Okay, so last year, I started my own blogging challenge, so I would continue researching and writing about my family history. A couple of years ago, I found an old genealogy site by Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. Although the writing venture had ended, I followed it anyway, and it opened up a door of incredible discoveries about my family. As my year crept to a close, I longed for another writing quest, but I could not find anything. That fall, I got busy and created my own writing challenge called My Tales, and I opened it up to other writers. It was a fun experience, and I did have a few bloggers participate on a regular basis.
Once the year came to a close, I didn’t know what my next move should be, for I learned that Amy Johnson Crow had started up her writing prompts once more. One fellow blogger enquired if I were going to continue. Although I hated to see it end, I didn’t see the point since I knew I wanted to follow Amy’s new prompts for the year.
Still, I started wondering about some of the things my bloggers, friends, and family had stated. One blogger told me that she enjoyed my site and enjoyed writing challenges, but she also shared that she just couldn’t bring herself to write about her family. Even my own grandkids had their spin on the family tales. While they loved the history, they wanted to know more about my life and their mom’s childhood too. With that in mind, I decided to give My Tales another shot, except this time I would focus on prompts that could involve more individuals, for it could still include genealogy buffs as well as folks that love to write about life.
This time, I will do bi-weekly writing prompts, and I hope participants will continue to share their stories. Here are the January Themes. Happy Writing!
Memorable Mail
- Naughty Epistles and Angel Wings ~ Tales of a Family
The Classic Nickname
- The Key to my Heart ~ Tales of a Family
Magical Moments
- Happily Ever After ~ Tales of a Family
Once Again
- My Spiritual Journey, Step-by-Step ~ KTC from Princes, Paupers, Pilgrims, and Pioneers
- Land of the Pharaohs ~ KTC from Princes, Paupers, Pilgrims, and Pioneers
- Life was Simple ~ Tales of a Family
Nostalgia is a sentimental yearning for how things used to be or how they were for a brief moment. Do you ever feel nostalgic about your childhood or other times in your life?
The Storytellers
- And She Rose ~ KTC from Princes, Paupers, Pilgrims, and Pioneers
- Suffer the Little Children ~ Gary A. Wilson: A Dime of Time
- The Red Racer ~ Tales of a Family
Cherished Finds
- Compass ~ Tales of a Family
7 Days in 7 Lines
- Seven ~ Tales of a Family
Street Signs
Let’s share some stories for May! With these high-spirited topics, the tales should be fun-loving and humorous. Happy writing!
Tall Tale
- Ordering Babies From the Montgomery Ward Catalog ~ Tales of a Family
Oops!
Curve Ball
- Disqualified Abuse ~ Gary A. Wilson: A Dime of Time
- Words ~ Tales of a Family
Where did June go? This summer has flown by all too quickly, and I never put up the June writing prompts. I apologize to my bloggers that share their stories on this site.
This time I am not placing dates or deadlines, just the writing prompts, so share when you can.
Since July is all about hot summer nights and friends, I decided to use these as suggestions for our stories. Have fun, and do not forget to share your tales.
Hot Summer Nights
- Fourth of July Memory ~ Stories Served Around the Table
- Sizzle ~ KTC from Princes, Paupers, Pilgrims, and Pioneers
- The Dry Grass of August ~ KTC from Princes, Paupers, Pilgrims, and Pioneers
Friends
- Recalling a Great Friendship ~ Gary A. Wilson: A Dime of Time
- My Pengrove Pivot ~ Gary A. Wilson: A Dime of Time
- Helping Her Reach Higher ~ Gary A. Wilson: A Dime of Time
- A Song From on High ~ Gary A. Wilson: A Dime of Time
As summer slowly slips away, now would be a great time to share your favorite summertime memories. Remember to add your stories.
