Writing Prompt: Things I Regret

By Marilyn Friedman

Sorry that I have been remiss with the writing prompts for a couple of weeks! I went on vacation to the deep South and had the privilege of touring Savannah and the Mercer-Williams House (subject of the fantastic book and movie, "Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil"). But now that I'm back, I've crafted a prompt that will encourage you to dig deep from the well of personal experience and come up with an entertaining story!

Speaking of using your personal life to fuel your writing projects, if you have always wanted to write a gripping memoir, we have a new Memoir Bootcamp class with accomplished author and journalist, Richard Rushfield starting this Monday! If you're the type that prefers to hide behind your imagination, we have two classes this weekend that will help you with that. Learn how to turn your big ideas into the next Hunger Games in Writing The Market Friendly Masterpiece with Harper Collins Author Derek Taylor Kent and create fantastical but realistic worlds in our Paranormal Fiction class with RITA-award nominated author Zoe Archer! I hope to see you soon, and I hope that you are enjoying your summer so far.

Classes Starting This Week

•Writing The Market Friendly Masterpiece

•Vampires, Time Machines, and Shapeshifters: Writing Paranormal Fiction*

Classes Starting Next Week

•Memorable Memoir Bootcamp: Make Your True Tales Thrilling

•The You Show: A Solo Performance Intensive

•So You Want To Be A Writer?*
•Finishing School*

•How To Hook An Agent 
•IAMAWESOME.WORDPRESS.COM: Crafting A Killer Blog* 

Fiction and Memoir

•Writing Pad Summer Camp (Fiction/Memoir Track)

•A Novel Approach: Tackling The Long Format Writing Project

•Fantasies, Flashbacks, and Fictions: Finding Your Character’s Inner Life

Journalism, Personal Essay and Web Writing

•What Women Want: Writing For The Women's Glossy* 

Screenwriting

•Writing Pad Summer Camp (Screenwriting Track)

•Punch It Up

•How I Met Your Sitcom: Crafting An Ensemble Comedy Show

*Classes with an asterix will be held at our Westside location in Culver City!

Writing Prompt:

Make a list of 5 times you (or your fictional character) did something that you wish you could take back (e.g. put your foot in your mouth, slept with someone you shouldn’t have, drank too much, jumped out of a plane). Pick one. Now add a sensory detail to it (smell, taste, sound, touch, sight). Now write for 10 minutes about this thing that you wish you could take back including the sensory detail and post the results in the comments of this blog!

If it makes you feel better, I’m going to write about that time that I drank too much and yelled at a bartender because he didn’t say hello to me, and I had a crush on him. I can’t wait to see what you come up with (feel free to email me if you want to remain anonymous but still enter the comment contest).

Write about something that you regret! If you post your 10 minute write in the comments of this blog, you could win a free class!

A La Carte Summer Camp

By Marilyn Friedman

I am so excited about our Writing Pad Summer Camp  with award-winning writers Maureen McHugh, Victor Levin, and Michael Saltzman on Sunday, July 15th!  But if you can't make it to our fantastic camp, here are some other ideas for your own a la carte summer camp:

• Enroll in Memoir Bootcamp with author Richard Rushfield, splash around at Roosevelt Pool and eat a sausage at Wurstkuche

• Write the next "Twilight" with novelist Zoe Archer, do laps at the Culver Municipal Plunge and eat a burger at Father's Office 

For more fab classes at Writing Pad West and East, check out our July/August schedule here. We hope that you have an amazing summer!

Writing Prompt: Fireworks

By Marilyn Friedman

It's almost the 4th of July! When you're done overloading on BBQ and return from your Independence Day getaways, we have some fantastic classes to make your summer the best it can be. On July 9 and 10, Taffy Brodesser-Akner's teaching her So You Want To Be A Freelancer class on the Westside (she's already helped 16 students get published and paid for their writing--you're next!). On July 13, Jenna Britton will help any of you who are overwhelmed by social media in her Facebook and Twitter 101 class.

Plus on July 15, don't forget to enroll in our Adult Summer Camp with award-winning novelist and short story writer Maureen McHugh and Emmy-award nominated screenwriters Victor Levin and Michael Saltzman!  Reserve your spot before our camp and other classes are full by clicking on the links below or emailing marilyn@writingpad.com.

