Tag: Poetry

Sunday's Scrips: A Monthly Newsletter

Sunday’s Scrips: December 2025

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Whatcha Up To?:

  • Happiest of Happy Holidays family and friends! I appreciate you so much and I’m so glad you’re here.
  • Join me online this February for writing workshops! (More Below).
  • Join us for Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club December 17, 2025 to discuss The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman! (More Below).

Online Winter Writing Workshops

My local library has been wanting me to do more writing workshops, but it’s hard to schedule, because our library is (thankfully) extremely full of programming already. We’ve agreed an online workshop might work best, especially in the harder month of February when people are starting to get cabin fever. There will be four sessions, all free and all online via Zoom, and anyone can attend. You can register to attend and have Zoom automatically remind you by checking out my Events Page or finding the events on Facebook.

December Timed Writing Prompt Available Now!

Want a chance to have your work featured on my website, social media, Patreon and Substack accounts? Become a supporter and you’ll have access to my monthly timed writing prompt. Send me your unedited, timed writing response for your chance to be featured! Find the November prompt on Patreon or Substack.

Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club

Join us on Zoom December 17, 2025 at 6pm MT to discuss The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman.

Monthly Book Talks!

Love to read but never know what to pick up? Check out my monthly videos for my local Thompson Falls Public Library here. Remember to Subscribe for free so you never miss one. Book talks: like book club, but shorter.

Readings

Did you know I occasionally remember to record readings of my published pieces. You can check out the latest one here. Be sure to Subscribe so you don’t miss the next one!

Please forward this to those you think may enjoy it. As always, thanks for joining me. I appreciate you’re here.

NOTE: You can email me directly at sunday (at) sundaydutro (dot) com

Sunday's Scrips: A Monthly Newsletter

Sunday’s Scrips: November 2025

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Whatcha Up To?:

  • Need a Tax Donation? Our little Thompson Falls Public Library has added to their Amazon Wishlist! (More Below).
  • October Writing Prompt Winner Heather Saint! (More Below).
  • Join us for Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club November 19, 2025 to discuss The Wild Why with the author, Laura Munson! (More Below).

Tax Deductible Library Support

Last year, I became a trustee on the Thompson Falls Public Library Board and it has been a rollercoaster! Our little library in Thompson Falls, Montana has been hit by all the same massive cuts that other institutes of culture have been hit with across the country, and the grants we rely on for our new materials budget have also been slashed. So we’re getting with the times and creating an Amazon Wishlist with quarterly rolling asks. Check it out here and please share!

October Writing Prompt Winner: Heather Saint

I know I have cancer, why doesn’t anyone believe me.  Blood tests, antibiotics that don’t work and upset my system. More blood tests, more antibiotics.  Now I am getting frustrated and angry. Finally, more tests scheduled, ultrasounds, CT, cystectomy, TURBT surgery catheter for two weeks. And then, finally, yes I have bladder cancer. Why does it take so much to prove to doctors and medical professionals we really do know our own bodies and what is wrong or right with them?  Why can’t they trust us? Are they so emboldened by big Pharma that only their special degrees and pills will actually fix us?  Why does talking with family and friends who understand finally lift the despair and anger and maybe just maybe see progress towards healing?  

Heather Saint is a world traveled native Montanan, settling into retirement in NW Montana.

November Timed Writing Prompt Available Now!

Want a chance to have your work featured on my website, social media, Patreon and Substack accounts? Become a supporter and you’ll have access to my monthly timed writing prompt. Send me your unedited, timed writing response for your chance to be featured! Find the November prompt on Patreon or Substack.

Online Winter Writing Workshops

My local library has been wanting me to do more writing workshops, but it’s hard to schedule, because our library is (thankfully) extremely full of programming already. We’ve agreed an online workshop might work best, especially in the harder month of February when people are starting to get cabin fever. There will be four sessions, all free and all online via Zoom, and anyone can attend. You can register to attend and have Zoom automatically remind you by checking out my Events Page or finding the events on Facebook.

Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club

Join us on Zoom November 19, 2025 at 6pm MT to discuss The Wild Why with the author, Laura Munson.

Monthly Book Talks!

Love to read but never know what to pick up? Check out my monthly videos for my local Thompson Falls Public Library here. Remember to Subscribe for free so you never miss one. Book talks: like book club, but shorter.

Readings

Did you know I occasionally remember to record readings of my published pieces. You can check out the latest one here. Be sure to Subscribe so you don’t miss the next one!

Please forward this to those you think may enjoy it. As always, thanks for joining me. I appreciate you’re here.

NOTE: You can email me directly at sunday (at) sundaydutro (dot) com

Sunday's Scrips: A Monthly Newsletter

Sunday’s Scrips: October 2025

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Whatcha Up To?:

  • This weekend is the Authors of the Flathead Writing Conference! (More Below).
  • Free online writing workshops coming this winter! (More Below).
  • Join us for Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club October 15, 2025 to discuss The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (More Below).

Authors of the Flathead Writing Conference

The first writer’s conference I ever attended, The Authors of the Flathead hold a special place in my heart. Their conference was where I was first introduced to Chris La Tray, and I couldn’t be more grateful. This weekend, I’ll be learning from authors like Shelley Read, Debbie Burke, and Robert Petrone. You don’t need a degree or a published book to attend, and I’d love to see you there!

Online Winter Writing Workshops

My local library has been wanting me to do more writing workshops, but it’s hard to schedule, because our library is (thankfully) extremely full of programming already. We’ve agreed an online workshop might work best, especially in the harder month of February when people are starting to get cabin fever. There will be four sessions, all free and all online via Zoom, and anyone can attend. You can register to attend and have Zoom automatically remind you by checking out my Events Page or finding the events on Facebook.

October Timed Writing Prompt Available Now!

Want a chance to have your work featured on my website, social media, Patreon and Substack accounts? Become a supporter and you’ll have access to my monthly timed writing prompt. Send me your unedited, timed writing response for your chance to be featured! Find the September prompt on Patreon or Substack.

Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club

Join us on Zoom October 15, 2025 at 6pm MT to discuss The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Monthly Book Talks!

Love to read but never know what to pick up? Check out my monthly videos for my local Thompson Falls Public Library here. Remember to Subscribe for free so you never miss one. Book talks: like book club, but shorter.

Readings

Did you know I occasionally remember to record readings of my published pieces. You can check out the latest one here. Be sure to Subscribe so you don’t miss the next one!

Please forward this to those you think may enjoy it. As always, thanks for joining me. I appreciate you’re here.

NOTE: You can email me directly at sunday (at) sundaydutro (dot) com

Sunday's Scrips: A Monthly Newsletter

Sunday’s Scrips: July 2025

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Whatcha Up To?:

  • So.Many.Rejections! (More Below).
  • Wanna write for Five Minutes? (More Below).
  • Join us for Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club July 18, 2025 to discuss The Broken Girls by Simone St. James (More Below).

Like Rejections?

Do you know I post my rejections every month? Obviously the names of the innocent are removed, but it can be interesting to read other peoples rejections. To help learn what’s a form letter, what’s a form +, etc. You can read them for free every month on Patreon or Substack.

June Timed Writing Prompt Winner

“The Plane”

By Michael Walker

It was only a short hop flight from Augusta to Columbia, South Carolina, but it was enough to scare me; I didn’t realize it was going to scare the shit out of me. I’m a terrible flyer. I don’t want to throw up—not terrible like that—but I’m positive that every flight is going to be my last. The thing is, I have a fabulous imagination, and I concoct numerous air-borne catastrophes, some of which happen at the same time. My vision of hell is a continuously crashing airplane on fire, filled with spiders.