Summer Hangout
- In Over my Head ~ Tales of a Family
Summer Excitement
- IDK, What do You Want to do? ~ Gary A. Wilson: A Dime of Time
- Water Adventures ~ Gary A. Wilson: A Dime of Time
An Unforgettable Teacher
Fall Favorites
Family Tales
Spooky Stories
Gratitude
Recognition
Tales of a Family 
Good luck!
LikeLiked by 2 people
thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your banner up top.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you…my kids..
LikeLike
Hello Ann Marie. Well – my schedule and your January themes just plain defeated me. I was too tied up with stuff to give much thought to any writing, yet along your theme of a Memorable Mail, but I tried to get you something for your second theme of Classic Nickname, but it just beat me.
In my coffee share I described some of what happened with the attempt. “My current story project is based on history – these things happened to me, perhaps with a bit of hyperbole for fun. This week I sat down also to write a story of a gal I knew in high school who I thought had an interesting story, but quickly hit a wall because: she is no longer with us, her story is not at all funny, just very sad and as such, it did not fit my model. Also, there are enough people still around who would remember her and unless I can find a position where telling her story somehow honors her memory, I felt it was not mine to tell. I was frustrated, but pushed back from even starting it. Someday, I may write it up if I can find some more details and find that position of honoring her but for now it’s just stuck in my head as a story left untold. I suspect this will chew at me some because it had one key idea I wanted to work with. It was the title. I was going to call it, “A Girl Nicknamed Worm” and I was going to vent a bit about it because I think it tainted and slowly destroyed her. But lacking details. . .”
Anyway, I never did find a comfortable position from which to tell this story. She was one of the survivors of riding on my back while we unicycled down the street together. She was shy, humble and often seemed fearful of life. I thought she was so cute, she would never seriously consider me for a friend and thus I didn’t try hard to become one. Looking back – I wish I had pressed to be a friend.
Okay – what’s the challenge for February?
Oh – did you see my newest story titled “Of Crashes and Christmas”? I’m not sure why, but this one, in about 4 days became y second most popular story according to its WordPress View Count. Would love to hear your thoughts as to why this could have been. You can find it @
garyawilsonstories.wordpress.com/of-crashes-and-christmas/ if you’d care to give it a try.
Blessings
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know how you feel about writing stories and how the details sometime do not just fit together correctly at that moment in time. I often feel as if I have several irons in the fire, so I can allow some to heat up when the time is right.
I will put together February’s prompts this weekend. I am so far behind on work tasks and grading that I will have to go to school tomorrow. My boss reminded this me that waiting for the third email is really not an option…I have to scan documents and attach them to my state evaluation that was due on the 5th….need I say more…good thing is a saint…although somewhat rough around the edges. I just tell him that reminds me of a roasted marshmallow….crusty on the outside but warm and gooey on the inside.
I can’t wait to read your tale. I have been running in circles and I haven’t even had time to read my favorite blogs of late. Now, I have something to look forward to when I catch my breath!
And I am sorry to hear about your friend. When people pass, the stories can be difficult to share…I waited a long time before I could share my story about Debbie.
And your message reminded me that I have a tale I can write about when my grandfather died. It was a sweet tale…about my younger brother that made us all laugh while we attended the viewing. People in other rooms were not amused with our laughter, but my grandfather would have loved that moment.
When it’s my turn, I hope people laugh and tell stories…even the ones that would embarrass me. I told my daughter that I didn’t want a funeral. I wanted a picnic in the mountains…my mom didn’t want a funeral…she wanted a family dinner, and it was a precious celebration of her life. We laughed and cried and told stories. And I know she was looking down on us while saying, “I can’t believe you just told everyone my business!” She would have loved it too…even the part where we smuggled beer into her kitchen…heaven help us! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Ann Marie. We are both mired in Adminis-trivia it seems. Not a place I ever want to pass through yet along get stuck. I swear some of this stuff is worse than clowns.
Funny you would mention funerals – because it was a series of family funerals, where we realized that we were losing so much family history that my daughter got the idea of asking me to record my stories. She may have created a monster.
