Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Weekly Writing Prompt 5/30/2012


Welcome to Voices: Write to be Heard weekly writing prompt!  After you have written a post or article inspired by our writing prompt, link up so we can all read each other’s work.  Remember, even if you aren’t a blogger, writing prompts are great practice, or start a blog so you can link up with us! 
Happy Writing,
Abbie

Wednesday May 30, 2012
Review a book or a movie you love!

Monday, May 28, 2012

Removing 'That' Word


One of the most commonly overused words is “that.” So much of the time you can delete “that” word and the sentence doesn’t lose any of its meaning.

When using “that” as a conjunction, its purpose is to introduce a dependent clause if the sentence sounds or looks awkward without it. But as the Associated Press Stylebook notes, there are no hard-and-fast rules.
One easy way to rid your copy of too many “that’s” is removing it after the word “said.” For example, Mary said she was ready to share her new blog post. See how removing “that” doesn’t impact the meaning of the sentence?

One important distinction is the difference between “that” and “which.” Use “that” for essential clauses important to the meaning of the sentence (no comma needed). Use “which” for nonessential clauses and offset the clause with a comma. A good way to remember the difference: if you can drop the clause and not impact the meaning of the sentence, use “which.”

Are your sentences cluttered with “that?” Could you delete few and make your writing cleaner? What other words are overused? 

Sunday, May 27, 2012



May’s Third Thursday at Voices


Did you miss Third Thursday this month?

We had a great night. We were blessed to have GlynnisWhitwer, Editor at  P31 Magazine, author of several books, and Director of the Writer’s Track at the She Speaks Writer/Speaker conference as our guest.  She gave us some sound advice for improving our writing and getting our work noticed.




Q:  What does it mean to make sure your work is “polished”?
A: Get your logic tight. Use one common theme and make sure you stick to that theme through the entire article or post. Also, make sure that all grammar and punctuation have been cleaned up.

Q:   What is the most common mistake you see writers make?
A: Trying to say too much.  Always ask yourself: “What do I want my reader to take away?” If you can’t put it in a sentence (the take away) then it’s too long and you are trying to cover too much information in your article.

Q:  What is most important thing a writer can do to improve their writing?
A:  Join a critique group. (Preferably, one without your mother and sister in it!)  To give the best kind of feedback, when critiquing someone’s work, make sure you tell the HOW to improve it, not just that it needs some work.  Also, invest in good resources such as the Christian Writer’s Market Guide. It is invaluable.

June’s Third Thursday at Voices will be about “All Things Blogging.”  We will address everything from the basics of blogging,  how to grow your blog followers, how to make blogging your career, and much more. We will also have a panel of successful bloggers on hand to answer your most burning blog questions.   

If you have a question you would like to ask our panel of experts post it in the comments below and then come to June’s Third Thursday at 7pm to hear the answer!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Weekly Writing Prompts 5.23.12


Welcome back ladies to this weeks writing prompts! If this is your first time checking out the prompts, this is how it works. Read over the prompts and which ever one sparks your interest, use that one to write about! Come back here and link up your blog at the bottom of the page for all to read.


Here's some inspiration for you! 

1) What's top of your bucket list 

2)  Best thing to happen this year 


3) Your life is what your thoughts make it. ~ Marcus Aurelius


Get on your writing way ladies! Link up, have fun and explore each others blogs!




Have fun creating!

~Tiffany

Remember if your not a blogger, please try a prompt too it is great exercise for your writing! Maybe you'll start a blog just to be able to link up your writing! ;) 






In Case You Missed It.
snippets from last weeks link up. 

"I'm going to have to build my self an ark as I might wind up flooding the place with tears again."

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Weekly Writing Prompts 5.16.12

I hope you all had an amazing weekend! Your posting for last week we're amazing, I can't wait too see what you write this week!


1) As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen ~Winnie the Pooh


2) Write about something you are thankful for! (Inspired by The Fontenot Four)


Get on your writing way ladies! Link up, have fun and explore each others blogs!




Have fun creating!

~Tiffany

Remember if your not a blogger, please try a prompt too it is great exercise for your writing! Maybe you'll start a blog just to be able to link up your writing! ;) 






In Case You Missed It.
snippets from last weeks link up. 

"She showed me that you can achieve your dreams at any age"


Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Weekly Writing Prompts 5.9.12



With Mothers Day this week let's take some time and ponder on all things mommy.

Here's this weeks WWP.
1. What is your favorite memory of your mom?
2. Who is your parental inspiration? Why? 
3. Her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her Proverbs 31:28

Get on your writing way ladies! Link up, have fun and explore each others blogs!




Have fun creating!

~Tiffany

Remember if your not a blogger, please try a prompt too it is great exercise for your writing! Maybe you'll start a blog just to be able to link up your writing! ;) 



In Case You Missed It.
snippets from last weeks link up. 

"In fact you may even see the mountain and embrace it"

"The right choice is not always the easy choice. I have to remind myself it is a gift to have the memories." 

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Weekly Writing Prompts 5.2.12



My son is currently obsessed with Dr. Seuss. He loves the books and loves when mommy reads them to him, so this week WWP is inspired by the Seuss himself! Lets have a little fun with our writing this week!

Here are three Dr. Seuss quotes, pick one that speaks to you and write away dear ladies! Don't forget to link up by Sunday!

1. "Don't cry because it's over smile because it happens"

2." I like nonsense it wakes up the brain cells"

3."Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting! So... get on your way!"


Get on your writing way ladies! Link up, have fun and explore each others blogs!




Have fun creating!

~Tiffany

Remember if your not a blogger, please try a prompt too it is great exercise for your writing! Maybe you'll start a blog just to be able to link up your writing! ;) 



In Case You Missed It.
snippets from last weeks link up. 

"That is my prayer for myself- that I might come to this fullness of joy in my life rather than be weighted down by the disconnect that is of my own making."

"I was able to take my guard down and not be fearful of some one leaving me. I was finally able to let people in and be willing and okay with letting them go if needed."

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Free Writting

Writing Exercises are helpful with any form of writing from blogging to poetry, they get your creative juices running and hopefully push your writing further. Today I wanted to talk briefly about Free writing!

Wikipedia defines free writing as:
Free writing is a prewriting technique in which a person writes continuously for a set period of time without regard to spelling, grammar, or topic. It produces raw, often unusable material, but helps writers overcome blocks of apathy and self-criticism

I define it as:
Open your computer, journal, notebook, what ever you write on and just write!

Sometimes we get so focused on what were creating, that blog post, the chapter that book you've been writing, the article that just doesn't seem right yet, that we lose the freedom of pure expression. We end up cramping our brains, and need a reset with out even knowing it, so this is our reset. We are going to freewrite for three mins (yes set a timer, and do the three mins!) . Don't pay attention to spelling, sentence structure, grammar, or if what your writing even makes sense, just write!


Have fun creating
~Tiffany