Take that, you nefarious ne'er-do-wells

Blogger has another new feature: Word verification for comments. It's a way to stop automated systems from leaving comment spam. I don't get a lot of comment spam here, but I do occasionally have to delete a comment that touts some financial stock that's about to explode. It happens often enough that I've decided to turn on word verification for Gienna Writes.

What this means is that if you leave a comment you will have to type in a series of computer-generated letters before your comment will be posted. It's not as complicated as it sounds, I promise. Click here for a brief explanation of how it works.

[via Blogger Buzz]

Fifty Words: Spring Break

I want to thank everyone who participated in Fifty Words these past seven weeks. Some wonderful writing came out of this experiment and there was also lots of support, encouragement, and feedback. Although there were weeks when only a few people submitted entries, I know that lots more people visited the site. As of this morning, the hit count stands at 1,588. Not bad.

I'm not giving up on Fifty Words. But I am going to take a break so that I can work on new writing prompts and concentrate on finding a job -- those Google ads just aren't paying the bills. I'll post updates and announce the start of the next session here and at Gienna Writes.

In the meantime, get your dose of creative writing by visiting the sites of those who participated in the first Fifty Words session:

Freewriting
Between the Covers
Being Jennifer Garrett
Delightfully Mundane
Bumps and Bruises of a Virgin
Inked
Mixed-Up Reasonings on an Up-Side Down World
Reaching Infinity
Bad Metaphor
Warm Stone
Rowan's Ramblings
Tales From the Ridge
Behind Glass
Blogging Ned
Trace Talks
Poignant Blurs

I hope I didn't forget anyone! Please feel free to continue talking and sharing your writing via the comments section.

See you all soon,

Gienna

Fifty Words: Open Season

This Week's Writing Prompt: This week you can submit any writing that fits one of the previous challenges: Monkey Mind; Figuratively Speaking; Tall Tale; Early Memories; Spring has Sprung; or last week's incredibly popular One Small Thing.

Basically, it's open season at Fifty Words.

Submissions: Submit your entry by email or by leaving a comment on this post. Include a short title, your name or pen name, your fifty words and a link to the rest of your entry ... If you do not have a web site, or do not want to post your writing on your own site, you may submit up to 200 words (by email only) and I'll post your entry here in its entirety. Check the FAQ for more information. Suggestions, comments and questions are always welcome. You do not need a user name to comment -- just choose "anonymous" or "other" on the comments page.

Sister America

by Sarah Beth

I am proud to be an American, and I still love our country, but she is like a desperately ill sister, and sometimes, I just can't watch.The illness that creeps through her body is dementia, a chemical imbalance inherited from generations of mysticism and brutality. Carried like a recessive gene through the years, she has grown weary even of herself.

Click here to read more of "Sister America."

I'm (Not) Falling To Pieces

by Alicia Bourassa

I always wind up static in a room, with a blank heart and nothing to fill it but you. Who wobbled away. I always keep all my pieces contained in one me. One me with one piece of you. I never know anything all your other selves and wonder where…

Click here to read more of "I'm (Not) Falling To Pieces."

Little Green Trumpet

by AB

I may have jumped in surprise or I may not have reacted at all, but I remember that it tickled. My little puff of air caused the blade of grass to vibrate, tickling my lips and letting out a little trumpet sound.

Click here to read more of "Little Green Trumpet."