What is a Rock Star Writer?
A Rock Star Writers is someone who participates fully in the Free One-Day Writing Challenge on Saturday, January 14, 2023.
That means you show up for at least one of the two sessions, write in response to the prompts, share some of your writing accomplished on that Saturday, and support and encourage your fellow challengers.
That’s it!
We’re providing a sweet incentive for you to commit to your writing.
Read on to learn what Rock Star Writers can earn and how to qualify.
What can Rock Star Writers earn?
All qualifying Rock Star Writers earn a ticket to a group coaching session with Patricia. During this event, Patricia and other Rock Stars focus on three randomly selected Rock Star Writer stories in a live review and feedback session.
That’s right–three lucky participants have the opportunity for their work to be reviewed, highlighting what works in the story and what could be improved. What writer doesn’t want practical feedback to refine their work?
How to qualify as a Rock Star Writer
How do you earn this fantastic bonus?
Attend either the morning or afternoon session (preferably, both) live in person on Saturday, January 14, 2023.
Post something you’ve written in the free one-day challenge in the comments section below.
Submit your entry no later than 11:59 p.m. ET
on Saturday, January 21, 2023, in the comments below.
Only entries submitted on this page
will be considered for review.
We’ll notify all qualified participants within twenty-four (24) hours and provide an access link to the group coaching experience.
Writing Submissions for the Coaching Session Review
- You may submit a story you wrote during the challenge (1,000 words maximum) for the chance to receive a live review of your story. Submissions over the word count will not be considered for review.
- Three submissions will be chosen at random for feedback during the coaching session.
- Post your writing submission in the comments section below.
- Deadline to post: Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. ET
- The three selected submissions will be posted together on this page (below) by Sunday, January 22 for your review prior to the session. All participants are invited to revisit this page, read the selected stories, and provide helpful and supportive feedback to the authors during the coaching event.
- Note: You are not required to submit a writing piece in order to participate in this event, but you’ll benefit if you do!
Rock Star Writers Coaching Session Story Selections
Norma Beasley – Old Souls
Elizabeth Patterson – Gathering Eggs
Thierry Lagarde – My Chef at Home
Rock Star Writers Group Coaching Session with Patricia
Thursday, January 26, 2023
6:00 p.m. ET
via Zoom
Participants who qualify will be emailed a ticket with the Zoom link via email.
I am also including my short story in response to the prompt about a Chore in childhood.
Here is my scene-writing practice story from the 1-day Challenge. We were challenged to show instead of narrating. I shared this one in the breakout session that day.
I also posted this story on Off to the Fair. Here it is again.
Nancy, I love this story. Such great detail about handing the brushes and soap and tack and those bothersome boys! I loved reading what your thoughts and fears were about showing your steer and your sister and friend’s emotional experiences at the 4-H show. My neice, Maddy, showed livestock in 4H also. I instantly wished I could share your story with her. She’s going off to college now and I bet she could relate to your story, as I did.
What a story! Although I never personally showed livestock, and our kids only showed hogs, I could picture just about every move you made. We had friends whose families showed cattle. We did our share of “hanging out” in the cattle barns. Great story!
Your story of gathering eggs was delightful. It is refreshing to see a child who is proud to do an important job for her family. I would take a guess that this characteristic of being responsible has stayed with you throughout your life.
Here is my story for Rock Star Writers.
Sheila, This is a wonderful, timely (pun intended) story. I like how you described the day by what you were doing in each period. I had a day like that yesterday and now I have a great example of how to write about it. I enjoy the way you write!
This story is from the character development prompt where we were challenged to try and bring a character to life for the reader’s experience. Feedback welcome.
Lisa Marie, I like this story. I feel like it is an opening scene of a chapter in a book. You let us get to know the main character and how she feels about the neighbors next door. I can see in my mind exactly what you are describing. Well done!
I wrote this from the prompt Ouch.
Your story described your childhood home and what it was like to live there. Your mother was not responsive to the needs of a little girl and also you as a teenager. I wonder how her mother or father treated her as a child.
I was inspired to write this story by the prompt, “Off to the Fair.” Hope you enjoy it.
Your family was totally immersed in the activities of the fair. Your story made me want to be a part of the action. The projects and competitions at the fair revealed the culture of rural and small-town life.
