I have found it fun, and good practice, to enter writing contests–big and small. Writing from a writing prompt or a theme is a good discipline and it gives me a reason to write some of my most creative work. Most contests have a requirement of original (not previously published) work. Some include personal blogs, others do not, and still others do not specify. I will start posting some of my short stories and poetry as soon as I am sure there will be no conflict. However, I have one that I will post this week that I did not write for any reason other than the fun of writing. Look for A Solitary Place coming soon.