Searchlights & Signal Flares

Tiny Lights' On-line Writer's Exchange

As writers, we spend a lot of time alone in the dark, wondering where we are and what we're going to step on next. Most of us carry nothing more than a book of damp matches or a flashlight with failing batteries to illuminate the path. And most of the time, that's the way we like it.

But there are times when the darkness is lonely, frustrating, scary, boring. That's when we start squinting toward what we hope is the horizon, looking for the glimmer of a friendly campfire or the gleam of a candle in the window-reminders that there are others nearby who might greet us with nods and knowing eyes.

"Searchlights & Signal Flares" is an opportunity to support and be supported by a community of writers, to let a flash of your own light be seen and shared. You are invited to respond to the following questions (deadlines in parentheses), and if your answers adhere to the posted guidelines, they will be published on the website-no fuss, muss or editing.

Read Responses to the:

Latest Question (Submission Deadline in Parentheses):

What is your best season for writing? (8/15/06)

Previous Questions (Submission Deadline in Parentheses):

What are your sure-fire methods for self-sabotage? (7/15/06)

How do you welcome your muse? (6/15/06)

Who is your Ideal Reader? (5/15/06)

What scares you the most about writing? (4/15/06)

Where do you get your best material? (3/15/06)

What role does family play in your writing? (2/15/06)

What Advice Would You Give To A Beginning Writer? (1/15/06)

A Writer's Holiday Newsletter (12/1505)

Upcoming Questions (Submission Deadline in Parentheses):

What's a writing lesson you didn't learn in school? (9/15/06)

What's your favorite book on the craft of writing? (10/15/06)

What's the best gift you can give a writer? (11/15/06)

What's one writing habit you wish you'd acquire? (12/15/06)

Which is better, fame or fortune? (1/15/07)

Guidelines for Searchlights & Signal Flares

1. All business with this department of Tiny Lights will be conducted via email. Send to editor@tiny-lights.com
2. Responses must be fewer than 500 words and related to the topic, but they may appear in any literary form--as letters, poems, journal entries, snatches of dialogue, etc.
3. We reserve the right to reject submissions we deem offensive or disrespectful.
4. Include your name, city and state, and, if you wish, a brief description of yourself at the bottom of your response. This information will appear in the publication. You may include an email or website address if you wouldn't mind being contacted by other readers.
5. A PC compatible Word attachment works best, but Richtext is a suitable alternative. Please avoid exotic fonts. If your machine doesn't handle attachments, you may paste your text directly into an email.
6. You may respond to as many topics as you wish, but submit each piece separately. Type the question you are responding to in the Subject box of your email. This is how your material will be sorted and stored, and may prevent your words from being lost.
7. All material submitted to this column will be considered for use for Tiny Lights' online and hard copy "Searchlights & Signal Flares". Participation constitutes permission to use and/or edit your work.
8. Proofread and edit carefully.
9. Enjoy yourself. Check in often. Encourage your friends to contribute!
10. Keep writing.