#YouCanWrite

Who’s Your Neighbor?

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I’m on vacation in Baja California right now and am loving the desert flora and fauna. The tropical plants are so different from what we have in the Pacific Northwest, U.S. and the cohabitation of desert and tropical plants is amazing to me.

One of the plants I am enjoying is the saguaro cactus. They are everywhere here. When we drive down the road, it is as if we are driving through a forest of them. There are vines with bright pink or magenta flowers climbing the saguaro … it’s truly beautiful.

One of the saguaro near the house we are staying at is the home of an iguana. Mr. Iguana loves to sit in his doorway and watch everyone go by. It has been fun to get to know this little neighbor and the other animal neighbors near this home.

What about the neighbors near you? Are there chipmunks, or rabbits or other animal neighbors? For today’s free writing, think about your animal neighbors and include them in what you write.

Let your creativity flow and have fun! Ready … set … write!

What Inspires You?

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Four pictures from nature that inspire me. A mirror lake with a swamped boat on a cold day, a wooden bridge on a woodland path, a sunset over sea stacks on the ocean, and a trillium blooming in spring.

What inspires you? A sunset? A path that disappears into the unknown? A misty, foggy day at the ocean?

I find that I am inspired by many things, but as you may be able to tell, nature in some shape or form is my biggest source of inspiration (at least in the “awe” category of inspiration).

What about you? Is nature the driving force of your inspiration? Or is it something else entirely?

Think about it for a minute, then set your timer and ready … set … write!

How do you laugh?

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8 flower varieties with quote "The Earth laughs in flowers." by Ralph Waldo Emmerson

A famous quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson is “The Earth laughs in flowers.” When I see a field of daisies or sunflowers, this certainly seems to be the case.

Other flowers seem more stately and elegant rather than playful and laughing. Nevertheless, they make me smile.

But that leads me to our question for the day. How do you laugh? Is it a great big belly-laugh, or more of a gentle, rolling chuckle? Or something else entirely?

Take a few minutes to think about it and then set your timer and Ready … Set … Write!

Life’s Lemons

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Do you know the saying “When life gives you Lemons, make lemonade?”

I have to say that is one saying that I love and hate all at once.

As an optimist, I totally want to make the best of any situation, but as a realist – particularly when I am the one facing some lemons, I just really want to throw them … and maybe stomp on them … and maybe throw a fit like a three year old.

What about you? Do you like orndislike the saying? Do you make lemonade when life gives you lemons?

Let me know in the comments if you’d like to share, then set your timer and ready … set … write!

Writers Write!

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In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear talks about small changes that have a big impact over time. For instance, one day of intense exercise is not going to make you fit, but consistent exercise will.

In fact, he promotes the idea of starting small so that the habit is easier to form.

This idea is why I have chosen 5 minutes for the preferred time to free write from these prompts. But if you need to do less, that’s ok too.

In fact, James Clear also said in a podcast with Brene Brown … “Writing a sentence a day may not finish your novel, but it is casting a vote every day that you are a writer.

What do you think? Are you writing something every day … even if it is just a sentence? Or 5 out of 7?

Today’s prompt is to write about your plan for writing daily – even if it is just a sentence – and giving yourself the “I am a writer vote” every time.

Okay, here we go. Set your timer and ready … set … write!

Pizza!!!

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I love a good veggie pizza, but I do NOT like pineapple (or any fruit for that matter) on it. I love pineapple, just not on my pizza.

My husband on the other hand loves pineapple on his pizza.

So, we typically end up with a half and half pizza which satisfies both of our taste buds.

What about you? Do you like fruit (in this case pineapple) on your pizza? It seems that people either love it or hate it. Does that sound like you?

What else do you like on your pizza? Or is it possible you don’t like pizza?

Write about it for today’s 5 min free write- or anything else you want to write about.

Set your timer and ready … set … write!

Through the Windshield

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There are times when a view just makes you gasp and want to quickly save the sight for those times when memory fails.

That was the case as I came around a corner and was faced with the view in today’s featured photo.

We travel this road several times a year, but since it is on the west side of the Cascade Mountain Range, it is often shrouded in clouds … but not on this day.

The sight was fleeting and I could not stop to take a proper photo. So … I quickly snapped a shot through the windshield. If you look close enough, you can even see a smudge of dirt.

But it was worth it to be able to save this view of the mountain peeking through the mist. I would definitely take the shot again – though I should try to make sure I have a clean windshield at all times. 😉

What about you? Do you ever find yourself snapping pictures through the windshield because it’s just too beautiful to miss? Or do you ever wish you had?

Today’s 5 min free write is the time for you to write about views caught or missed (or whatever else strikes your fancy).

So set your timer and ready … set … write!

Cinco de Mayo

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On May 5, 1862, an outnumbered and out gunned Mexican Army fought and won a battle against the French invading army.

Though not the end of the war, the Mexican forces fought valiantly to defend their homeland from foreign rule.

Today, many celebrate this day as a time to remember and enjoy Mexican culture and food.

What about you? Do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? If so, what does it mean to you?

Set your timers and ready … set … write!

Time to Plant Flowers

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It’s spring and time for planting.

I like planting flowers, but unfortunately for me I don’t have a very green thumb, so need very hardy ones.

What types of flowers do you like to plant? Do you have a green thumb? Or are you like me and need help with everything but the weeds?

Feel free to let me know in the comments. Then get ready to write about what you like to plant.

Set you timer and ready … set … write!

April Flowers

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These are flowers from my garden. Some are in full bloom … Rock cress, phlox, lilac and lobelia … while others are budding, preparing for their time of full beauty.

That makes me think of people with potential just waiting to be developed and discovered. Writing practice is one way to develop your writing potential so that when opportunity comes your way, you will be ready to accept it and “burst into full bloom.”

So for today’s writing practice, consider what you are doing to prepare yourself for upcoming opportunities, then write about it.

Are you ready? Set your timer and ready … set … write!