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The Faithful, Funeral Food and No Devils Allowed…

The Faithful, the Funeral Food and No Devils Allowed!

It’s astonishing how quickly, word gets out that Circle has been Broken. A loved one has passed from this Life to the Next. Before a tear forms, usually before the arrangements have even been made- the Faithful Food Bearers start polishing silver, bringing out the Pyrex dishes labeled with masking tape, all the serve ware, plates, cups and utensils, box graters and cake knives are lined up, even the table layout has been decided. It’s been said that, ‘when words fail us, we bring food.’

The Etiquette of Deep South Bereavement Buffet has it’s own solemn rules. Unspoken codes of conduct. Those who arrange these buffets consider it a sacred duty and it is.

Someone, somewhere is pulling out the best starched cloths for the tables. These faithful servants are the backbone of the community. They know the traditions, the foods, the rules for these solemn occasions. It’s a magnificent display of servanthood. A service for the bereaved family, friends, the community. It’s what they do. It’s the southern way. Live. Die, get Fed.

The Faithful tend to have two factions, the upper end types, who use heirloom silver, footed buffet holders for the casserole dishes, chafing dishes, candelabras, floral displays with tasteful flowers. Then, there’s the down-to-earth types, they use plainer serve ware, the best paper plates and napkins, even cups. The food for the Faithful doesn’t change much regardless of which group. Sometimes both are involved. It’s a beautiful custom. Piney Grove’s facilities often host bereavement buffets, though sometimes the bereavement buffets are ‘At-Homes’, the home of the bereaved. Someone will know which is preferred.

The Faithful are also Food Bearers and Servers. Some work mostly in the kitchen, others serve at the buffet- there’s usually a Matriarch or two watching with an eagle eye. I hate to say it, because their work is so important, but ‘don’t mess with these ladies’. Just do what you’re told, wear something decent and keep your composure.

There are rules for Food Delivery. The Delivery is done by the Food Bearers. They should Never ring the front doorbell and demand to see the family with their offering. No, discreetly deliver the food at the back door or side porch, quietly handing it to the coordinator or a neighbor. Quiet is the operative word. The Food Bearers know to enter quietly. The food should be prepared in advance, in reasonable portions. That includes the meats, the sides and breads.

There are a few Rules here: Examples include-Ham Biscuits, with thinly sliced ham, and tiny biscuits, must be prepared and covered in foil. The Pound Cakes should not be pre-sliced. Some sides may be served individually. And, for heaven’s sake! The Food Servers do not make clattering noises with ice or tongs. Also, Do not try to pile everything on the tables at once- it’s tacky. Servers are supposed to quietly refresh the platters and remove serving dishes that are almost empty. It’s always risky with the choice of Food Servers. We cannot have Mistie Mac wielding a silver cake knife, even if she’s making a valid point. We cannot have Food Servers who hold up the line with too much conversation. Remember the dearly departed, and have compassion on the bereaved family. Grief is often a silent companion. Let’s comport ourselves with compassion and courtesy.

________________________________________________________________________________________

The Funeral Food Rules

There are many rules concerning Funeral Food. Some of it depends on whether the family is faithful to Piney Grove Church and Cemetery or attend Lone Wolf Lake Church. *Piney Grove tends to be on the upper end of things and Lone Wolf, well.. they have regular dinner on the grounds. I think you get the idea. The main thing is to respect the wishes of the bereaved family. It is a good idea to check in with a family member, so the Food Bearers and Food Servers know what to expect from the facility or the home. One group will want a more formal service and buffet. The others are quaint hometown gatherings. There are usually ‘Martha’ types who know these things, and the right things to do.

No matter where the bereavement buffet is held, there are Rules that should be followed. *You may want to save this portion.

Grief steals the energy of the bereaved. Funeral Food should feature foods that are delicious served hot, cold or at room temperature. This rule alone ensures that the kitchen remains a quiet sanctuary by eliminating the exhausting clatter of pots, the steam of heating food, the physical safety hazard is removed from reheating hot casseroles. Try to remain discreet, as quiet as possible and refrain from outbursts of any kind, in the kitchen or pantry. Yes, it’s a celebration of a life well lived; yet, it is definitely not comedy hour.

