Freely Written

13/11/2024

Ep. 128 - Pumpkins - A quiet man in a quiet town thinks about pumpkins 🎃

Note: this is a cozy, no-conflict story! What? You think good story needs conflict? Not this week! 😊

In today's story, Pumpkins, a quiet man in a quiet town thinks about pumpkinsToday's prompt came up as a way to hold on to the fall season before the winter holidays take over. It turned into a cozy story, opting for comfort and community over the...

30/10/2024

Ep. 127 - Black Cat - A coven meets to discuss current events 🐈‍⬛

In today's story, Black Cat, a coven gathers to discuss current eventsToday's prompt was loosely inspired by Halloween and the fall season, which is often rushed through on our way to the winter holidays. If you enjoy today's story, plea...

18/10/2024

Ep. 126 - Local News - Joyce helps her grandson with his homework

Listen at the link below or with your favorite podcast app!

In today's story, Local News, Joyce helps her grandson with his homework Today's prompt was a local news crew spotted at a scenic overlook during a recent vacation. As always, this story was written from the prompt, with no planning and very littl...

18/10/2024

Ep. 125 - Is That Me? - a scientist takes an unforgettable step in her career

Thanks to my friend Gretchen for this writing prompt! Check out her yoga and meditation services at Peace in the Pause with Gretchen Schutte 💜

In today's story, Is That Me?, a scientist takes an unforgettable step in her career.  Today's prompt came up during a conversation with my friend Gretchen Schutte. You can connect with Gretchen about yoga and meditation on her website: https...

18/10/2024

Commentary on our September stories!

Sorry, I've fallen behind on sharing recent blog posts and podcast stories here. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to get new stories as soon as they are released! And check my blog for commentary at the end of each month. 😊

Author commentary on the short stories featured on my Freely Written podcast in September 2024: Labor of Love and Wait For It

02/10/2024

Ep. 124 - Wait For It - Two women chat on a bus.

This prompt came up while thinking about the virtue of patience, and the story it inspired wandered into the realm of parenting.

In today's story, Wait For It, two women chat on a bus.  Today's prompt came up while thinking about the patience it takes for situations--and people--to grow and change.  As always, this story was written from the prompt, with no planni...

04/09/2024

Ep. 123 - Labor of Love - Love reflects on her day's work, including a challenging repair call ❤️‍🩹

In today's story, Labor of Love, Love reflects on her day's work, including a challenging repair call. Today's prompt came from simple word association as it was written on Labor Day. Labor Day... Labor of Love. As always, this story was...

21/08/2024

Ep. 122 - Migraine - a debilitating migraine stirs a stew of thoughts and emotions 💜

Note: Today's prompt was inspired by a recent migraine. Being knocked down by a migraine can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. If you struggle with migraines or other health issues, please know that you are not alone. Seek help from friends, doctors, and support groups.

In today's story, Migraine, a debilitating migraine stirs a stew of thoughts and emotionsToday's prompt was inspired by a recent migraine. Being knocked down by a migraine can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. If you struggle with migrai...

08/08/2024

Ep. 121 - Condesplaining - A new arrival gets a lesson on small town rules.

Yep, this prompt is a made-up word. The story it prompted is rather wobbly, which sometimes happens with no planning or editing 🤷‍♀️

In today's story, Condesplaining, a new arrival gets a lesson on small town rulesToday's prompt is a made-up word. It's essentially a gender-neutral version of "mainsplaining." In other words, it describes the act of explaining something without r...

01/08/2024

Commentary on the stories shared in July: City Life and Widgets

Some quick behind the podcast thoughts. Thanks for reading, thanks for listening!

Author commentary on the short stories featured on my Freely Written podcast in July 2024: City Life and Widgets

24/07/2024

Ep. 120 - Widgets - A writer wanders through a wobbly chat about whatchamacallits

In today's story, Widgets, a writer wanders through a wobbly chat about whatchamacallitsToday's prompt had no obvious inspiration. It just came to me in a flash while wondering what prompt to use. If you have a prompt suggestion, let me know and I...

10/07/2024

Ep. 119 - City Life - Small town kids head to a big city summer camp 🏙

In today's story, City Life, some small town kids head to a big city summer campToday's prompt was inspired by some upcoming vacation plans. While I sometimes like to head to the beach or mountains, I also need a few city trips throughout the year...

07/07/2024

With all the 4th of July holiday hoopla, I forgot to share commentary on June's Freely Written stories. Oops! The commentary is there though, if you'd like to check it out. And if you haven't listened to June's stories, links are in the post! 🙂

Hope you had a happy, healthy 4th of July! ❤️🤍💙

Author commentary on the stories featured on my Freely Written podcast in June 2024: Never Say Never and Think Tank

26/06/2024

Ep. 118 - Think Tank - A group of researchers consider the future

In today's story, Think Tank, what happens when a group of researchers consider the future?Today's prompt came up when I was telling Peter a story about how my mom used to say that I should be put in a think tank someday--which prompted some weird...

12/06/2024

Ep. 117 - Never Say Never - a couple writes their wedding vows 💕

In today's story, Never Say Never, a couple tries to write their wedding vows Today's prompt was inspired by a book on my shelf called Never, Never Quit by Karen Hallion (great book!). This story has nothing to do with that book, but the title mad...

10/06/2024

Starting this week, new stories will release on Wednesdays instead of Tuesdays. New stories will still drop every other week, and you can listen to past stories in any order. Thanks for listening! 🙂

31/05/2024

Commentary on our May stories! A few behind the podcast thoughts on Ep. 115, Birds of a Feather, and Ep. 116, Reusable Straws. 😊 Two stories I really enjoyed writing. One about birds at a new feeder and one exploring the existential thoughts of drinking straws. 🐦🥤

Links to both of the stories are in this blog post, so you can easily listen before reading!

Author commentary on the stories featured on my Freely Written podcast in May 2024: Birds of a Feather and Reusable Straws

28/05/2024

Ep. 116 - Reusable Straws — A gathering of drinking straws gives way to deeper meaning 🥤😁

As always, this story was written with no planning or editing, but I really like the way it wandered to a surprising ending 💕

In today's story, Reusable Straws, a gathering of drinking straws gives way to deeper meaning. Today's prompt was inspired by a reusable straw sitting on my desk. I didn't expect such a mundane item would lead where it did, but I really like the s...