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 Questions

Latest Question

What would you ask from the Writing Fairy? (12/15/11)

Previous Questions

What does it mean to have a voice? (11/15/11)
What do you do when a story resists you? (10/15/11)
How do you cast light on the dark side of a story? (09/15/11)
What keeps you from getting stale? (08/15/11)
What themes do you keep coming back to? (07/15/11)
Which is more useful to a writer, suffering or joy? (06/15/11)
How do those close to you see your writing? (05/15/11)
What�s going to happen to your old journals? (04/15/11)
How do you deal with writer�s envy? (03/15/11)
What's your idea of an effective cover letter? (02/15/11)
Who sees your work in progress? (01/15/11)

Upcoming Questions

How do you know what to cut? (02/15/12)
What are you looking for when you write? (03/15/12)

Guidelines for Searchlights & Signal Flares

All business with this department of Tiny Lights will be conducted via email. Send to editor@tiny-lights.com
Responses must be fewer than 500 words and clearly related to the topic, but they may appear in any literary form--as letters, poems, journal entries, snatches of dialogue, etc.
We reserve the right to reject submissions we deem offensive or disrespectful.
Include a bio: 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, website address and links.
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 SINGLE SPACE and paste your text directly into an email.
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.
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.
Proofread and edit carefully.
Enjoy yourself. Check in often. Encourage your friends to contribute!
Keep writing!