New Picture Prompt

I love this photo. I wish I could take credit for it, but I found it on the web. Let it inspire you to write a poem, essay, short story...whatever. If you'd like, post some comments about the picture; give us an idea of the thoughts it provokes. You might help some other writers along, or get some ideas from their replies.

If you have some prompt ideas you'd like to share, let me know. You can post it in the comments, or go to our profile page and send an email.

Happy Writing!

Birthday Wishes

Today is group member Jack R. Pyle's birthday.

Wish him a happy birthday by checking out some of his books on his website: http://pylereesebooks.tripod.com/index.html.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACK!

Group Member Loses Faithful Friend/Family Member

(Chrissy McVay's author photo)

About a year ago, group member Chrissy McVay was told her dog Angel Michelle (in photo above) had bone cancer and wasn't expected to make it past Christmas. With the help of their vet, and the hard work of the McVays, Angel beat the odds. They cooked special food for her, giving her the people food she probably spent most of her life begging for anyway. And for nearly a year, Angel practically thrived. (You can read an essay Chrissy wrote here: http://www.angelanimals.net/stories020.html)

(Angel and her sister as puppies)

I received an email from Chrissy this afternoon saying they'd finally had to let Angel go. The decision was basically taken out of their hands. It seems she was running down the hall (she never stopped running) and broke her shoulder. The vet says her bones had just gotten too weak and couldn't hold her any longer.

(Angel hamming for the camera)

Chrissy and her family have many years of wonderful memories to fall back on. With that, and the help of their other dog Sasha, they'll keep a warm space in their hearts especially for their Angel Michelle.

(My favorite picture of the puppy that was Angel)

Angel has gone on to the Rainbow Bridge, but her essence remains here in the hearts of her family.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.

... Author unknown...

Inspiration Everywhere

(View from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fuller in Little Switzerland)

Looking for some writing inspiration? Look around you. Whether you live in the mountains, the city, flatlands....it doesn't matter. There is inspiration everywhere. You can write a poem about apartment living, and the noisy neighbors. Or maybe an essay about the horses who reside in the field next to your house. How about a short story about the lovable town drunk who spends every Friday night in the local jail? The world around you is a colorful tapestry. Open up your imagination and let the ideas flow.

(Flowers and butterflies on the Little Switzerland homestead of Chrissy and Tony McVay)

Looking around you...at where you are and where you've been...is the best way to jump-start your imagination.

Websites

Today I'm going to highlight some websites that may be of interest to writers out there.

*http://www.writing.com/: "Writing.Com is the online community for writers and readers of all interests and skill levels. Whether you're an enthusiastic, creative writer looking for the perfect place to store and display your writing online or a casual reader searching for a good story, Writing.Com is the website for you!
With 633,131 members and 1,348,206 literary items created since inception,this community is bursting with activities, inspiration and creativity."

*http://www.writing.org/: "Writing.org offers how-to articles for writers (and especially for new writers). The goal is to help you break into the writing business and avoid being victimized by scam artists."

*http://www.6ftferrets.com/: (This is one of my very favorites.) "Writing can be a lonely business—unless, of course, you're in a writers' group.The 6' Ferret Writers' Group has developed this web site to provide tips for those of you interested in setting up your own groups, as well as ideas for exercises and events for existing groups."

Check out all these sites, and let me know if you have others we should check out.

Jack Pyle and Taylor Reese

Jack Pyle and Taylor Reese are two of our most prolific authors. Together, they have written books on the use of the almanac in gardening and every day life.

These books come in handy, especially if you have tried to use an almanac of any kind, and just can't seem to understand it. They take those almanac lessons and put them in plain English.

Jack Pyle's solo works run the gambit from a young-adult mystery to love stories to short story collections.

Taylor Reese has published books of poetry, humor and even his memoirs.

Jack and Taylor's books can be found on Amazon.com as well as on their website at http://pylereesebooks.tripod.com/index.html.

Writing Prompt #1

OK, today I am posting a writing prompt. For those of you who are new to this kind of thing, a writing prompt is a tool to get you started, basically. It doesn't matter what you write either; poetry, essays, short stories, etc. The prompt works for any of it. Also, a prompt can be a word, a phrase, a photo...most anything. For our first blog prompt, I am going to use a couple photos I found on the net.

Here are the first two photo prompts. Take a look and see what kind of ideas start to form. Use either picture, or both if you'd like. Maybe they bring to mind a story from your childhood. Run with it. Maybe they form the basis for one or two poems. Go for it.


One rule: Have fun with it.

Another Book Recommendation

Group member Chrissy McVay has a big hit with her first book Souls of the North Wind. It has been described as "reminiscent of Jack London’s Call of the Wild" and is hailed as not only entertaining but educational as well. It is the adventure of two young inuit boys crossing the dangerous tundra, a mythical beast in hot pursuit. You've got to read this book.

Chrissy is working on a sequel to Souls of the North Wind. More information on her writing can be found at http://www.authorsden.com/chrissykmcvay.

Starting Over Again

Hi. I'm Susan and I run the Mayland Writers' Group.

I started this blog months back, and then gave it up when it didn't seem there was much interest from the group. But, here I am again. I will try to keep it going this time with updates from the group, hightlights of members' published works, writing prompts/ideas, etc.

This time around, I want to showcase member Walter Rein's first book Wonderful Wawa's Words of Wisdom. This book is both funny and thought provoking. You know you are in for an interesting read when at the beginning you see a warning: WARNING: The Believer General has determined that reading this book could be harmful to your faith. You can read a summary and/or purchase the book at Amazon.com and other online bookstores. It's a great read and I look forward to more from Walter's so very creative mind.