M. Jane Colette's Blog

In Calgary? Let’s Get Lit this weekend

I’m part of the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society’s Get Lit mini-writer con this weekend. If you’re in Calgary, check it out!

What’s it about?

How does one go from writer to published author? In this full-day mini conference, we will look at the writer’s life from idea to publication and how to get your work noticed. Whether you plan to go the traditional route, or self-publish, the journey is mostly the same. From the first word, to engaging your community of peers for support and encouragement, to staying on track and dealing with rejection in all forms, resilience will get you to the finish line. 

Highlights

I’m part of this panel:

On Publishing – Traditional vs Small Press vs Self-Publish 
Bradley Somer | Jodi McIsaac | Kelly Kaur | M. Jane Colette
Join all our presenters for an open discussion on all things publishing. Learn tips and tricks from the front lines and decide which route is the best for you.

And I’m giving a special, short version of the Organized Creative workshop — especially for pantsters and procrastinators.

See you there?

For more information and to register, go to the Alexandra Writers Get Lit page.

mjanecolette

Let’s write about dominatrixes today, shall we? #writingprompt

I think at least some of you need a writing prompt today, yeah? I certainly do.

Let’s go with this:

The problem was, neither dominatrix was in charge.

If it’s a hard writing day, set a timer for five minutes and write for five minutes. Then you can stop, and look at cat videos on Instagram.

If it’s a good day and you just don’t know what to write about, write a full scene. Make sure it has a beginning and a bit of a problem to solve (I just gave it to you) and an end. A middle is helpful too.

If you need to write your own thing today, but you just can’t get going on it, use the writing prompt as an entry point into your story.

Enjoy!

mjanecolette

This picture is a #writingprompt #amwriting #dirtywritingsecrets

Ready? Look… and write:

Want more writing prompts?

BETA VERSION AVAILABLE, DIGITAL & PRINT
101 FLIRTY WRITING PROMPTS TO SEDUCE YOUR INNER MUSE
Find out more: mjanecolette.com/secrets

Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS:

Everyone: Look at the writing prompt. And write.

Beginner: Your job is to build stamina.

Day 1: 5 minutes.Day 2: 7 minutes.Day 3: 9 minutes.Day 4: 11 minutes.Day 5: 13 minutes.Day 6: 15 minutes.Day 7: 15 minutes. Stay at 15 minutes for two or three weeks. Then, ramp it up.

Intermediate: Build stamina some more.

Day 1: 15 minutes.Day 2: 20 minutes.Day 3: 25 minutes.Day 4: 30 minutes.Day 5: 35 minutes.Day 6: 40 minutes.Day 7: 45 minutes. Yes, work with a timer!

Advanced: Your stamina is good; your task is to master sustainability.

Track your natural productivity cycle.Day 1, 2, 3: Track your times + word counts.Day 4, 5, 6: Plan to stop just as you peak.Day 7: Rest, re-examine and reset.

Advanced Plus: Practice edging.

You know what I mean.

And if you don’t… ask me.

mjanecolette
TellMe@mjanecolette.com

YES! MY LIFE NEEDS MORE LOVE LETTERS!
 SIGN UP FOR LOVE LETTERS & GET A FREE BOOK! 

The scarf was pink, with a blue fringe. #writingprompt #amwriting #dirtywritingsecrets

Today’s post:

The scarf was pink,

with a blue fringe.

INSTRUCTIONS

Everyone: Look at the writing prompt. And write.

Beginner: Your job is to build stamina.

Day 1: 5 minutes.Day 2: 7 minutes.Day 3: 9 minutes.Day 4: 11 minutes.Day 5: 13 minutes.Day 6: 15 minutes.Day 7: 15 minutes. Stay at 15 minutes for two or three weeks. Then, ramp it up.

Intermediates:

Set a timer for 15 minutes. Write a SCENE: ensure the piece you’re writing has a beginning, middle, and an end that makes sense. If you’re not at the end when the times goes off… keep on writing.

Advanced:

Who needs a timer, right? Write to a natural stop… Subvert the prompt so that it serves your WIP or current writing project. Everything is source material, everything is a tool.

Advanced Plus: Practice EDGING.

You know what I mean.

And if you don’t… ask me.

Want more writing prompts?

BETA VERSION AVAILABLE, DIGITAL & PRINT
101 FLIRTY WRITING PROMPTS TO SEDUCE YOUR INNER MUSE
Find out more: mjanecolette.com/secrets

Need more?