When in immediate mourning, throats are tightened, the appetite disappears. Food must be soft and effortless to eat. Dishes requiring knives should be avoided. Everything on the bereavement buffet should be easy to pick up or softly scooped with a serving spoon, even picked up gracefully with a fork or fingers. A funeral repast should be designed around physical preservation, deep reverence, and ease. Please make note of the word ‘preservation’. The Bereavement Buffet could easily go off the rails, just by using the word ‘pickled’ instead of ‘preserves’. There is an etiquette concerning the words we use, especially when it comes to the appropriate bereavement foods.

The Food is where ‘No Devils are Allowed’ This is very important! Please make note of these Food Rules. It is totally inappropriate to serve Pit Barbeque, Chargrilled or Smoked anything, foods that even hint at ‘darkness’ or are overly spicy. This is a short list:

Devilled Eggs- exchange those for Stuffed Eggs. (I know there is practically no difference- still avoid the term.) Devil’s Food Cake. I don’t care is Mary Louise’s mother-in-law made the best Devil’s Food Cake in the county, substitute- Sue Pie’s Chocolate Fudge Cake. *or get permissions from the mother-in-law to rename her famous cake, be prepared to be told ‘no’. A reminder here: No ‘Dirt Cake’ or Mississippi Mud Cake either. Keep away from anything that might suggest a Dark Grave. Stomachs weakened by grief, don’t need Anything that could cause indigestion or curdling, from the mere mention of darkness. It’s just not fitting.

Pickled Peaches. Avoid ‘pickled’ anything. Please substitute with the nicer term- Preserves. If someone wants to provide the Ham? Remind them, it must be Baked Ham, not smoked. Roasted Turkey is nice as well. Definitely not Smoked or Deep Fried. It isn’t the right fit. And there’s this: Highly seasoned dishes are considered a social offense for funeral food. Remember, Funeral Food is meant to signify a peaceful, heavenly journey- a literal heavenly repast.

These rules are to avoid a crisis of ettiquette. Remember do not use any word or ingredient that carries even a hint of the underworld. There will be absolutely nothing with a hint of H-e-double L, insinuated in the food line. There should also be a ban on heavy hickory smoke, fried garlic, heavy onions or strong vinegar marinades. These scents can linger, filling a heavy atmosphere with suffocating kitchen odors. *I don’t care if these foods were ‘his favorites’ or her ‘flavor palette’.. be aware of strong spices or odors filtrating the space of the bereaved.

It might be 95 degrees outside and as hot as the devil’s back doorknob, but there will be only heavenly glory permitted on the bereavement buffet line.

So, what is allowed? Food will be served with quiet reverence. The buffet line can have sweet tea sandwiches as shown above. I know they look festive, the point here is that even the bereaved need to have their spirits lifted, even in the heaviness of grief. Foods need to be soft, easy to digest, not intimidating to eat, instead, the food should be as effortless as possible.

Let’s start with the Dessert Table. Angel Food Cake, Pound Cake, Fruit pies or cobblers, Lemon Bars or a delicate dessert featuring Citrus, like the Southern Lemon Cheese Cake- a rare white layer cake filled with lemon curd.. these desserts act like a healing balm. It’s uplifting. It cuts right through the emotional fog of the day, offering a gentle sunny spark of refreshment to someone who has forgotten what a smile looks like or an Unclouded Day. Speaking of refreshment, make sure to keep any beverages– simple and easy to pour and consume.

But remember: Absolutely no dark connotations. Make sure the Pound Cake isn’t sliced ahead of time, and make sure the cake server is a calm discreet person while wielding a serrated knife for the pound cake and angel food cakes.

