Paragraph Planet is a creative writing website that has been posting an exact 75-word paragraph everyday since November of 2008. Writers of all levels are invited to submit a blip of writing or a segment of larger scale text. Contributors are then contacted directly if they are selected for a certain day. The website includes an archive of approximately 1400 published examples for prospective writers to refer to as well as forums containing interviews and advice from contributing authors.
EWLP sophomore Isabela Maesano was published on Paragraph Planet on September 19th of this year. 'They Were Just Girls' is a poignant snapshot of girlhood with allusions to pagan imagery. Isabela explained that, "the Salem Witch Trials were on my mind a lot that week when I decided to write the paragraph." Although it is only a mere 75 words in length, Isabela does a masterful job of immersing the reader in an evocative scene dripping with mysticism and melancholy. Isabela went on to express that, "I had never heard of Paragraph Planet or considered submitting anything online, but it was really a pleasant surprise to get an email from the site to say they wanted to publish it."
With its witchy themes and atmosphere, 'They Were Just Girls' was loosely inspired by a micro-fiction Isabela wrote in a Fiction Genre course taught by Professor McCord at AUR. Isabela stated that, "That was where I learned about Paragraph Planet. We were drafting micro-fictions and the site was a helpful reference point, so I ultimately decided to submit to it."
Isabela encourages others to submit to the site even if you aren't particularly confident about your writing. It is an accessible and relaxed outlet for any and all who are creatively inclined. In closing, Isabela has this to say; "Being concise is the challenge. The strict 75-word parameters may be a little daunting, but if you can pull it off, it turns out to be really satisfying."
For more information about submitting to Paragraph Planet, the EWLP faculty and students encourage you to visit https://www.paragraphplanet.com/index.php Good luck!
Comments