I hope you continue to feel better (I think you were still a tad ill, just before you wrote the note just above, that your boss is quickly satisfied with your reports and you get some time for some serious writing and reading.
Gary
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wish we didn’t have all the state mandated paperwork. And we know that no one really reads what we submit. Oh the joy…lol. Yes, clowns is an accurate description…we are constantly jumping through hoops and juggling too many responsibilities at once.
We like monsters, so keep on writing. We do need to preserve our family history. I just wish I would have asked more questions when my grandparents and parents were alive. Thankfully, my mom’s side of the family told many family stories.
I am finally getting over what ails me. Thank you. And I am excited because today I am starting a writing club at school! Happy dance…Former students came to me and asked if I would sponsor a writing club. So upward and onward.
Have a great week and keep on writing!
LikeLike
Definitely keep on writing! Your entertaining, inciteful, humourous and real. I love it all! I particularly love this wonderful picture!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much! You are so kind.
LikeLike
While I love Amy Johnson Crow’s prompts, and they’ve carried me far in my writing and genealogy research – I started seeing a lot of repeated prompts and got bored with trying to think of a new person that fit that particular question. I love your ideas for prompts and will be popping back once my house move is done. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am glad you like my prompts…good luck with your move. And I am excited to read your latest tales.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Ann Marie,
I stumbled across your blog searching, Simon Bradstreet. Much to my surprise, I see we have similar goals in our blog/websites and I invite you to check out mine @https://cottonchronicles.com/
Like you I connect to 17th century Boston as I am the 7th great-grandson of John Cotton.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am glad you stumbled upon my blog, and I look forward to reading your blog. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
Love to see your doing your own prompts… I did start up again this year with Amy, but took a different twist with the prompts in my writings as I don’t always have the time to research an ancestor… but I’m adding family history in with my stories. I’ll keep you in mind if I don’t find a fit with a prompt and see what yours is… as long as I write, doesn’t matter where the prompt comes from. I just love those feet at the top of your blog… the next time I get all my 5 granddaughters together… I need to do a barefoot photo. Might take me awhile as my son moved to Florida so the girls won’t see each other as much now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jeanne….jump in any time! I am doing Amy’s prompts this year too. I decided to continue my challenge on a smaller scale since I have a few who like to participate.
I love my feet too! <3. I know it's hard when family is far away. Mine were scattered for years, but thankfully they are now close to home. Although my oldest grandson will start college this year, and next year, I have two more graduating and heading out into the world. Time flies!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay – my friend. You need to tell me that all is well with you. I sincerely hope all is well with you.
I just noticed that both your Nov 2019 and Dec 2019 challenge links don’t go anywhere as if you didn’t set them up. This is so unlike you, so perhaps some untoward event broke them. Hmmm.
Anyway, I wanted to share a story with you that I think you would like, but if you are just jammed-busy, I do not want to add anything to your work load. So, while I think this story might fit well with your Dec challenge, do not feel compelled to share it out as you so kindly often do. I would be thrilled just to know you read (and maybe even liked or commented back on) it. It’s another confused, small boy tale that I think will charm you. it’s also a tad shorter than my normal 10 minute reads, so have your coffee handy before you read it as it will take you longer to make said coffee than to consume my little essay.
I call it: “The Poppies are Back” and you can do a quick visit via this link:
https://garyawilsonstories.wordpress.com/the-poppies-are-back/
LikeLike
Hi Gary….having a ruff month….miised th last week of school, back stuff, got the flu (yea I had a shot), and the flu has affected my asthma. Even tho I have been on lots of bed rest, I just haven’t had the oomph to get things done. I think I need to hang a closed sign until the first of the year…lol
On another note, I wish you and your family a joyous Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
LikeLike
Well yuk!
I was hoping I was wrong and you were a vacation somewhere sunny with an umbrella drink & super massage therapist.
So it’s back on the prayer list for you girl. How you’re feeling better fast.
LikeLike