How (and why) to work with writing prompts: M. Jane Colette’s short primer on this amazing censor-busterThe first 30 or so Writing Prompts from the More Than A Guilty Pleasure Course

mjanecolette
TellMe@mjanecolette.com

YES! MY LIFE NEEDS MORE LOVE LETTERS!
 SIGN UP FOR LOVE LETTERS & GET A FREE BOOK! 

It was true. Parkas could be sexy. #writingprompt #amwriting #dirtywritingsecrets

Today’s writing prompt:

It was true.

Parkas could be sexy.

INSTRUCTIONS

Everyone: Look at the writing prompt. And write.

Beginner: Your job is to build stamina.

Day 1: 5 minutes.Day 2: 7 minutes.Day 3: 9 minutes.Day 4: 11 minutes.Day 5: 13 minutes.Day 6: 15 minutes.Day 7: 15 minutes. Stay at 15 minutes for two or three weeks. Then, ramp it up.

Intermediates:

Set a timer for 15 minutes. Write a SCENE: ensure the piece you’re writing has a beginning, middle, and an end that makes sense. If you’re not at the end when the times goes off… keep on writing.

Advanced:

Who needs a timer, right? Write to a natural stop… Subvert the prompt so that it serves your WIP or current writing project. Everything is source material, everything is a tool.

Advanced Plus: Practice EDGING.

You know what I mean.

And if you don’t… ask me.

Want more writing prompts?

BETA VERSION AVAILABLE, DIGITAL & PRINT
101 FLIRTY WRITING PROMPTS TO SEDUCE YOUR INNER MUSE
Find out more: mjanecolette.com/secrets

Need more?

How (and why) to work with writing prompts: M. Jane Colette’s short primer on this amazing censor-busterThe first 30 or so Writing Prompts from the More Than A Guilty Pleasure Course

mjanecolette
TellMe@mjanecolette.com

YES! MY LIFE NEEDS MORE LOVE LETTERS!
 SIGN UP FOR LOVE LETTERS & GET A FREE BOOK! 

My inner cougar was refusing to manifest. #writingprompt #amwriting #dirtywritingsecrets

Today’s writing prompt:

My inner cougar was refusing to manifest.

INSTRUCTIONS

Everyone: Look at the writing prompt. And write.

Beginner: Your job is to build stamina.

Day 1: 5 minutes.Day 2: 7 minutes.Day 3: 9 minutes.Day 4: 11 minutes.Day 5: 13 minutes.Day 6: 15 minutes.Day 7: 15 minutes. Stay at 15 minutes for two or three weeks. Then, ramp it up.

Intermediates:

Set a timer for 15 minutes. Write a SCENE: ensure the piece you’re writing has a beginning, middle, and an end that makes sense. If you’re not at the end when the times goes off… keep on writing.

Advanced:

Who needs a timer, right? Write to a natural stop… Subvert the prompt so that it serves your WIP or current writing project. Everything is source material, everything is a tool.

Advanced Plus: Practice EDGING.

You know what I mean.

And if you don’t… ask me.

Want more writing prompts?

BETA VERSION AVAILABLE, DIGITAL & PRINT
101 FLIRTY WRITING PROMPTS TO SEDUCE YOUR INNER MUSE
Find out more: mjanecolette.com/secrets

Need more?

How (and why) to work with writing prompts: M. Jane Colette’s short primer on this amazing censor-busterThe first 30 or so Writing Prompts from the More Than A Guilty Pleasure Course

mjanecolette
TellMe@mjanecolette.com

YES! MY LIFE NEEDS MORE LOVE LETTERS!
 SIGN UP FOR LOVE LETTERS & GET A FREE BOOK! 

“Tell me more.” #writingprompt #amwritingromance

WRITING PROMPT:

“Tell me more.”

RULES (for everyone)

Write–no going back, deleting or revising. WRITE FORWARD.No re-reading your work or showing it to anyone after you’ve written it. This is for your eyes only.Write to a natural ending. Stop. No, you can’t write more. The repeat comes the next day.

RULES (for thClass)

This is process, not product. You are getting to know your characters… but you’re still writing for your eyes only.Each day, you’re writing a SCENE. Scenes have a beginning, middle, and end, and a PURPOSE.Write badly. Floridly. Fearlessly. Break all the rules. Including all and any I’ve given you in class.

★★★

STAY IN TOUCH

TellMe@mjanecolette.com
INSTAGRAM * Twitter * GOODREADS * Facebook * LOVE LETTERS
mjanecolette.com

  GET A FREE BOOK! 

She was going to break him. #writingprompt #amwriting #dirtywritingsecrets

Today’s writing prompt:

She was going to break him.

INSTRUCTIONS

Everyone: Look at the writing prompt. And write.

Beginner: Your job is to build stamina.

Day 1: 5 minutes.Day 2: 7 minutes.Day 3: 9 minutes.Day 4: 11 minutes.Day 5: 13 minutes.Day 6: 15 minutes.Day 7: 15 minutes. Stay at 15 minutes for two or three weeks. Then, ramp it up.

Intermediates:

Set a timer for 15 minutes. Write a SCENE: ensure the piece you’re writing has a beginning, middle, and an end that makes sense. If you’re not at the end when the times goes off… keep on writing.

Advanced:

Who needs a timer, right? Write to a natural stop… Subvert the prompt so that it serves your WIP or current writing project. Everything is source material, everything is a tool.

Advanced Plus: Practice EDGING.

You know what I mean.

And if you don’t… ask me.

Want more writing prompts?

BETA VERSION AVAILABLE, DIGITAL & PRINT
101 FLIRTY WRITING PROMPTS TO SEDUCE YOUR INNER MUSE
Find out more: mjanecolette.com/secrets

Need more?

How (and why) to work with writing prompts: M. Jane Colette’s short primer on this amazing censor-busterThe first 30 or so Writing Prompts from the More Than A Guilty Pleasure Course

mjanecolette
TellMe@mjanecolette.com

YES! MY LIFE NEEDS MORE LOVE LETTERS!
 SIGN UP FOR LOVE LETTERS & GET A FREE BOOK! 

The writing was almost indecipherable #writingprompt #dirtywriting secrets

WRITING PROMPT:

The writing was almost indecipherable. Almost.

Beginners: Write for 9 minutes.

Intermediate: Write for 25 minutes.

Advanced: Write until you reach a natural break. Note down your time and word count.
(Your natural break may be 15 minutes. Or 7. Or 45. Be open. Remember you are still gathering DATA. Beginners and Intermediate–you need to build up stamina before your focus on peak performance.)

RULES

Start timer or set number of pages you’re writing towards (Beginners, use timer as discussed in class).Write–no going back, deleting or revising. WRITE FORWARD.No re-reading your work or showing it to anyone after you’ve written it. This is for your eyes only.Stop. No, you can’t write more. The repeat comes the next day. THIS IS EDGING.

★★★

STAY IN TOUCH

TellMe@mjanecolette.com
INSTAGRAM * Twitter * GOODREADS * Facebook * LOVE LETTERS
mjanecolette.com

  GET A FREE BOOK! 

“I wasn’t going to stab him in the eye with a pencil. Was I?” #writingprompt #amwriting #dirtywritingsecrets

This one is for Sara…

I wasn’t going to stab him in the eye with a pencil.

Was I?

INSTRUCTIONS

Everyone: Look at the writing prompt. And write.

Beginner: Your job is to build stamina.

Day 1: 5 minutes.Day 2: 7 minutes.Day 3: 9 minutes.Day 4: 11 minutes.Day 5: 13 minutes.Day 6: 15 minutes.Day 7: 15 minutes. Stay at 15 minutes for two or three weeks. Then, ramp it up.

Intermediates:

Set a timer for 15 minutes. Write a SCENE: ensure the piece you’re writing has a beginning, middle, and an end that makes sense. If you’re not at the end when the times goes off… keep on writing.

Advanced:

Who needs a timer, right? Write to a natural stop… Subvert the prompt so that it serves your WIP or current writing project. Everything is source material, everything is a tool.

Advanced Plus: Practice EDGING.

You know what I mean.

And if you don’t… ask me.

Want more writing prompts?

BETA VERSION AVAILABLE, DIGITAL & PRINT
101 FLIRTY WRITING PROMPTS TO SEDUCE YOUR INNER MUSE
Find out more: mjanecolette.com/secrets

Need more?

How (and why) to work with writing prompts: M. Jane Colette’s short primer on this amazing censor-busterThe first 30 or so Writing Prompts from the More Than A Guilty Pleasure Course

mjanecolette
TellMe@mjanecolette.com

YES! MY LIFE NEEDS MORE LOVE LETTERS!
 SIGN UP FOR LOVE LETTERS & GET A FREE BOOK!