*Classes with an asterix will be held at our Westside location in Culver City!

Classes Starting The Week of July 8th
•So You Want To Be A Freelancer*
•Facebook and Twitter 101

•Writing Pad Summer Camp (Fiction/Memoir Track)
•A Novel Approach: Tackling The Long Format Writing Project
•Fantasies, Flashbacks, and Fictions: Finding Your Character’s Inner Life
•Writing Pad Summer Camp (Screenwriting Track)
•Punch It Up
•How I Met Your Sitcom: Crafting An Ensemble Comedy Show 

Creative Writing and Multi-Genre Classes
•So You Want To Be A Writer?*
•Finishing School* 

Fiction and Memoir
•Writing The Market Friendly Masterpiece
•Vampires, Time Machines, and Shapeshifters: Writing Paranormal Fiction*
•Memorable Memoir Bootcamp: Make Your True Tales Thrilling

Journalism, Personal Essay and Web Writing
•Me.Com: Shaolin Email Blasts, Razor Sharp Taglines, and Stealth Web Copy •IAMAWESOME.WORDPRESS.COM: Crafting A Killer Blog* 
•What Women Want: Writing For The Women's Glossy* 

Publishing
•Get Your Book Published*
•How To Hook An Agent 

Screenwriting
•Writing Pad Summer Camp (Screenwriting Track)
•Punch It Up
•How I Met Your Sitcom: Crafting An Ensemble Comedy Show

Writing Prompt: Make a list of your 5 things that come to mind when I say the word, "fireworks!" For instance, you could write down events that you attended that included fireworks (e.g. your friend's 4th of July party where you met that cute guy from Indiana), times when you felt fireworks between you and a special someone, or story ideas that could include fireworks exploding in the background of a scene. Pick one. Add a sensory detail to it (e.g. smell, taste, sound, touch). Now write for 10 minutes and post the results in the comments of this blog to be entered into the contest for a free class at Writing Pad!

Write about whatever comes to mind when I say "fireworks." Post your 10 minute write in the comments of this blog, and you could win a free class!

Summer Fun Writing Prompt

By Lizzie Vance and Marilyn Friedman

Now that the month of June is here (and the warm weather is being coy), it's time to switch gears and go on our summer adventures--even if it's only on the page. We have a lot of fun activities planned for June and July including an Adult Summer Camp with award-winning novelist and short story writer Maureen McHugh and Emmy-award nominated screenwriters Victor Levin and Michael Saltzman!  Reserve your spot before our camp and other classes are full by clicking on the links below or emailing marilyn@writingpad.com.

*Classes with an asterix will be held at our Westside location in Culver City!

Classes Starting This Week/Next Week
•What's On Your Mind? Building Your Brand Through Social Media*
•Meet Me Now, Squeeze Me Later: Crafting the Studio Romantic Comedy*
•So You Want To Be A Writer?
•Finishing School

Creative Writing and Multi-Genre Classes
•So You Want To Be A Writer?*
•Finishing School* 

Fiction and Memoir
•Writing Pad Summer Camp (Fiction/Memoir Track)
•A Novel Approach: Tackling The Long Format Writing Project
•Fantasies, Flashbacks, and Fictions: Finding Your Character’s Inner Life
•Writing The Market Friendly Masterpiece
•Vampires, Time Machines, and Shapeshifters: Writing Paranormal Fiction*
•Memorable Memoir Bootcamp: Make Your True Tales Thrilling
 
Journalism, Personal Essay and Web Writing
• So You Want To Be A Freelancer*
•Facebook and Twitter 101
•Me.Com: Shaolin Email Blasts, Razor Sharp Taglines, and Stealth Web Copy
•IAMAWESOME.WORDPRESS.COM: Crafting A Killer Blog* 
•What Women Want: Writing For The Women's Glossy* 

Publishing
•Get Your Book Published*
•How To Hook An Agent 

Screenwriting
•Writing Pad Summer Camp (Screenwriting Track)
•Punch It Up
•How I Met Your Sitcom: Crafting An Ensemble Comedy Show

Writing Prompt: Here's a writing prompt to get you summ-imagination going! Make a list of your 3 most memorable moments from the summers of your childhood (e.g. that costume contest you won by wearing your Wonder Woman Underoos to camp, your first kiss at sleep away camp, a backpacking trip with your family to Yosemite where you almost died). Pick one. Add a sensory detail to it (e.g. smell, taste, sound, touch). Now write for 10 minutes and post the results in the comments of this blog to be entered into the contest for a free class at Writing Pad!

