That Place You Love: Real People. Real Stories.
That Place You Love: Real People. Real Stories.
Round-Up on Romance; Next-Up Trust; Publishing in TPYL!
Friday Round-Up on Romance!
That Place You Love’s weekly posts are 3-minute “flash” essays on a theme followed by a prompt to write & share. There’s no pay or pledge wall. No crosstalk or analysis. It’s easy to go back and read, reflect & respond on earlier posts. Scroll down for the recap of this week’s theme: ROMANCE.
There’s some moving & shaking going on…
That Place You Love aims to satisfy a need for first-person, true stories without fluff or excuses. I launched the platform on January 2nd - after a year of thinking about it - to create a space where people could share their stories in writing, somewhere that respects their individual voice & experience, and to create community.
15 writers regularly take part with 300+ subscribers in 9 countries.
Everyone has a story to tell, and when I get an alert that someone has shared a story in the Comments, I feel like I got a postcard from far away. I can’t wait to read it!
Thank you for trusting TPYL with your words. So now…
I’m hatching a plan to add a formal digital Zine (writing & visual art). A what? A non–commercial publication, like a magazine but with a twist. The main difference is zines are not out there to make a profit but, rather, to add other, often unheard voices into the mix. More on publishing in TPYL in next Friday’s Round-Up!
All content on TPYL is written by flesh & blood human beings…
Like you! Come write about truth, lies, and the difference between them, flex your writing muscles and refine your BS radar with a new prompt every Monday.
TPYL had a heartfelt turnout for the sixth Episode: Romance
I wrote about ROMANCING the everyday and how a melancholy song can be beautiful without also being a curse. And my love of toast!
Shirlé wrote about the daily Valentine rituals that keep a 30-year marriage romantic. Special shout out to Post-It notes!
Carole D wrote about the unambiguousness of later-in-life romance, sealed with a diamond ring and power washer.
Melissa shared how clearing out someone else’s treasures led to the velvet dress that took her twenty-year relationship to the next, not-so-make-believe, stage.
Intact Animal wrote about an elaborate birthday surprise concocted by his Love, proving that Love is the Law.
Julia shared the thoughtful things her Ex did/does, realizing we may be wired to notice the awful more than the good.
Zig contrasted two romances: one where the need to acknowledge the symbolism of a sunset fell flat, and the other where an unfortunate case of the shits in a foreign land gave a partner the chance to show love.
Amelia wrote about a New Year’s Eve romance rooted in the simplest, most direct statement of the ages, “I just want someone to love.”
Contributor Wynn Tu shared a post in last week’s Accolades about the need to move fast and run everywhere as a child, and her mother’s homemade blue ribbon award for her efforts.
READ & HEART these writers & SHARE your own story in the comments.
Next Up: Trust
With President’s Day on the holiday calendar, I would like to consider the value and meaning of TRUST. On Monday, I’ll write about Trust through the lens of truth and see what I come up with as a prompt. I tend to find Trust most tenuous, most vital, when given to a stranger under extreme (extraordinary) circumstances.
When has Trust played a part in a critical decision of yours? A stranger’s trust in you or vice versa. What was the outcome? Why was it dependent on the validity of trustworthiness?
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More to come on Monday….
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely, for real.
Michelle