The Buffet Line. Pickup Foods first. The key word here is tiny. Tiny Tea Sandwiches, Tiny Angel Rolls, Tiny Ham Biscuits. Heavy mounds of Bread are downright tacky, not to mention it looks overwhelming to someone whose stomach is tied in knots of grief. Tiny portions look manageable, elegant and dignified. Relish Trays. Offer a bit of freshness and crunch. Again, preserves are allowed- nothing pickled or spicy.

The Comfort Foods. These are usually kept warm in chafing dishes. Let there be, Macaroni and Cheese, light as a feather, made with lots of eggs, Softly Mashed Potatoes, if kept warm and smooth. Potato Salad might be going over to the dark side. Summer Squash Frittata Squares are easy to serve, even kept at room temperature. Green Bean Bundles. A bowl of Pink Fluff, a rich cranberry congealed salad, Heavenly Hash and an absolute must, is Mimi’s Apricot Casserole. *Fried Chicken is often served. I find this to be in the iffy category. The pieces of chicken should be small enough to be considered finger foods and should definitely Not be Spicy. Make sure there are spirit lifting foods throughout the Buffet Line.

The Bereavement Buffet table is done with Honor, Comfort, Grace and should be a safe, soothing buffer against life’s harsh realities. A True Work of Heart.

Love y’all, Camellia

*Piney Grove and Lone Wolf churches are fictional. Please note: This is Southern Humor post, mostly from bygone eras.

Camellia has written about many of the foods listed here. Mimi’s Apricot Casserole is a perennial favorite, Green Bean Bundles, Mimi’s Award Winning Pimento Cheese (which frankly is too spicy for a bereavement buffet- though cut the spices down a bit and they’re still wonderful for the Tea Sandwiches shown in the opening photo) Pink Fluff is an odd combination- though it is beloved, Summer Squash Frittatas, Mary Sue’s Lemon Cheese Cake *this is Not a cheesecake, it’s a white layer cake, filled and iced with Lemon Curd.

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Prologue: The Passing, The Protocols and the Pearls…

Let me say this first, before we dip into the 3 Part Series, mostly from bygone eras, about Southern Funerals. There is nothing funny about Dying. Grief is Real. Loss is a heavy heart burden on the soul; and I respect the solemn occasion of the Passing of Loved Ones.

However: There’s this, Southerners don’t like to say, ‘Goodbye’. And, there are funny things about how our Southern Mothers handle the Passings, the Funerals and the Goodbyes. A Passing is not just a time for mourning, it’s a logistical feat worthy of only three occasions, when a community is spurred into action at this level- Weddings, Christenings and of course, Funerals.

I’m gonna talk ‘southern’ to you for a minute, before I get carried away here.. Southerners will do or say almost anything rather than say ‘Goodbye’. I’m trying to tell you something you may not know. A lot of us, have a superstitious streak and saying ‘goodbye’ is just one of those unlucky things we try to avoid. I end these missives with ‘Love y’all’ – it just seems nicer than ‘That’s All She Wrote.’

If you get me started on the Passings or Funerals. Let’s just say, we have an aversion to sayin’.. ‘He died.’ No, we say, ‘She passed away’ or ‘we lost him’ .. or ‘now that Grandmama’s gone.’ Or- ‘Can you believe it’s been 10 years since Daddy left us?’ It’s confusing, though, Please Don’t Ask- ‘Where did you lose him?’ or ‘why did he leave’ Why? It might provoke a Sinking Spell or worse. One cookbook I have- has a section on Funeral Food– it includes, not one but two recipes for Sinking Spells. Yes, it’s a thing.

We try to find the most ‘delicate’ ways to avoid saying the actual word – Death. There are many ways southerners avoid saying ‘Goodbye’. Whether it’s going home, or to the grave. It’s just so final, you know.

There’s a Social Etiquette, The Rules, the Protocols. I won’t be covering All of these in the upcoming- 3 Part Series. These Protocols are expected to be Enforced with Precision. The Obituary, the Preparations at the Funeral Home, the Final Resting Place. There are always ‘debates and debacles’. Rich Traditions, including the discreet or indiscreet Sympathy Line at the Funeral Home.