Happy summer, everyone!

Write about a summer camp or vacation memory from your childhood. Post your 10 minute write in the comments of this blog, and you could win a free class!

Comment Contest Winners

By Lizzie Vance and Marilyn Friedman

We had so many fantastic story submissions for the December/January and February/March comment contest. Below are the contest winners. If you didn't win this last round of contests, please continue commenting on this blog with your wonderful stories and poems. Remember, there is a new contest starting up this month for June/July!

But before we tell you who won a free class at Writing Pad, here are some amazing courses that we have coming up soon on the West and East side of LA. You won't want to miss them!  Classes with an * will be held on the Westside of LA.

CLASSES STARTING THIS WEEK/NEXT WEEK
•You In 1200 Words: Writing and Publishing The Personal Essay*
•Get It On The Page: A Creative Writing Workshop•The Odd Couple: Creating Characters That Write Themselves*
•Casting Call: Seeking Characters For A Killer Story
•So You Want To Be A Writer/Finishing School

OTHER CLASSES BY GENRE

Children's and Young Adult Writing
•From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Kids and YA Writing Pt I
•From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Kids and YA Writing Pt II

Creative Writing/Multi Genre/Fiction
•Best Ride Ever: Crafting The Perfect Story Arc

Journalism, Personal Essay and Web Writing
•What's On Your Mind? Building Your Brand Through Social Media*
• So You Want To Be A Freelancer*

Publishing
•Do It Yourself: Get Your eBook Published

Writing For Actors
•It's All About You: A One-Person Show Workshop

Screenwriting
•Pet Project: Writing Your Dream Screenplay
•Meet Me Now, Squeeze Me Later: Crafting the Studio Romantic Comedy*

Comment Contest Winners

May I have a drum roll please? Here are the winners of a free class at Writing Pad. The December/January Comment Contest Winner is Mae Alberto!

Congratulations, Mae! We asked the contest winners where they like to write. Mae says, "My favorite place to write is on my big, red shabby chair.  I like to sit in it, 'Indian style,' and I feel like it embraces me like my own little nook."

That sounds comfy! You can read Mae's wonderful piece about a cooking disaster here.


The winner of the February/March Comment Contest is Kristin Miles Palmer!

Congratulations, Kristin! Kristin says, "My favorite place is write is, oddly, in my car during a long drive. I have a short attention span so the changing landscape keeps me focused. There is no need to worry if you see me on the road though; I forgo the pen and paper for my phone's voice recorder for those 75 mph brainstorming sessions." 

That sounds like a great way to maximize your driving time, Kristin! You can read Kristin's charming piece about first love here.

We hope to see you soon either on this blog or at Writing Pad West or East!

Writing Prompt: Memorable Concerts

By Marilyn Friedman

I am very excited to announce that Writing Pad is offering several classes on the Westside of LA in June! Join us for these five classes in Culver City:

• You In 1200 Words: Writing and Publishing The Personal Essay
• The Odd Couple: Creating Characters That Write Themselves• What's On Your Mind? Building Your Brand Through Social Media
• Meet Me Now, Squeeze Me Later: Crafting the Studio Romantic Comedy
• So You Want To Be A Freelancer

Also, if you have a small biz, a book, a blog, or a show that you want to promote, we are having another round of the Copywriting Ninja Skills Workshop with award-winning writer Lauren Smith of TBWA/Chiat/Day next Friday at Writing Pad East! Normally, you'd have to be a multi-million dollar company to get access to Lauren's expertise, but for only $90, she'll teach you how to develop a brand manifesto and compelling email and web copy. This class will blow your mind so you won't want to miss out. Email marilyn@writingpad.com or click on the "Buy Now" links on my website to sign up before these classes are full.

I hope that you enjoy your Memorial Day weekend and get lots of writing done. I intend to!