Not this flight. We took off, and didn’t crash at the end of the runway, so that was good. We climbed and we were getting closer to God which was somewhat of mixed bag.

Michael Walker is a playwright turning novelist. Currently deconstructing a tome about four women meeting, into three novellas (as a collection) and the fourth woman’s story as a novel, tying in and wrapping up the three novellas.

July Timed Writing Prompt Available Now!

Want a chance to have your work featured on my website, social media, and Patreon accounts? Become a supporter and you’ll have access to my monthly timed writing prompt. Send me your unedited, timed writing response for your chance to be featured! Find the May prompt on Patreon or Substack.

Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club

Join us on Zoom July 18, 2025 at 6pm MT to discuss The Broken Girls by Simone St. James.

Monthly Book Talks!

Love to read but never know what to pick up? Check out my monthly videos for my local Thompson Falls Public Library here. Remember to Subscribe for free so you never miss one. Book talks: like book club, but shorter.

Readings

Did you know I occasionally remember to record readings of my published pieces. You can check out the latest one here. Be sure to Subscribe so you don’t miss the next one!

Please forward this to those you think may enjoy it. As always, thanks for joining me. I appreciate you’re here.

NOTE: You can email me directly at sunday (at) sundaydutro (dot) com

Sunday's Scrips: A Monthly Newsletter

Sunday’s Scrips: June 2025

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Whatcha Up To?:

  • Everything on Patreon is now FREE and I’m on Substack, too! (More Below).
  • Authors are joining Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club and I’m SO EXCITED! (More Below).
  • Join us for Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club June 18, 2025 to discuss Her Heart for a Compass by Sarah Ferguson.

Freedom!

Thanks to my beautiful Patreon Patrons who agreed everything should be free, both my Patreon and Substack accounts are now completely free to members, and paid members are a welcome bonus! Hooray for an end to gatekeeping and cliquey entitlement! Find me on Substack here! Or on Patreon here!

Meet the Authors, FREE!

When I started hosting Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club in collaboration with my local Thompson Falls Public Library and The Sanders County Ledger, it never occurred to me that I’d get an opportunity to be in conversation with some of my favorite writers and mentors, but that’s what’s starting to happen and I couldn’t be more thrilled! Join us in conversations with Laura Munson and Russell Rowland and who knows who else will join as we keep reading books and talking literature! Check out my Events page for info.

Timed Writing Prompts Available Now!

Want a chance to have your work featured on my website, social media, etc? Subscribe for free and you’ll have access to my timed writing prompts. Send me your unedited, timed writing response for your chance to be featured! Find the latest prompt on Patreon here or on Substack here.

Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club

Join us free on Zoom June 18, 2025 at 6pm MT to discuss Her Heart for a Compass by Sarah Ferguson.

Monthly Book Talks!

Love to read but never know what to pick up? Check out my monthly videos for my local Thompson Falls Public Library here. Remember to Subscribe for free so you never miss one. Book talks: like book club, but shorter.

Readings

Did you know I occasionally remember to record readings of my published pieces. You can check out the latest one here. Be sure to Subscribe so you don’t miss the next one!

Please forward this to those you think may enjoy it. As always, thanks for joining me. I appreciate you’re here.

NOTE: You can email me directly at sunday (at) sundaydutro (dot) com

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Writer’s Digest April PAD Challenge

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I randomly stumbled onto the Writer’s Digest April Poem-A-Day Challenge yesterday and decided to try my hand. I haven’t written poetry since college, but I do love it and I think it’s always good to stretch your muscles. It’s not too late to join yourself, if you’re so inclined.

