, Stories, Writers On Medium

Let’s start with a brief introduction…shall we? 😉

My name’s Rebecca Udom. I’m basically a handful and one of those things that I love doing is writing. I’ve been thinking of a journal where I could post some fictions I’ve worked on and basically just groove about my life journey and I believe medium gives that platform.

Let’s start with the fact that I’ve had a ton going on because I’m tidying up my year so I’ve been dating procrastination for a while. Today, we broke up and I decided to give this a shot. This journey is going to be a mix of my stories and my novel series titled “Breathe”. It’s something I cooked up during the quarantine and I do hope you enjoy it while I use your reviews to make it better and finally complete it. I’m thinking weekly updates…

So, what do you say? We move? 🤷🏽‍♀️
I am honored to have a story included and to announce that THE WORDSMITH, a new book of short…
By: Nancy Lou Henderson
Tags: Short Story, Writers On Medium, Amazon, Writers On Writing, Authors

I am honored to have a story included and to announce that THE WORDSMITH, a new book of short stories about writers published by Sweetycat Press and Steve Carr is now available on Amazon.

Description:

Given the task of writing a short story where the main character is a writer, these authors let their imaginations soar. This collection explores plagiarism, the criminal underworld and wormholes. You’ll ride the rails with Cal and Petey and meet Curt’s platoon, visit Bitter Mountain, and a strange town at a sister’s funeral. Follow a psychic murder investigator, and find out the rewards of saying ‘nothing.’ Also in this collection, an immortal writes by the light of the moon, there is poignant young love, and a pretty girl who seems to have it all time and again. There are also stories about mysteriously written words, tiny people, a stroll across a bridge of memories, an authentic ghostwriter, a laptop named Skullcandy, wizards that sing, and a writer’s search for the soul, and more.

https://amzn.to/35RWLnG
It’s been fascinating watching as weed becomes destigmatized.
By: Aimée Gramblin
Tags: Marijuana, Sex, Reading, Music, Short Form

It’s been fascinating watching as weed becomes destigmatized.

I’m of the This is your brain (photograph of healthy brain); This is your brain on drugs (photo of a fried egg) generation.

Samantha Durbin the evolution of weed into common culture.
After hearing many stories and great reviews, I have watched the movie ‘Fiddler on the Roof.’
By: Suntonu Bhadra
Tags: Everything Short Form, Fiddler On The Roof, Film, Movies, Short Form

After hearing many stories and great reviews, I have watched the movie ‘Fiddler on the Roof.’

It was the movie adaptation of one of the longest running Broadway musical, based on ‘Tevye and His Daughters’ by Sholem Aleichem.

The musical monologues also included the conversational tone to depict the tale of a small village (mostly with Jew households) during the Tsar era of imperial Russia. The narrative by Tevye and the gradual journey captures the attention to surf till the end of the story.

Along with the historical aspects portrayed in the musical, I also loved the flow it carried throughout. Some of the parts of the movie will make you laugh; some will make you cry. In total, a great movie experience altogether.
It has been an absolute joy and honor to meet Bingz Huang in 2020.
By: Aimée Gramblin
Tags: Writing, Inspiration, Gentleness, Short Form, Friendship

It has been an absolute joy and honor to meet Bingz Huang in 2020. She has been an inspiration and avid supporter of mine this year, writing beautiful articles featuring my work.

Bingz runs two publications, Bingz Healing Light and Gentleness Ambassadors. She has also joined the editorial team of my publication, Age of Empathy.

In 2020, I was honored to edit Bingz’ book of poetry, From the Womb of Gentleness.

Bingz is a wonderful friend, space-holder, dancer, poet, writer, and ambassador of gentleness.

Thank you, Bingz, for the opportunities and support you’ve given me, for being generous with your time and spirit.

Cheers to welcoming a new year and continuing a wonderful friendship!
Will you?
By: Kevin Alexander
Tags: Motivation, Creativity, Inspiration, Questions, Short Form

Will you?

Will you do what is right?

Will you do it if it’s easier not to?

Will you do what is hard?

Will you if it’s easier not to?

Will you be a force for good?

Will you when it’s easier not to?

Will you keep going?

Will you when it’s easier not to?

Will you strive to get 1% better?

Will you if it’s easier not to?

Well?
Have you ever thought why people with minimalist lifestyle are also the happiest people on earth?
By: Kristina Segarra
Tags: Self Improvement, Productivity, Mental Well Being, Mental Health, Short Form

Have you ever thought why people with minimalist lifestyle are also the happiest people on earth? There is something about minimalism that makes them happy. The big perk of minimalism is clutter-free life.

Research has shown that clutter can negatively affect your productivity, increase stress, and decrease your mood.

If you want to be more productive and efficient in your work, make sure you get rid of physical clutter in your life.

Give the New Year a great start by decluttering your life. It will help you focus on what’s important and boost your mental well-being.

Here’s how you can do it in three easy ways.
Today I met a homeless Vietnam veteran and it reminded me to be thankful for everything I have.
By: Kim Zuch
Tags: Everything Short Form, Everyone Has A Story, Grateful, Life Lessons, Short Form

Today I met a homeless Vietnam veteran and he reminded me to be thankful for everything I have.

My husband and I both work full time and make decent money, but there are times it feels like that’s not good enough. Student loans and other bills are frustrating at times.

This afternoon I met an older man who was trying to stay in a campground but didn’t have the $10 for the campsite. He also didn’t have money for gas to drive much further down the road because his check doesn’t arrive until January first.

I spent a few minutes visiting with him and got his story. He doesn’t consider himself destitute, but he isn’t able to work because of how Agent Orange affected his body.

We have a house, vehicles, phones, jobs, and a small business that almost pays for itself. I realized I have nothing to complain about.
I don’t think in word counts.
By: Tina L. Smith
Tags: Writing, Freelancing, Quality Over Quantity, Self, Short Form

I don’t think in word counts. I’m stymied when someone posts how many words they wrote as an accomplishment or when a client throws out a word count for me to bid on an editing job.

It just doesn’t compute for me on any level. Words are not chattel. Words are not units of measure. Words are tools — the basic elements one uses to craft. Who cares if it takes 100 words or 500? Who exactly is counting…and why?

Time I understand. When bidding jobs, I determine how much time it takes because clients are paying for my time and expertise — not anything else.

If I spend two hours writing a short piece or a long piece, it’s my level of investment that matters, not the number of words produced. I could spit out a lot of random words in two hours.

Crafting something meaningful is the goal. And you?
Hi, my name is Lori and I am addicted to True Crime.
By: Ravyne Hawke
Tags: This Happened To Me, Obsessions, True Crime, Short Form, Serial Killers

Hi, my name is Lori and I am addicted to True Crime. I don’t know exactly when I became addicted. Much like all of my addictions, the love of True Crime just seeped into me and captivated my full attention.

It could be from taking a Criminal Justice course at a local community college back in the mid-80s. Back then, I could only satisfy my addiction from newspaper articles and books about serial killers. And then Unsolved Mysteries came on the air in 1987. I was instantly hooked.

Since the late 80s, there has been an explosion of True Crime shows on television, with an ever increasing audience. I know I am not alone in this obsession.

Why am I so addicted? I am curious about human behavior and I guess I am trying to figure out what makes people turn into monsters. Here is my latest obsession:
Setting goals without self-discipline is like attempting to run a marathon with no prior training.
By: Kristina Segarra
Tags: Self Improvement, Enterpreneurship, Life Lessons, Personal Development, Short Form

Setting goals without self-discipline is like attempting to run a marathon with no prior training.

Discipline is an essential component of success. To achieve anything in life, you need to be disciplined.

To be successful, you need to put consistent efforts into your work. It involves full control over what you do. The more in control you are over your behaviors and actions, the more disciplined you will be.

To achieve discipline takes time, but you can do it if you take the right steps.

For tips on how to achieve self-discipline, read this article below.
Religion takes many forms.
By: Jm Miana
Tags: Self Improvement, Philosophy, Spirituality, Psychology, Short Form

Religion takes many forms.

