Tag Archives: Montclair Write Group

Now and Then: What does your laptop say about you?

A recent Montclair Write Group writing prompt got me thinking: Now and Then. I’ve been thinking about the little things in life these days. Nothing deep or philosophical, no life-altering moments where the world comes into crisp focus. I’ve been … Continue reading

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You will find inspiration in these 13 writing books

It’s been a month now, and this chat still stirs me. Tuesday Twitter #writestuff started the weekly chat with Question 1: What’s your favorite book about writing (fiction or nonfiction?) • Tiffany Arnold mentioned On Writing by Stephen King. • … Continue reading

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Yes, you are finished writing your book

One of the best phrases a writer can say is: Move On. I don’t mean that in a crazed I-can’t-do-this-I’m-a-terrible-writer discouraged way. Those words are an affirmation of your hard work and progress and completion. “What do you know about … Continue reading

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Questions from a fearful writer

My Montclair Memoir1 group Zoomed yesterday, and a comment at the end tugged me. One of the members–I’ll call him John–is, of course, writing a memoir. The piece John shared yesterday was shorter than usual. The snippets we all share … Continue reading

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Three techniques to move your exciting memoir forward

Have you ever felt that “ah-ha!”moment of satisfaction when a word or phrase clicks with your writing style like mine did today? Today, my MWG Memoir1 group met via Zoom for our bimonthly critique.  We use the same critique format … Continue reading

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Playing Games with Haiku Horizons #245

I have missed writing haiku. Every Tuesday at my Montclair Writers Support Group, each person introduces themselves and talks about writing struggles and goals. I tweak my intro every week, but it always contains “award-winning writer,” “author,” “memoir,” blah blah … Continue reading

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Success in writing: Breakdown of #ROW80 Round 4 goals, Part 1 of 3

“All great achievements require time.”~Maya Angelou, American poet  Round 4 goals.  Writing, reading, playing and etc, Today I’m focusing on my writing.  This is how I plan to break down and work on these goals, in no particular order: WRITING: … Continue reading

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An almost-birthday writing reflection of #ROW80 this #WeekendCoffeeShare

If we were having coffee…. I’m glad you could stop in. This little Starbucks, as you know, is the place we normally say faretheewell to my in-laws before our 12-hour drive back to Michigan. Now that we’re 2 hours away … Continue reading

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Sharing the most interesting writing idea this #WeekendCoffeeShare

If we were having coffee…. I’m glad you could meet us here in Cranford. Today is my day for a Celebratory Frappuccino. I caught another Moltres and my first Tyranitar. I had poor luck yesterday while my husband rocked the … Continue reading

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Charged up and critique comments this #WeekendCoffeeShare

If we were having coffee…. Hey, how are you? Glad you could join me here at Den 10. The Bookstore Man is here is here again, sipping some tea, I think. Why I’m drinking a Café Vanilla Frappuccino in here, … Continue reading

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A schedule to publish two stories in one month

“A good beginning makes a good end.”~Louis L’Amour, American author I can do three things at once; at least, I used to. Reflecting on this past Weekend Coffee Share post, my writing and editing process reminded me of Comm 242 … Continue reading

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Writing goals are achievable through #ROW80

“Art is the triumph over chaos.”~John Cheever, American writer It has taken me, what, 3 years to finally believe that I can do this. Do what?  Everything. Okay, maybe not everything, like walking through a pit of snakes, but my … Continue reading

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A #WeekendCoffeeShare with exciting editing advice

If we were having coffee… Hey there. Glad you could meet here. I know, no exciting, newly-discovered coffee shop, just my standard fallback here on Route 22. The texture of the Frappuccinos is hit or miss, sometimes not thick enough … Continue reading

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Contradictory critiques: what do you believe?

“It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.”~Herman Melville, American author Recent feedback for my Star trek MomMemoir is full of inconsistent whimsy. I gave myself permission to do 4 edits on my short story of … Continue reading

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Let’s talk Star Trek, #ROW80 and writing tips

“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”~Confucius, Chinese philosopher Today’s memoir writing tip: Don’t begin with backstory. Perfect advice as I rewrite my Star Trek MomMemoir. The annual Las Vegas Star Trek convention begins in two weeks, … Continue reading

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Pigeon poop and writing prompts

“All wealth is the product of labor,”~John Locke, English philosopher Yesterday, I wrote about pigeon poop and people loved it. That’s the beauty of free write exercises: you have no idea what will spew from your pen. The Montclair Write … Continue reading

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Writing goals as #ROW80 Round 3 begins

“Only I can change my life; no one can do it for me.”~Carol Burnett, American actress This Round 3 is all about writing focus and scheduling. I was late to my Memoir2 group last week, so I couldn’t test my … Continue reading

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A #WeekendCoffeeShare in writing mode and in-laws

If we were having coffee…. Hey, glad you could join me here outside Philly. Hope you didn’t hit too much holiday traffic. It’s a cozy Starbucks, isn’t it? I’m chillin’ with a Café Vanilla Frapp. The baristas know how to … Continue reading

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Do you know how to critique a writer’s writing?

“You must not confuse being good with being liked.”~Paul Arden, American author Tomorrow, Wednesday, is my second official Memoir2 meeting, and apparently I don’t know how to critique. By official, I mean the second meeting where I present my work … Continue reading

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A writing #WeekendCoffeeShare

If we were having coffee… Hey, I’m glad you could make it to Starbucks. Hope the traffic on Rt. 22 wasn’t bad. Sit down, let’s chat. I’m not sure if my Frappuccino is a Celebratory Frappuccino or not. We just … Continue reading

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