prompts for august 2026

What’s one writing rule that you completely ignore?

One piece of writing advice you hear all the time is: Read your work aloud before you publish it.

Do I?

Not always. 🤭

I usually read through what I’ve written several times, changing words and sentences until they feel right. But actually sitting there reading the whole thing aloud? Nope. Sometimes the words just have to take their chances with the Word Gremlins. 😂

I also try not to use too much slang or shorten words unnecessarily. I like writing clearly, especially because English isn’t my first language.

But sometimes the rhythm of a poem, story or lyric demands something different.

A perfectly grammatical sentence isn’t always the one that sounds best.

Sometimes I’ll cut a word, shorten something, use slang or deliberately bend the grammar because the rhythm works better that way. And with lyrics especially, a tiny change can completely alter how a line flows with the music.

So perhaps the writing rule I really ignore is:

Rules must always be followed.

I’ll learn them. I’ll respect them.

And then, when the rhythm tells me to…

I’ll happily break them. 😂✍️

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My new song “Silenced, but not broken” is now avaliable on all streaming platforms. 💜

https://ditto.fm/silenced-but-not-broken

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With love, coffee, poetry, and stardust,

— Maggie The Afterlove Voice 💫

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If you want a reading, send me an email:

Afterlove-Voice@hotmail.com

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