‘Where will we sit that special chair for Mama to sit in? You know her ankles swell, and it’s just not fitting for her to stand, in the state she’s in.’ Someone has to be in charge, when we are experiencing these heavy transitions- From the Obituary, Sign In Book, to the whispered conversations, the Viewing, the Fashion Protocols.. let’s Dip in:

“Did you hear? gasp ‘I didn’t’.

Who will be making the arrangements? ‘The service will be held in the old Sanctuary- it was her favorite; with Church Fans. ‘Thank you, Lord.’ *that’s a prayer. The Air Conditioning hasn’t worked since 1984.’ The arrangements will be conducted by the Piney Grove Funeral Home, with Interment in the Founding Members section of the Piney Grove Cemetery.

The Obituary? Oh, I heard her best friend wrote it. She was a columnist years ago, in the Piney Grove Social Section. Famous for her sign off- ‘A Good Time was had by All.’ *surely she won’t add that. Someone said the obituary, ‘will be just like her. Of course, she wanted her final photo to be of her- wearing her Head Majorette Uniform.’ *did I hear a hiss?

‘Well, we All know she dressed like a Dream. Always looked like she stepped right out of a bandbox, but really?’ (voice goes up two octaves) And, why would they say? ‘She enjoyed shopping at Bargain Town U.S.A.’ sigh.. ‘Much less add – she was a strong advocate for Literacy in this county. She even drove the Bookmobile every Thursday for a while.’ *You take major risks with the Obituary Writer.

Then, there are the Pearls and Fashion Choices. Before the first tear falls, the wardrobes must be curated. The Waterproof Mascara that actually works must be bought. And, wouldn’t you know? The first thing you see are the Twins. The twins are older than Grist Mills over the mountain. They decided, of all things, to wear ‘Ivory Silk’ dresses. They always dress alike. Though, really? To a funeral in October, of all things! No, the women’s attire must be heavily starched Black Linen Dresses at a Decent Length. Pearls. Hats are allowed, just make sure yours isn’t so big, that No One can see the Choir Loft because of your Hat!

Dressing the Corpse. There is a major exception to wearing Black. The corpse may wear whatever was her favorite color, though, not Black. And make sure, the color won’t make her look wan and pale under those harsh lights of the funeral parlor, which can cast an unnatural pallor, plus, the lipstick choices must be chosen carefully too.

There’s a thin line between Tacky or Tasteful especially Funeral Tasteful or Funeral Tacky. *I wrote a 3-part series on Tacky or Tasteful fashion choices, several years ago.

Listen in again: ‘I heard her hairdresser of decades will be fixing her hair. No, it won’t be the latest style she wore. She asked for that Pompadour Sweep Over she wore years ago. You know, she was always so self conscious about her height. Still, I hope she will look Natural.’ *They secretly hope she hasn’t asked to wear that fake leopard muff to conceal her hands, folks worry about the hands. ‘Well, it’s better than Earlene Odene telling everybody who would listen- she wanted to wear one of those pretty negligees, Buck had given her through the years’. ‘She’s not Dead, she’s just Sleeping.’ was her motto. They will probably add that to her Tombstone.

If Big Momma isn’t leaving us; it’s the Men we have to worry about. Their Fashion Choices. We make an exception for the menfolks in attendance- Heavy Starched Overalls and his Best Sunday Shirt are acceptable, in some cases. *Maybe he attended Lone Wolf Lake Chapel. Though, wearing that-as a corpse?

Take- PawPaw. He had his ways. The Rules say- his attire must not conflict with the casket. Would he prefer his best Sunday Suit? Or- will they let him wear his Fishing Vest and Plaid Shirt, so St. Peter will recognize him. PawPaw had always said, ‘St. Peter was a fisherman, I don’t think he would mind when he sees me in my fishing vest, at the Pearly Gates.’

