Maria Hypponen

A photo of a creek emptying into a lake. The blue sky and clouds are reflected in the creek. The image is framed by fall leaves and a small spit of land.

Morning reflections.

Issue #20: In memoriam [writing lab] A death notice prompt | Reminder call for ladder-story submissions

In this issue of Petits écrits / Tiny writings, I'm sharing an obituary-themed prompt, and the piece I wrote in response as inspiration. (It's rough and not finished. I might keep going with it. Time will tell!)

Happy writing!

Issue #19: The fear is real [reflections] Digging into fears and phobias | Writing prompts in English and French

My latest issue of Petits écrits / Tiny Writings lays out eight ways a phobia can add depth and layers to your characters and your story.
petitsecrits.substack.com/p/issue-19-t...

Issue #18: Local locale [writing lab] Prompts for finding stories close to home | Reminder: call for ladder-story submissions

A whole world of story ideas is right on your doorstep — or even closer. In the latest writing lab issue of Petits écrits / Tiny writings, I challenge you to get hyperlocal with your writing.

Issue #17: Rise and shine [reflections] On how I’m making the most of my morning writing energy | Writing prompts | Morning hair and coffee

I’ve let my morning productivity slide in the last year, and my writing practice has taken the hit. In my latest Petits écrits / Tiny writings post, I share how I’m taking steps to end my lollygagging ways.

Issue #16: The micro-fiction ladder [writing lab] Playing with word-count constraints | Call for submissions

A new Writing Lab issue of Petits écrits / Tiny writings just dropped! Today’s exercise is a lot of fun. If you complete it, I invite you submit your “ladder stories” for a future special issue. ✨ Check out the post for all the details. Happy writing!

Issue #15: Are you tame or wild in your writing? [reflections] On when to be feral and when to get serious | Writing prompts in English and French | Quote of the week | One wild selfie

I tend to be pretty tame in my writing — this month, I’m going to let myself go wild. 🐯

Vibrant yellow daisies in a small glass bud vase.

These little blooms make my writing desk more inviting.

A bed of bright yellow blackeyed susans with vibrant green leaves

Good Sunday morning, Bluesky folks 🌼

Issue #14: Observing “six things” [writing lab] Enrich your writing with real-life detail

In the latest Petits écrits / Tiny writings, I share something I'm calling the “six things” exercise, inspired by writing instructor Lois J. Peterson.

petitsecrits.substack.com/p/issue-14-o...

Cover of a book called "Tam Lin" by "Pamela Dean." Illustration of a woman with dark auburn hair dressed in flowing medieval clothes.

My September ritual read.

What's yours?

#amreading

Poster for the CBC literary prizes.

🍁Hey Canadian writers! 🍁 The 2026 CBC Short Story Prize is open, and the deadline is November 1.

Rules and regs here: www.cbc.ca/books/litera...

Red text on a cream background. Text reads: “Act as if you’re a writer. Sit down and begin. Act as if you might just create something beautiful, and by beautiful I mean something authentic and universal. Don’t wait for anyone to tell you it’s okay." ~ Dani Shapiro, in "Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life"

“Act as if you’re a writer. Sit down and begin. Act as if you might just create something beautiful, and by beautiful I mean something authentic and universal. Don’t wait for anyone to tell you it’s okay.”

~ Dani Shapiro, in "Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life"

You think you have life all figured out, then they go and discontinue your favourite dental floss.

Issue #13: A season of change [reflections] A new format for Petits écrits / Tiny writings | On sunk costs and starting over | Writing prompts

Have you ever struggled with starting a piece of writing all over again? Trashing what you’ve written to start fresh is tough. But sometimes it makes space for the better story to come.
petitsecrits.substack.com/p/issue-13-a...
#writingcommunity #creativewriting

A periodical called The New Quarterly, featuring a photo of a person sitting on a wall under some trees on the cover, lays on a table. A pink mug filled with coffee sits beside it.

A good morning begins with coffee and reading.