I’ve been thinking. We believe we are more advanced than before.

Nowadays, we look at the past and think, “that was ages ago. We’re smarter now.”

But religion is not about smarts, it is about emotions. It promises what we’ve been looking for for decades.

A meaning to our existence and a comfortable answer to the old questions instead of the challenge of keeping looking for the truth.

I’m afraid the human being is far away from being free yet.

This post is not supposed to be a pessimistic message, but a way to raise awareness of our thoughts.

It’s not even against religion, but against following any religion without being conscious.
Cancel Culture is backlashing hard against Amber Heard.
By: Jm Miana
Tags: Feminism, Society, Johnny Depp, Justice, Short Form

Cancel Culture is backlashing hard against Amber Heard.

Warner Bros. is rumored to be rewriting the plot for Aquaman just in case they have to lay-off the actress after the tons of complaints they have received from Johnny Depp fans.

This is the downside of supporting this kind of action, it can easily turn against you and bite you in the ass. As the old saying says,

“You reap what you sow”

It also shows how big corporations are more worried about money than about making justice. To them, it doesn’t matter if something is right or wrong, but if they can commercialize it. They are not affected by morals.

It doesn’t matter if it’s J.K. Rowling, Johnny Depp, or Amber Heard, but the money they can make from them.
Life in a second
By: Gorana B
Tags: Short Read, Shortform Stories, Short, Short Form, Self Assessment

Life in a second

Will you have something to see in that second when life flashes in front of your eyes?

What will it be?

Did you accomplish everything you wanted?

Did you accomplish everything they wanted you to accomplish?

Did you live your life like you wanted?

Or how they wanted you ti live it?

Once more some many questions I don’t have answers to.
Introducing Shortform (燒賣s) to The Brain is a Noodle!
By: Lucy Dan 蛋小姐, She Her 她
Tags: Tbin, Shortform, Shumai

Introducing Shortform (燒賣s) to The Brain is a Noodle! Throughout this journey of creating a publication that connects with others, I’ve found that one format that’s really worked is to keep everything bite-sized.

While poetry is served up like a well-spun, intricately decorated bowl of piping hot noodles, shortform pieces that are all the rage now on Medium are like shumai (燒賣s) to me: the classic dim sum. They’re just like shortforms: portable, one-bite, baring all without being hidden behind.

I want to make space for the fun shortforms, those shower thoughts you have like “what if I peeled a lemon” experience in <150 words.
Let this AI trash your music taste — How bad is your Spotify? “Your Spotify was neverland-ranch-mom-and-dads-date-night-get-a-bucket-and-a-mop bad.” I let this AI from The Pudding judge my Spotify…
By: Judith Valentijn
Tags: AI, Spotify, Artificial Intelligence, Music, Short Form

Photo by C D-X on Unsplash

Let this AI trash your music taste — How bad is your Spotify?

“Your Spotify was neverland-ranch-mom-and-dads-date-night-get-a-bucket-and-a-mop bad.”

I let this AI from The Pudding judge my Spotify. The results were insulting, hilarious, and true.

Based on your listening habits, I can also tell your Spotify was…

> Still-humming-despacito bad

> Mommys-meditating bad

> Instagram-your-tent-at-sunset bad

> Music-to-stalk-boys-to bad

I regret nothing.

Want to get judged too? Check out How bad is your Spotify here and drop your results in the comments.
Sometimes, not writing to publish for a few days can be a good approach to writing.
By: Jm Miana
Tags: Writing, Mindfulness, Creativity, Mental Health, Short Form

Sometimes, not writing to publish for a few days can be a good approach to writing.

Forget the typical advice of publishing every day. What works for some of us doesn’t have to work for some others; it is part of human psychology’s beauty.

I have been relaxing for some days, and there’s a possibility that I’ll keep doing it for a few more. After all, it has been a difficult year, and feeling tired is completely normal at this time.

Because even if years are a human invention, they represent a psychological barrier, and that makes us perceive them even more tiring than they are. Add COVID and crisis, and you have the perfect mix for mental burnout.