Hi Rock Star Writers. My story attached is titled Old Souls.This story was more than an Ouch! I also addressed enhancing characters. Enjoy.
A painful but heartwarming story with a sweet ending. Friendships can have influences beyond our control when we are young. You showed how good fortune and goodwill helped you and Barb be able to mend the past and strong power of love in our lives.
Your story about you and Barbara made me think of my friendships and how I could have done better at maintaining relationships throughout my life. Your story showed how important they are.
Norma, I loved your story. Having grown up in WV as well, I remember some of the prejudices you describe. My best friend in high school was African American (we shared a love of music and performance) and classmates poked fun at him and me. The ending of your study brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks Sheila for your comment. Your reaction was just what I aimed for. Even today I nearly cry when I think what happened. I’m equally happy Barbara and I buried the hatchet, went on with our lives and made up for lost time. We have never talked about this incident since.
Hey Norma, I enjoyed this story more than when I heard it the first time. It goes to show real friendship of
you and your friend’s level can’t be squelched, even by prejudice.
Hey Linda. I agree the second effort was way better than the first. I had more time for one thing. More time for development. Thanks for responding.
My short story to the prompt: Ouch! -describe the worst pain you’ve experienced. Some of the worst pain I can remember being in came onto me after being thrown from the back of a horse to land on the ground. I came to and was told I was unconscious and taken by ambulance to the hospital. I recovered from the head bang pretty quickly, but later that summer when we were visiting Jackson Hole Wyoming, I was shocked to realize suddenly I could not take another step in the middle of crossing a busy street intersection. My lower back screamed in pain.… Read more »
That ground is very hard. A horse bucked me off and also had major back pain. I was much luckier than you.
Isn’t it the truth?
Yes
This short story was written during the one day challenge, specifally following Patricia’ s teaching about characters. ”People in our stories deserve to be more than names.
Such a beautiful story Thierry. Strong characterization of Serge, his sense of purpose and drive to accomplish all that he did, despite his teacher’s negative comments. Cutting such a dashing image, Serge must have lived an eventful life. This his makes the reader want to hear more.
Thank you Lorna. It does take a special mind set or talent to know what one wants to accomplish in life from an early age. And there is so much more to write about this eventful journey for sure. See you soon.
“borrowed features from his ancestor’s background. ” love it! An interesting piece that makes me want to know more.
Hi Kit, thank you for taking to time to read and give me feedback once more. Now that I opened this window on Serge’s life, I’m confident there will be more. Enjoy your life in clement surrondings.
Hey Thierry. Read your story with great interest. I have a few questions and suggestions. Will share when we do our feedback.
Hi Norma. Took me a while before answering all comments. I was upset not to be part of the Rock Star Writer event. But fully appreciated our feedback session along with Holly. Thank you so much again. Take care and see you soon.
Your characterization of Serge and his experience of becoming a chef in Montreal during Expo ’67 brought to life a person who is close to you and your family. I loved the description of him landing in Montreal like a friendly Italian mobster.
Yes, a friendly Italian mobster indeed… Thank you for reading and for your precious feedback Nancy. See you soon.
Great story, Theirry. Pretty cool that you have a chef. I’ve heard of people having personal chefs at home. Some people here do that. There’s even a segment of culinary people who will take your culinary desires/requirements and then deliver a certain number of meals to their clients homes each week.
I like your descriptions of your chef. They made a good picture of him and the way his life unveiled.
Thank you Lisa Marie. I always welcome your feedback. I myself have to catch up on reading stories and give feedback. I feel it is a great privilege to have someone nourish you at home and I appreciate every moment and meal served to me. Body and soul.
Thierry, another great story and again full of personal fond memories. In 1976, my husband and children, we were at the Olympics in Montreal staying the Raymond clan there. Would love to have met your hopeless student that miraculously managed to become that fabulous chef.
Also, coincidence, in the 1990s had the wonderful experience of visiting Avignon, and spent hours wandering as the explorers that we were in and around the Palais de Papas. Thank you for more memories.
Hi again Jackie. In some ways our paths are intertwined. I feel a connection of untold memoirs or past events we share even if we never get to the root of them. Thank you for your precious comments and sharing.