lemonwoodquarterly.com/winter-2026-... —A beautiful and haunting short story by Lisa Trumble, AUNTS probes the unexpected depths of family ties. Read this gripping story for free at The Lemonwood Quarterly! @lctwrites.bsky.social @shaunmcmichael.bsky.social #family #shortstory #LitMag

lemonwoodquarterly.com/lemonwood-qu... The Winter 2026 Lemonwood Quarterly! Our staff is excited to present this newest issue— a superb collection of stories crafted by a very talented pool of writers! Check it out—it's free! #LitMag #shortstory @lctwrites.bsky.social @shaunmcmichael.bsky.social

Do you have a favorite word? Is it because of the sounds in it? Because of the meaning? Because of the mouth feel? Mine is "abstruse." It sounds like a word extruded from a Playdoh fun factory press.

lemonwoodquarterly.com Coming soon! Here's a sneak peek at the beautiful cover of our next issue (Kennan Hutchins, artist). We are delighted with the fabulous stories soon to be published by The Lemonwood Quarterly. Check back next week for our Winter 2026 issue! #litmag #shortstory #playwright

lemonwoodquarterly.com/submit/ Less than a week to our January 19th winter issue deadline. Send us your amazing work! #LitMag #Shortstory #Playwright

What are you reading? Reading helps your writing by exposing your brain and mind to new words, rhythms, and concepts for your own writing practice. Read more and you will write better!

Every day before bed, write 250 words on paper about a person, in a place, with a "thing." Use the first ideas that come to mind. Do that every day. Pull out your papers and look through them when you need a scene or a character. In those snippets might be a nugget you can use.

Anyone else switch to pen and paper (or pencil and paper) when you need a change of pace while writing? S-l-o-w down and consider verb alternatives or phrases with unique sound combinations. Play with the rhythms of your sentences. Play!

Today's topic: Motivation and Self-Talk What motivates you when the words are slow to form or your submissions aren't accepted for publication? How do you talk to yourself or what do you do to keep your chin up?