Yesterday’s Prompt: write an optimistic poem

My poem from yesterday:

Moving (On)

I left and expected she’d follow
It was certainly too much to ask
Certain she’d make good on her desires
To have agency in her life at last

It’s not like I went out of country
I simply went diagonally three states away
She checked it all out on Realtor
Then found a new boy to date

At first, I was wary but cheerful
She deserves to find happiness too
But the further things got with the boyfriend
The clearer it was she’d never move

Now, everything happens for a reason
Or at least this is what I am told
So to get a save-the-date in the mail
Was expected and logical and bold

She may not be moving as planned
She may not be moving at all
She may be staying in Califonia
But her life isn’t staying small

Today’s Prompt:

  1. Write a happy poem, and/or…
  2. Write a sad poem.

My poem from today (although I’m not enamored of the title):

Love

The children are expanding
Their bones aching
Gone the salty flour sacks birthed over twenty-seven hours

The children are evolving
Their noses elongating
Gone the snubbed stubs required for the breast

The children are growing
Their feet flaring
Gone the smooth inked marshmallows I gobbled up

The children are flourishing
Their minds extending
Gone the requirements for my outdated knowledge

The children are becoming
Their personalities blooming
Living the dreams we nourished

Read the Guidelines and Join the fun.

Chris La Tray

Chris La Tray

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If you have any sense of self-love, you’re already following Montana Poet Laureate, Chris La Tray,’s Substack, An Irritable Metis. And you already know that his forthcoming book, Becoming Little Shell is now available for signed pre-order. And you know that he recently re-subscribed for Instagram and you can follow him there. And because you know all this already, because you’ve done all these things, you’re wondering what this post is even about. Bless you.

Here’s what it’s about:

There is a shortage of authentic people in this world (especially now that “authentic” has become such a buzz word). I’ve been disappointed by people so often in my life, so excited to meet a person I’ve put on a pedestal (even though I know better). Chris is not that person. Chris is exactly who you see, exactly who you hear when you read his words. He’s funny and kind, a bit salty and gritty. He’s above all present and real af.

How you can support Chris AND do yourself a solid:

FREE (although there are paid options if you can roll): sign up for his newsletter

FREE: follow him on Instagram

$30: pre-order a SIGNED copy of his new book

Disclosure: I am not in any way, shape, or form affiliated with Chris La Tray and I don’t see a dime if you do any of these things. These suggestions are all made with your best interests in mind. If I’m wrong, tell me so. If I’m right, I don’t need to know although of course you can always tell me so (my ego sometimes needs a boost)

Poetry In Motion

Poetry In Motion

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I’ve found myself obsessed with poetry lately. Mostly because I’ve had the amazing experience of hearing Montana Poet Laureate, Chris La Tray, speak which made poetry come alive for me again. I started down the rabbit hole of not only Chris’ poetry, but that of Jim Harrison and Ted Kooser, of Naomi Shihab Nye and Stanley Kunitz. I’ve begun collecting poetry books on my TBR pile like sprinkles on ice cream. Delectable and decadent and delicious (a nod to anyone who reads Chris’ monthly Substack).

It’s reminded me that I too wrote poetry once. Mostly in college, when Poetry Slam was all the rage. My poem at the time, repeated at every slam to much hooting and hollering, was called Poetry In Motion (of course it was, I was in college). I haven’t thought of that piece in ages, haven’t thought about creating my own poetry again either, until recently, and all thanks to Chris.

So while I don’t have any new poetry to share, I thought it would be tragically humorous to share the poem that won Poetry Slams back in 2000-ish. And please remember, no one was reading this, it was being performed, which is the only reason I can possibly imagine that it won.

Poetry In Motion

You and I,
She says,
We’re poetry in motion.

Poetry in motion, huh?
Bullshit.
We’re not poetry.

We’re Penthouse letters,
   Wet dreams,
   Cheap porn.
We’re parody,
   Fantasy,
   Mystery.

Poetry in motion?
No.
Not poetry,
Not us.

And not that your hips, lips, thighs, and tits,
Don’t inspire me,
For I’ve begun carrying mints
And shaving just a little closer,
But our bodies,
Wet, slick, sliding, riding, contract, shudder, release
Our bodies
Will never be
Good poetry.