I am delighted to say that the Brain Sparking ’Photo Trigger Cards’ we specially designed for Writing to Inspire are now available online. They have been a long time coming but the response so far is that they are worth the wait.

Made up of 50 postcard pictures, this set of cards was created to inspire journal entries, stories, poems, conversations, memories and who knows what else, and it comes packaged in vibrant blue organza bag ideal for easy transportation and safe keeping. All the photos have been professionally taken by Australian photographer, Stephen Bezant, who just happens to be my (sometimes better) other half.

Anyway have a look at our store, they are not the only new thing available this month. And don’t forget if you would rather not buy this item through the store you can always email me at elizabeth@writingtoinspire.com

Brain Sparking Photo Triggers (AU$ 22.50 - US$ 20.00)

Well I guess Summer is definitely here, I’ve just come in from a very pleasant (if dusty) few hours conquering my garden. I can now proudly say that the only weeds I can see from my office window are in the lawn or those that look too pretty to pull out. 

Writing Exercise

You are working in your garden (or a neighbour’s if you don’t have one) and while trimming back a tree you find what appears to be a secret note. But who is it to and what is the treasure it is refering to?

Don’t you love the ecletic collection of things that people do with their lives? One year - singing cute little pre-school songs for ‘Mr Squiggle’, the next - writing internationally proclaimed horror stories.

Of course the former might trigger the latter for some people but … 

Anyway here is the link to the news article. Congratulations Terry, always nice to see Australian writers doing well internationally.

Anybody fancy a drive to Mandurah today? It’s lovely weather for a day by the ocean - and perhaps calling into the the local library to hear a talk from, oh I don’t know, maybe, me.

Yes today I’m giving a talk on ’Stolen Moments’ and signing books. Thankfully Pamela is coming with me too, a good thing considering I am only just getting my voice back.

Anyway, 2pm at Mandurah Library if you feel like dropping in, buying a book would be really nice too.

Happy Halloween to all those who are involved in the tricking or treating.

As you might expect today’s writing exercise is seasonal. Have fun with it.

Writing Exercise

Write a story or poem that includes each of the following: a hooked nose, a goblet, a field of shadows and a tooth-ache.

Still struggling with my voice today, which might explain the writing trigger below. But for anyone who is planning to go to any of the talks I am doing next week, I plan to be back to my talkative self by then.

Writing Exercise

Try using this as a first line:

‘Jack didn’t talk, never had, never would, they said but I knew different …

I’ve just come in from pottering around the garden. It seemed the best place to be today considering the delightful spring weather and the fact that I’m trying to kick some fluey bug that has left me with no voice and plenty of bugs to share. 

Anyway, having finally decided to trust the dog, I have taken down the temporary fencing around the vegie patch, and I have to say that corner of the garden looks vibrantly green and heathly. This week I have picked some spirally-contorted carrots, wholly lettuces and warm, ripe cherry tomatoes. 

Vegie patches are so much fun, but if you’re wondering why I’m rambling on about it it’s because while I was out pottering a phrase from one of John Denver’s songs came to mind (as it usually does this time of year) and I thought it would be a great topic for a writing exercise. I hope it inspires something wonderful.

Writing Exercise

‘Only two things that money can’t buy and that’s true love and home-grown tomatoes.’

Writing Exercise

Write this first line of your story then just keep going.

‘The drink can, now rattling and bouncing down the street, was thankfully the only reminder of last night’s party. …’

Today’s Writing Exercise

Write a story that involves a Superhero, a cup of tea, a pack of playing cards and the driver of cement mixer truck.

Pick your genre, age range, writing style, it’s all up to you. Just have fun. 

And to think that the main controversy kicked up by J K Rowling’s Harry Potter series of books was the witchcraft, now it would appear that Dumbledore is gay! (Click here for the news report). Don’t you love the freedom, plotting and plain sneekiness of being a writer?