August Stories
Lazy summer days create the perfect opportunities to write cool, refreshing stories and share them with us.
By the third Tuesday of the month at 11:59 p.m. ET, post your story in the comments section below. You must include a message in the comments box for the upload to work.
Your story should:
- be no more than 1,250 words
- be formatted using a twelve-point font in Times New Roman, Cambria, Calisto, or other fonts with serifs.
- be double-spaced
- include page numbers
The following day, return to this page to learn who your feedback partners are, download your group’s stories, and begin reviewing their stories.
If you miss the deadline to upload a story and register for Feedback Group, you will not be assigned to a group. However, you can still attend and bring your story to the feedback session, read it aloud, and receive verbal feedback. You will be placed in a group with other “walk-in” attendees.
This is also a place where all Life Writers can come to enjoy fellow members’ stories. Then, if you care to, leave the authors a note of encouragement.
This is a story I wrote a couple years ago but finally edited. My gardening, twenty stories upward is not charming butterflies, but it keeps me charmed. Enjoy
Here’s my submission…Cup or cone. All feedback welcome on my draft. Thank you.
Lisa Marie, another cute story of you and your mother grown up AND in another country. What fun that must have been. Would love to read other stories of her stay. LOLJackieR
Oh, so sweet, to be able to treat your mother and to look forward to one more gelato every day. I like the way you added the Italian language into your story and your mother’s pleasure.
Here is my story that began with a feedback group prompt.
I liked this story and hearing the meanings of Lorna. Those descriptions fit you well! Graceful and resilient and more.
Thank you for reading and for your kind comments, Kit. Thought it would make a nice fun story.
Hey my dear Lorna, Loved the history of your name, another wonderful account. Maybe I’ll get back to editing mine, a better attempt at Show no Tell edit. LOLJackieR
Thanks for your kind comments, Jackie. You will get there. Where there is a will,
you’ll always find a way.
Lorna, thank you for sharing your name story. I understand the thoughts and feelings in dealing with your name. I have twenty-six letters in my birth name, and I could never fit it on the line.
Thanks for reading, Holly. Pleased that you can relate to the content.
My feedback story
Judy, what a great story, loved going there when I lived there. Your story made me feel as if I were in the water with you and yours.
Sorry I missed your Show Don’t Tell; I desperately need it. Am still waiting for the replay posting so I can do it. JackieR
Wonderful storytelling Judy! I love the images you drew in my mind and the real photo at the end.
Thanks Kit.
Judy, this is a special memory that you, Brooke, Joey, and Copernicus will have forever. A time together that will always be remembered by all of you. Dolphins are amazing and like interacting with humans. Atta way to go, Grandma. Nice story. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Holly. It was a really cool experience with the G-kids
August Submission. A most amazing day in 1972 (I said I do)
A fun time in your life. I could envision the 11 inscribed on the ring. Good job!
August Submission…hopefully
I love this story and the way you tell it. I can hear your voice in every sentence.
EXCELLENT. The way you, the writer, came alive and became the writer’s light. I understand your journey. And look at you now. You are an amazing person, leader, and writer.
I’ll try once more
I’m waiting to hear more. You taught me a new word, AHEM. Now that I have learned something new today, I guess I can take a nap. I know how difficult a move can be. We moved from our large home in northern Illinois onto a sailboat. Talk about downsizing within a one-week time limit, as contracted by the new owners. I want to read more about your move and the disappearance of items.
You had me with your crossed arms! Great story and I can’t wait for you to solve the mystery.
our excitement for the spring and summer.
version 5 with page numbers
a great hook to draw in the reader Kit, good job
How imaginative. You like driving through Moab like I like the Soaring ride at Disney.
A great opening!! You had me riveted through the whole first page. I saw a couple of minor first-draft things, but they’re not worth mentioning because you’ll fix them anyway.
Thanks, Dave. I have a new idea for the killing scenes writing, but looking forward to other’s feedback.
Kit, is this story for real? Did it happen in your real life or is it fiction? How old were you, what station of your life did all of this occur, how did you get there?? Your descriptions are real and had me sitting on the edge of my seat. What was everyday life like? I have so many questions.
Here is my story for August feedback group. oops, version 5 will have page numbers.
electric lantern made me question if you were in your own backyard. I waaaay to often have done the go left, go right. Ahhh, such bittersweet memories. All I can say is I hope you have a signed and notarized will.
Posted the wrong version. This is the version with passive eliminititus.
Good Story. I felt like I was there. I also liked the last line.
Fancy Graphic Title and a great closing line! What a privilege to have a front-row seat, literally, transporting dignitaries to and from the G-20. I’m jealous.
I can never beat Norma. As far as Dave goes, let him have a moment this month.
My story is an edit of a 2022 story. I eliminated over twenty-five state of being verbs in the process.
Hi Life Writers. My story is titled “What Kind of Fan Are You?” developed from Kit’s prompt “How We Root For Teams.”
Fun story. I actually never thought about the benefits of being a fan, other than the joy of yelling at the screen and trash-talking.
Hi Dave. Thanx for your comment. I think most fans do as you have said. For me sometimes it wasn’t joy but frustration. I had to do some research in order to share more positive info.I’m a serious fan. 🙂
I’m #1. To post anyway. I got here before John. Yea! And it’s just a bit over 500 words, so it’s a quick read! When I started with memoir, I wondered what to do with all those memories- those childhood feelings I had where I either didn’t remember a specific incident or a chronological story just didn’t fit. THE ESSAY to the rescue. I guess I’m ready to write those now. Essays are hard to write because they require some introspection and a writer brave enough to say how something felt. Well, this small attempt isn’t anything earthshattering, no big… Read more »
As always Dave, great metaphor. But two immediate questions came to mind: