Leap into Writing

Have you ever wanted to write but couldn’t find the time? Or you didn’t know where to start? Or you didn’t think anyone would read your work so what’s the point?

If you’ve had any of these thoughts Neenah Public Library’s new program “Leap into Writing” is for you! Begin with a writing prompt, write a story between 500 and 1,000 words, and get feedback from a real live author/editor.

Here’s how it works:

1. Using that month's writing prompt as a starting point, write a complete story between 500 and 1,000 words.
2. Email your story as a .PDF to zaborowske@neenahlibrary.org.
   1. Stories should be formatted in 12-point, Times New Roman font. Single spaced.
   2. Please include your name and a title.
3. After you submit your story, you will receive a Zoom link as well as a .PDF of the other participant’s stories.
4. Meet on Zoom on Tuesday, February 7th, at 7:00 pm to receive feedback from the editor.
5. Take what you’ve learned and begin again with the next writing prompt.

February’s Writing Prompt is: "Television or Movie Character"

Pick your favorite television or movie character and plop them into a short story.

Need something more specific? Try one of these:

1) Place Lucy Ricardo (from I Love Lucy) on a company sponsored retreat and see what happens...

2) How about Cosmo Kramer (from Seinfeld) moves to Wisconsin and has to deal with his first snow storm?

3) Ferris Bueller (from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) takes a sobering look at his retirement account as he reckons with a life of frivolous spending.

Stories must be emailed to zaborowske@neenahlibrary.org by Monday, Jan 23rd! Stories should be formatted in 12-point, Times New Roman font. Single spaced. Please submit your story as a .PDF. Include your name and library card number in the email. Thank you!

February's Guest Editor is Amy E. Casey!

Amy E. Casey is the author of the novel The Sturgeon’s Heart (Gibson House Press, 2022). Her work is influenced by landscapes, both environmental and personal.

Amy lives and writes in Wisconsin, near the cold freshwater shore of Lake Michigan. From there, she dreams up stories of quiet monsters and wild landscapes. Her short fiction and poetry have been published in Split Rock Review, Psaltery & Lyre, Club Plum, NonBinary Review, Bramble, and elsewhere. She does a large portion of her writing on a Smith Corona Classic 12 manual typewriter from 1964.

This program is designed for ages 18 and older.