“When Dorothy Parker Got Fired from Vanity Fair”, @jonnysemicolon on Dorothy Parker — born #onthisday in 1893 — and the beginnings of the legendary Algonquin Round Table: https://publicdomainreview.org/essay/when-dorothy-parker-got-fired-from-vanity-fair

Issue #12: Sparks and colours On what ignites your creativity, the impact of colour on your brain, and some writing prompts

All it takes is a single, vivid image or concept to ignite my creativity. The story builds itself around that spark. Is that how it starts for other writers?
petitsecrits.substack.com/p/issue-12-s...

A cat sits inside a half-zipped blue suitcase, inside a closet. Clothes hang above the suitcase.

A cat finds a suitcase (a love story)

Issue #11: There’s no wrong way On shutting down intrusive thoughts, how to make writing more fun, and six writing prompts

In Issue #11 of Petits écrits / Tiny writings: On shutting down intrusive thoughts, how to make writing more fun, and six writing prompts. Read it here: petitsecrits.substack.com/p/issue-11-t...

The printed page of a book, with yellow sticky notes indicating key passages.

“The best writing is like jumping out of a plane. I know that the parachute will open, though nothing in life is 100 per cent certain. I just have to get out there, count to three, and pull the rip cord.” ~ Margaret Springer, on courage and writing

This piece is by my friend and fellow Restless Writer, Andrea Montgomery. ⚘️

A book with a red cover, entitled "Magpie Murders" by Anthony Horowitz, sits atop a table with a partially completed jigsaw puzzle

Read, puzzle, read, puzzle, read, puzzle, ad infinitum.

Oh, and write sometimes too.

Four books, stacked vertically on a white table. A window with open blinds is in the background.

A micro-fiction, book-spine inspired:

...

I can't sleep. Is it the demon of unrest? Or just the 206 bones, buried in my secret garden?

...

#microfiction #bookspinefiction #bookspinepoetry

A hand holding a book entitled "Medusa's Ankles: Selected Stories" by A.S. Byatt

I just found my copy of A.S. Byatt's "Medusa's Ankles: Selected Stories" hiding under a Ken Follett doorstopper in my tbr pile. 😱 I had forgotten all about it. Shameful!

If you say that maybe I buy too many books if I lose track of them so easily, you and I are no longer friends.

Issue #10: Field trip On learning more about your characters, identifying the “B” that’s in your way, and five writing prompts

To get to know one of my characters better, I sent him to the zoo, a job interview, a funeral, and a cottage. What I learned helped me figure out his role in the story. Where would you send your characters?

petitsecrits.substack.com/p/issue-10-f...

#writingcommunity #writinginspiration

Blue text on a light grey background, reads: [T]he composer Nicolo Paganini could compose only if he had a blanket over his head. Who cares? What wonderful music he composed under his blanket! ... If you, too, need a blanket over your head to do your art, then claim your blanket!" ~ Pat Schneider, writer, poet, writing teacher, and editor

What proverbial blanket do you need to do your art? For me it's music without lyrics, a bottomless cup of coffee, and a deadline.

A hand holds open a book. On the left page is a colour plate showing Lancelot and Guinevere. On the right page is the title page of the book: Tales of the Round Table.

I just found my copy of the 1930 printing of “Tales of the Round Table” from Longmans, Green and Co., which sparked my lifelong obsession with Arthurian stories and legends. Yet so far, I've never written a story or poem inspired by these tales. Time to change that. ✨️

Issue #9: No wasted words On spending your creativity budget, harnessing summer’s creative energy, and four writing prompts

Do you think writing that doesn't contribute to your WIP is a waste of time? In the latest issue of Petits écrits / Tiny Writings, I share some ideas for keeping your writing practice fresh and exciting.

petitsecrits.substack.com/p/issue-9-no...

A woman reads a magazine, only the top of her hat is visible behind the cover. Greenery is visible in the background.

Hold my calls. It's time for the @thewalrus.ca Summer Reading issue!