🆆 Micro Monday: The Best Time to Tell Your Story

Micro Monday Newsletter Prompt #132

It’s Micro Monday, where you get a quote and a writing prompt to help you build a portfolio of work. If you’re new to micro prose and writing with me, check out this post here.

Quote #132

The best time to tell your story is when you have to tell your story. When it’s not really a choice.

Jeannette Walls

Prompt #132

Write about game night.

Set the timer for 10 minutes and start writing. When the timer goes off, give the piece a title, count up the words, and share it in the comments.

Darien, I just got word that my 12-page micro-memoir, Humble Pie: Stories of Biscuits, Backbone, and Becoming, has been accepted by Bottlecap Press as a micro chapbook. This would never have happened without your example and inspiration.

Cindy Sams

Three Things: Short Prose Conversations

Beth Ann Fennelly

and Darien Gee
July 25, 2025 Fri 12:00 pm PT

Kathy Fish

and Darien Gee
August 7, 2025 Thurs 12:00 pm PT

Coming up:

Grant Faulkner

,

nick flynn

, Brenda Miller

“Three Things” is a conversation with short prose authors to talk about writing and the creative process. Each guest shares three things: 1-3 pieces of short prose, a prompt, and a writing tip. Join us live for free!

Can’t make it? The replay is for paid subscribers, along with any bonus content from our conversation. If you missed my “Three Things” conversations with

Beth Kephart

,

Abigail Thomas

, and

Kelcey Ervick

. Paid subscribers are invited to submit one question in advance—just post them in our chat.

Paint Chips to Prose

It’s Week 2 of our writing workshop. This week’s focus is on bold and vibrant. Come join us!

Writing Workshop: Paint Chips to Prose (Week 2)

10-Minute Live Writing Session (Free)

July 7, 2025 Mon 4:00 pm PDT (Today!)
July 16, 2025 Weds 4:00 pm PDT
July 22, 2025 Tues 1:00 pm PDT
July 31, 2025 Thurs 1:00 pm PDT

Join me on Substack for 10-minute Live Writing Sessions (LWS). The live session is free; the replay and bonus content are for paid subscribers.

I sign on 5 minutes before and stay for 5 minutes after to answer questions or do a short craft talk. We always start writing at the top of the hour, and you are welcome to jump in/head out at any time. Even if you join with 2 minutes left on the timer, you will get some writing done. Trust the process and yourself as a writer.

Past writing sessions are here.

🔔 Do You Want Reminders?

I hate being automatically opted-in to Substack emails without my permission, but there are some emails I want to get, especially if they’re timely and help me write more.

All subscribers receive the Micro Monday newsletter. Anything after that is up to you. Paid subscribers can opt-in for additional emails for:

1. Live Writing Sessions (you’ll receive an email before I go live, and when the replay and bonus content are posted)

2. Three Things (you’ll receive an email about upcoming conversations with short prose authors, with private links and/or a chance to submit a question to the author)

3. Writing Workshops on Substack (this is a daily email beginning with the August workshop, Word of the Day, with your daily prompt. That’s 21 emails for the three weeks)

Instructions for opting-in (or opting-out) are below. You can change your mind at any time.