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It’s a brand new year – time to make a resolution to work on your writing skills. One great way to do that is to participate in the weekly Word Shot exercises. A few days ago, Robyn Ciuro e-mailed me, saying:

“Good writing is not easy and I’m sure I’ve got a long way to go but I love seeing what the new picture is and waiting for the words to bubble out from my brain and down to my fingers. It’s like yoga for my brain.”

I like Robyn’s “yoga for my brain” remark. It’s true. The writing brain needs exercise, so pump a few mental weights with this week’s Word Shot. Here it is:

If you’re new to this, simply look at the photo (really look at it), think about it, let words come to your mind, write them down, and then submit them as a comment to this post. It’s as simple as that. You can submit anything from a single word to a full story. And if you participate in 10 Word Shots, I’ll e-mail you my three e-manuals on writing.

Thanks to you who took part in last week’s Word Shot. Keep up the good work!

2008. What a year! As it comes to a close, let’s try one last Word Shot before moving into a brand new year. Here it is:

This photo triggers numerous questions. Who is leaning against the cross? Why? Where would such a large cross be placed? Did sorrow drive this individual there? Gratitude? Remorse? Think about it. Be still and listen to what emerges from your mind-soul. Write it down and submit it as a comment to this post. Just a word if that’s all the comes. Or a phrase. Or a sentence. Or a story.

By the way, you can read the comments to last week’s Word shot here. My thanks to those of you who participated! Your sharing was a gift to us all. 

If you’re not a frequent Word Shot participant, don’t be shy. Weigh in with a comment – even if it’s just a single word. And don’t forget to check other writers’ submissions for this week’s Word Shot in the coming week. Please remember, these exercises are for all of us and will – I assure you – sharpen your writing skills and creativity.

Once you participate in 10 Word Shots, I’ll send you my e-manuals as a prize – all three of them. Just e-mail me to let me know when you qualify.

If you’ve never tried a Word Shot, now’s the time. Get your writing out there for others to read. It’s your last chance in 2008!

To those of you who participated in last week’s Word Shot, well done! I continue to be delighted by the submissions, and I’m sure other readers are, too.

Here’s the photo for this week’s Word Shot:

Allow me to give you a bit of a lead on this one. If you could receive any gift this holiday season – regardless of what it costs or whether or not it would be possible to give to you – what would it be? It doesn’t have to be something that could be wrapped up in a box. Think about this one and see where it takes you.

We’d all be interested in your response – even if it’s just a single word. When you’re ready, simply submit it as a comment to this post. Don’t forget to check out other writers’ submissions for this Word Shot in the coming week. Please remember, this exercise is for all of us, and the purpose is to help up hone our writing skills. Believe me, it will do that.

Also, don’t forget that I will send you all three of my e-manuals as a prize, once you have participated in 10 Word Shots! Just e-mail me to let me know when you qualify.

Have fun with this one. And a very merry holiday season to you all!