OTHER CLASSES STARTING THIS WEEK/NEXT WEEK

•Me.Com: A Copywriting Ninja Skills Workshop
•Fiction Bootcamp: Mastering The Art of The Tall Tale
•Killer Hooks and Happy Endings
•You In 1200 Words: Writing and Publishing The Personal Essay*
•So You Want To Be A Writer/Finishing School
•Write A Book That Sells Itself: Craft A Killer Premise*
•Get It On The Page: A Creative Writing Workshop

OTHER CLASSES BY GENRE

Children's and Young Adult Writing
•From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Kids and YA Writing Pt I
•From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Kids and YA Writing Pt II

Creative Writing/Multi Genre/Fiction
•The Odd Couple: Creating Characters That Write Themselves*
•Casting Call: Seeking Characters For A Killer Story
•Best Ride Ever: Crafting The Perfect Story Arc

Journalism, Personal Essay and Web Writing
•What's On Your Mind? Building Your Brand Through Social Media*

Publishing
•Do It Yourself: Get Your eBook Published

Writing For Actors
•It's All About You: A One-Person Show Workshop

Screenwriting
•Pet Project: Writing Your Dream Screenplay
•Meet Me Now, Squeeze Me Later: Crafting the Studio Romantic Comedy*

*These classes will be offered in Culver City!

Writing Prompt: With June almost here, we are getting out our picnic blankets and spending our evenings at outdoor concerts. In the spirit of the season of outdoor concerts, I'd like you to make a list of 3 memorable concerts that you have attended. Pick one. Now add a specific detail that you remember about that concert (e.g. the sound of cicadas chirping in the background, the John Mellencamp T-shirt your boyfriend wore to the concert even though it was full of holes, the cloud of pot smoke that you had to pass through to buy a soft pretzel). Write about the concert for 10 min., including the specific detail! Give us a scene, a story or a poem.

I'm going to write about the awkward Don Henley concert that I went to with a boyfriend that I had just broken up with. What are you going to write about?

Write about a memorable concert that you attended. Post your 10 minute write in the comments of this blog, and you could win a free class!

Writing Prompt: Motherly Talents

By Marilyn Friedman

How is it May already? Don't let Spring pass you by without treating yourself to a class at Writing Pad! Starting this Saturday, I am teaching a new round of So You Want To Be A Writer and Finishing School with all new writing exercises.  Let me help you get your writing practice on track. I'll motivate you to finish a chunk of that literary masterpiece you've been dreaming about. You'll learn many new things about writing craft while having fun! It's a great class with a lot of bells and whistles designed to keep your fingers tapping on that keyboard or scribbling in that notebook.

Email marilyn@writingpad.com or click on the "Buy Now" links on my website to sign up before these classes are full.


OTHER CLASSES STARTING THIS WEEK/NEXT WEEK
•Writing The Happening Scene
•Fiction Bootcamp: Mastering The Art of The Tall Tale

OTHER CLASSES BY GENRE

Children's and Young Adult Writing
•From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Kids and YA Writing Pt I
•From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Kids and YA Writing Pt II

Creative Writing/Multi Genre
•Get It On The Page: A Creative Writing Workshop
•So You Want To Be A Writer/Finishing School
•The Odd Couple: Creating Characters That Write Themselves*

Journalism, Personal Essay and Web Writing
•On The Record: Mastering The Reported Essay
•Me.Com: A Copywriting Ninja Skills Workshop
•You In 1200 Words: Writing and Publishing The Personal Essay*
•What's On Your Mind? Building Your Brand Through Social Media* 

Publishing
•Do It Yourself: Get Your eBook Published

Writing For Actors
•It's All About You: A One-Person Show Workshop

Screenwriting
•Pet Project: Writing Your Dream Screenplay

Writing Prompt: This writing prompt is in honor of Mother's Day. Make a list of 3 specific things that your Mom (or your fictional character's Mom) can do better than anyone else (e.g. make the fluffiest pancakes, pick fights with your significant other about politics, raise your blood pressure with questions about when you are getting married, get stains out of tablecloths, rock a beehive hairdo). Pick one and jot down one sensory detail that you associate with your mother (e.g. smell, taste, sound, touch). Now write for 10 minutes about that one thing your Mom does well. Make sure to include the sensory detail. Then post the results in the comments of this blog. My Mom has a strange talent for tying the tightest knots with plastic bags so that's what I'll write about.

What does your Mom do better than anyone else? Post your 10 minute write in the comments of this blog, and you could win a free class!