SWPSC: “Comfort” & Freestyle Stories — September Conclusion — A blanket and a kitty’s purr. Benny the kitty is now ten months old. We adopted him from an animal rescue when he was three months old. He’s a nervous sort of kitty, still not liking to be held. Not sure if it’s his young age, his personality, or the rocky start at an animal shelter…

A roundup of the latest Flint & Steel articles and September writing prompts across Medium-land — “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.” — Nido Qubein Happy Wednesday to all! Tomorrow, September 22, marks the last 100 days of the year. As you know, I’m a sucker for goal setting. I’m using these last 100 days as a…

In the search for a full circle connection — On Tuesday, I announced Flint & Steel’s latest writing challenge where one winner will receive $50. The prompt is “Full Circle,” which was inspired by the one-year anniversary of starting F&S. I love writing circular, whether in fiction or creative nonfiction. Connecting the dots, seeing the change (good or bad)…

A writer, one part content blended with one part creative — My name is Ellie Jacobson, which you probably gathered by the article title. I’m also part Irish so excuse my sarcasm. My life I grew up in the ’70s and the ’80s (the best time I tell ya!). I was born and raised by the most wonderful (not sarcasm) Mom with red…

Until further notice — Just a note to all the F & S readers and writers, I’m putting a pause on Flint & Steel. I’m not closing it down, but will not be publishing articles or accepting new writers for the remainder of the year. I will continue to be an editor at Six…

Winner will be announced on October 6, 2022 — Thank you to ALL the writers who submitted their “full circle” pieces for Flint & Steel’s latest writing challenge. I truly appreciate you all taking the time sharing these moments with us all. Challenging You To Write Full Circle One winner will receive $50medium.com You all made my job so much harder (in a good way!). I struggled with creating a…

September Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Comfort” — Soothing baby to a grieving daughter. My mother’s mother made this baby blanket nearly 50 years ago. The birth of a granddaughter is normally a joyful experience. But my birth was not greeted with open arms by all of my mother’s family members, at least not at the start. I was not expected. Some would say…

September Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Comfort” — Warming my soul with a bowl. I didn’t grow up eating Cream of Wheat. It was a tradition that first started with my ex-husband when we lived in a small cabin on an equally small lake in the woods of northern Minnesota. The first time he offered to make it, I replied, “Yuck! It looks gross!” …

Day nine of the Refresh the Soul 30-day writing challenge — Day 9 prompt: Write about your name. I hated my given name growing up. Ellen Theresa McFadden. Okay, I loved my middle and last name but detested my first name. Ya know, the one everyone calls you by. It wasn’t cute. It was “old” sounding. Boys called me “Allen” or…