Zoom Flash Gyms in May - timed writing with Meg's original prompts
Dear Friends, my Flash Gyms are returning in May! The dates aer:; May 8th, May 15th, and May 22nd. 9AM PST/12 (noon) EST/5PM BST These are 1.5 hour zoom sessions in which I serve up new, innovative and original prompts and we work on them in timed writing sessions right there, together. These gyms are based on the recent workshops I taught for Flash Fiction Festival U.K. and the Huddersfield Literature Festival. They are fun and extremely work generative. I use the same model in my flash gyms as I do when teaching in person festival workshops.
These sessions are designed to burst through writers block and confuse the inner critic. Writers from previous flash gyms have had so many stories published in wonderful magazines including Smokelong Quarterly, Pithead Chapel, XRAY Lit Magazine, Citron Review, London Independant Story Prize, McSweeney’s, and elsewhere.
Below is an example of the kind of on kind of prompt I will offer in the flash gyms. Visual photos like this one with random prompt words:
Another kind of prompt I might offer is based on a story model. Something like this:
First, I will read/ and share a story such as “The Spell” from Ghost Parachute. Then, I will offer a prompt (this is only a sample).
Write a story about a character who sees a the shadow of a dangerous or cautionary animal in another character. Zero in on the messy love in the story. It may be helpful to make the animal or insect one that you don’t often come into contact with, such as a weasel, an owl, a snake, a wolf. Include sensory details using at least 3 of the senses. I will call out words and ideas to include while the participants are writing.
DETAILS FOR ENROLLMENT: If interested, you can enroll by paying for the flash gym here: Please note: you must let me know WHICH ONE you would like to be in by email. If you’d like to sign up for all 3 of them in May, the cost for the workshops goes down to $15 per session ($45 total).
I really hope to see you there! I’m so happy to be bringing these back.
Best wishes,
Meg