So, be gentle with yourselves, spend the holidays with your families, meditate and practice conscious breathing.

The best solution for burnout is cooldown.
An X-mas “Miracle” 2020 Christmas Day, downtown New York. Jesus returns. He appears on the corner of a busy intersection. Across the street he spies a homeless man hacking away as Covid 19 ravages…
By: Steve B Howard
Tags: Short Shots City, Christmas, Humor, Short Short Story, Short Form

An X-mas “Miracle” 2020



Christmas Day, downtown New York. Jesus returns. He appears on the corner of a busy intersection. Across the street he spies a homeless man hacking away as Covid 19 ravages his body. Stretching his arms wide, Jesus prepares to go to the man’s aid, to once again heal the sick as he once did in the Holy Lands so long ago.



He steps into the street confidently. But being from 4 BCE, Jesus having absolutely no understanding of modern roads, cars, ect, steps out into the busy intersection, and is promptly run over by a bus.



The End. Merry Saturnalia!
Happy Howlidays, Friends!
By: Aimée Gramblin
Tags: Writing, Books, Relationships, Reading, Short Form

Happy Howlidays, Friends! If you celebrate Christmas, I hope you’re having a merry one. If you celebrate other holidays, I hope those have been cheery and bright. If holidays aren’t your jam, I hope you’re having a wonderful Friday/Saturday, depending on where in the world you are!

I’m going to continue publishing weekly a little short list of my articles for the week in case you missed anything.
10 rules of productivity
By: Gorana B
Tags: Short Read, Short Form, Productivity, Productivity Tips, Productivity Hacks

Photo by krisna iv on Unsplash

1. Tidy up your workspace

No way you can be productive while your desk is messy.

2. Set priorities and make a list

Because if you don’t do that, you’ll be lost

3. Do the most important first

Duh, you will obviously do that.

4. Stop multitasking

Seriously, stop! Multitasking is not productive, no matter what some people claim.

5. Put your phone on silent mode

You know you will grab it as soon as you hear a notification.

6. Delegate

If there is something you hate to do or is not as important but there is someone else who can do it, delegate that.

7. Take a break and go for a walk

There is nothing better than some fresh air and a break.

8. Split big stuff into a bunch of smaller ones

It is easier to look at a task when it’s broken down.

9. Set a deadline

When you set a deadline for yourself it will be easier to finish a task because you will have some kind of timeframe in mind.

10. Hydrate

You won’t be able to function properly if you are not hydrated.
Cleaning the house, doing dishes, folding laundry, and taking out the garbage before work last…
By: Kim Zuch
Tags: Future Self, Everything Short Form, Future Me, Life, Short Form

Cleaning the house, doing dishes, folding laundry, and taking out the garbage before work last week felt like I was wasting my time. After work though, I appreciated the clean house.

How many of us are excited to clean the house? How about doing yard work? Taking a few minutes to prepare the coffee pot before going to bed?

I’m not excited about doing any of those things, but “future me” is always grateful that I took the time.

My vision board has a quote that I found in a magazine:

“Now is the time to do something your future self (and the world) will thank you for.”

In the morning, I never regret the time I took to set the coffee pot. In the evening I never regret the few minutes it took to make my bed and put clothes away.
“Is Covid-19 Nature’s calculated way of slowing down the recklessness of our species?
By: Aimée Gramblin
Tags: Slowliving, Covid 19, Ideas, Psychology, Short Form

“Is Covid-19 Nature’s calculated way of slowing down the recklessness of our species? We have overpopulated the planet. We create unsustainable living conditions for future generations. Humans can rationalize, think, and process, but are we really smarter than Nature, herself?”— excerpt from linked article.

In November, I wrote an article exploring the effects Covid19 will ultimately have on the human psyche — the global collective.

I posit that humanity has been given a timeout, sent to our respective corners, to reflect, rethink, and pivot when possible.

Do you think this could be a silver lining to the global pandemic we’re currently living through?

In 2020, I’ve found joy and ambition like I’ve never had before. What positive changes have you experienced in 2020?