Freely Written

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...

14/05/2024

Ep. 115 - Birds of a Feather - A house finch and two mourning doves discuss the new bird feeder in town 🐦🐤🐦

In today's story, Birds of a Feather, a house finch and two mourning doves discuss the new bird feeder in townToday's prompt was inspired by my new smart bird feeder. Watching birds is surprisingly entertaining. Especially when it leads to a fun l...

06/05/2024

Some behind the podcast commentary on the stories in April! 😁 Including the special "sleep edition" story! 😴

Author commentary on stories featured on my Freely Written podcast in March 2024: Under Where and Cake. At the end of each month, I’ll shed some light on my writing adventures. If you’re new to Freely Written, this podcast offers very short stories written from a chosen prompt with no planning a...

30/04/2024

Ep. 114 - Sleep Edition: Soft Summer Rain - Sarah and Mister Mittens doze on a covered porch

Trying something new! A special sleepy story that may lull you into a gentle nap or a goodnight's sleep. 😴 More typical episodes will resume next time, but if this sleepy story is well received, I may write some more from time to time 😊

Special Sleep Edition: Today's story, Soft Summer Rain, is a sleepy story that may lull you into a gentle nap or a goodnight's sleep. Today's prompt was inspired by a rainy local authors' event and the drowsiness that came after a day of selling m...

17/04/2024

Ep. 113 - Infinity Plus One - Two sisters argue over who loves cinnamon toast the most. ♾️

Note: I’m not a mathematician 😆

In today's story, Infinity Plus One, two sisters argue over who loves cinnamon toast the most. Today's prompt was loosely chosen based on my use of an infinity strap during a virtual yoga class. It's one of my favorite yoga props, a short cotton s...

02/04/2024

Ep. 112 - Tread Softly - A young woman reflects on lessons she learned from her older brother. 💜

In today's story, Tread Softly, a young woman reflects on lessons she learned from her older brother. Today's prompt was inspired by a book of the same title. When I was young, I loved Tread Softly by Corinne Gerson. I recently tracked down a copy...

31/03/2024

Commentary on the stories I shared in March! 😀 Admittedly, these weren't my strongest stories. They were both pretty silly due to a bout of insomnia that lasted for several weeks and made March a rather rocky month.

Yet, this podcast isn't about sharing polished short stories. It's about letting go of perfection and free writing to stretch your imagination. By that metric, these stories were a success! 😆

Links to the stories are in the blog post. Enjoy!

Author commentary on the stories featured on my Freely Written podcast in March 2024: Under Where and Cake.

27/03/2024

What to carry some Freely Written stories with you or give them as a gift? The Freely Written book is currently on sale! 35% off! Get it for under $8 and help support the podcast! 😊

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737970287?

Freely Written Vol. 1

20/03/2024

Ep. 111 - Cake - Thoughts of sweets freely ramble 🍩

This one is less story, more stream of consciousness, wandering thoughts that loosely come together in the end 🤷‍♀️

In today's story, Cake, thoughts of sweets freely rambleToday's prompt is a loose stream of consciousness ramble that begins with sleeping on a bed made of chocolate cake. Or something like that... Sometimes stories have less story and more nonsen...

05/03/2024

Ep. 110 - Under Where - A fairy finds her way without collecting teeth 🦷🧚

I’ll admit to being very overtired when I wrote this one! Hopefully it’s still fun 😆

In today's story, Under Where, a fairy finds a career without collecting teeth Today's prompt is a bit of word play based on the phrase "under where" sounding like the word "underwear." Yes, very silly. Sometimes silly is good way to let your imag...

29/02/2024

Some thoughts on the stories shared in February, including links to each episode. 📚

Author commentary on stories featured on my Freely Written podcast in February 2024: Breathe and Out For Delivery.

20/02/2024

Ep. 109 - Out For Delivery - a casual conversation finds some feelings

In today's story, Out For Delivery, a casual conversation finds some feelings Today's prompt came up while I was waiting for a package to be delivered. Tracking information is great until it becomes a distraction you check every few minutes a...

06/02/2024

Ep. 108 - Breathe - life unfolds one breath at a time

In today's story, Breathe, a life unfolds one breath at a timeToday's prompt was inspired by my other job, which is teaching yoga. Breath is a key part of a yoga practice. Breathing practices can help you feel centered and better prepared to handl...

02/02/2024

New feature! Each month, I (Susan Quilty, Writer) will be posting author commentary on my recent podcast stories. Check out January's post here!

Author commentary on stories featured on my Freely Written podcast in January 2024: Splitting Hairs and Clockwork.

23/01/2024

Ep. 107 - Clockwork - Romance blooms in a clock shop 💕

In today's story, Clockwork, romance blooms in a clock shopToday's prompt came from a hazy dream of gears moving like clockwork. Today's episode also includes a reintroduction for listeners who are new to Freely Written. As always, this story...

09/01/2024

Ep. 106 - Splitting Hairs - A detective meets the family 🕵️‍♂️

In today's story, Splitting Hairs, a detective is reluctantly involved in a family incidentToday's prompt was loosely inspired by a trip to get my hair cut... which doesn't really have much to do with the expression. The phrase just came to mind, ...

26/12/2023

Ep. 105 - Boxing Day - An American family learns about a new (to them) holiday ❄️

Happy holidays! Wishing you joy in the coming new year! 🎩

In today's story, Boxing Day, an American family learns about a new (to them) holidayToday's prompt was inspired by Boxing Day, a holiday celebrated in many countries on December 26th, the day after Christmas. Happy holidays!As always, this story ...

12/12/2023

Ep. 104 - Advent - A neighborhood sitter has a special advent calendar 🎄

Happy holidays! ❄️

In today's story, Advent, a neighborhood sitter has a very special advent calendar. Today's prompt was inspired by the Christmas season. Do you use an advent calendar to countdown the days to Christmas? Do you have a fun one to share? Let me know ...

28/11/2023

Wow! This is the highest 30-day average I’ve seen yet 😊 Thanks for listening!! 😁

28/11/2023

Ep. 103 - Leftovers - A post-holiday breakfast includes pumpkin pie and questions 🥧🍁

This perfect post-holiday story prompt was suggested by my friend Wendy McMullan. Thanks, Wendy!

If anyone else has prompt suggestions, please let me know! A simple word or short phrase is best. 😊

In today's story, Leftovers, a post-Thanksgiving breakfast includes pumpkin pie and  questions.Today's prompt was suggested by my friend Wendy McMullan in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday. What are your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers? How d...

16/11/2023

While I don’t check stats very often, I always smile to see that there are people enjoying my simple little stories 🥰 I hope you’ll share them with your friends and maybe be inspired to write some of your own. It’s fun to let your imagination come out to play!