The Ultimate Test of Character in a Southern family, is the dividing of the spoils. Watch out for the Sisters and the Aunts while you’re making the arrangements at the funeral home. Make sure, no one, including- Mary Beth, with her sweet face and sweeter smile, hasn’t started dividing up the Jewelry of the Deceased before the cemetery plot is even dug. There’s always at least one who has been eyeing the Cocktail Rings, the Pearls, the Jewels right in the presence of the deceased, for heavens sake! You might hear a whisper. ‘You know, Gertrude always wanted Me to have the emeralds..’ Ruth Ann, pipes up- ‘Well, she promised me those South Sea Pearls, Arnold gave them to her, when he got back from the South Pacific.’

Then, there’s the grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Insisting to anyone who will listen, ‘You know I was her favorite.’ Entirely unaware that Big Momma told every single blood relative, not to mention the ones she claimed kin to– They were her ‘favorite’ just to keep the peace and make sure the grass was cut!

There are two types of Matriarchs that make sure Funeral Protocols are done, and done right- The uppity but precise- Mary Maude Morton, and the cold stone Freesia Faye Butler. Both are in the historical society, some call it the ‘hysterical society.’ They both serve on the Cemetery Committee.

And there’s this: No matter how caring, compassionate and careful Piney Grove Funeral Home is- If either Mary Maude Morton or Freesia Faye Butler, objects-The County Coroner and the State Records and Certificates have been told in no uncertain terms that ‘unless’ Miss Morton or Miss Butler file a written notice that the Proper Protocol has been followed- ‘Do Not. I repeat Do Not issue a Death Certificate.’

That means no one is leaving or passing over the Jordan River, if you get my drift, until Mary Maude or Freesia Faye are satisfied.

There is More to Passing, Protocols and the Pearls. Though, your patience may be wearing thin. So, I want to make sure you know that- Next up is the Three Part Series- Flowers, Food and the Restorative Cocktail.

Love y’all, Brenda

I would add that Writing Humor is one of more than a dozen Writing Techniques I teach, in ‘Writing Content with Confidence’ . Why teach that many? Well, it’s to help you find your Voice.

The Writing Sanctuary is my favorite part of this course. It’s a weekly, private chat group. There is no Zoom, no cameras, no recordings, no mandatory attendance. A Gathering around a Writing Prompt. *enrollees in the course, automatically have a seat!

I’ve been told that the Writing Sanctuary is worth the price of the whole course, which is $97 USD. I am in there weekly, along with others. Even seasoned writers enjoy this group! Thank you again for being here!

Posted on by Camellia's Cottage

Three Things You Need Always

Three Things you Need Always

No matter what you Do, Create or Offer, in your Life or Work.

You need:

  • Instinct
  • Intuition
  • Imagination

The 3 Gifts.

Instinct has the Grit to speak it’s Mind, before you have a Chance to Doubt. Intuition has the Grace to gently walk beside you, nudging you in the right Direction, if you will listen. Imagination is that playful Friend who Guides your Creativity.

These Gifts don’t have to be earned. They are your Inside Voices. Priceless Friends. I’m convinced that at a certain age- we’ve either left these Gifts behind Or.. We have cultivated the friendship and the companionship of Instinct, Intuition and Imagination to guide us toward our next chapter- Our Second Act.

No longer dreaming- Designing a Creative Legacy, whatever form that takes. “Is it too Late?’ I heard you say that. No. These Gifts have always been there.

How to access them- Get Quiet. You will begin to Hear them and have the Grace and Grit to allow them to Guide you.

Instinct, Intuition and Imagination don’t ever Really go away. They wait patiently until we recognize their significance. Then, bit by bit we regain the Trust we need to use them, creatively.

Which one do you like best? Bossy Instinct? Gracious Intuition prefers to guide quietly..until she gets insistent. Or Playful Imagination? She’s usually the life of the Party! I need them All! Why?

Because the ideal is that these 3 Things Work together, for you. For you. By blending the Grit of your lived experiences alongside the Grace of your Inner Guide, you will transform your natural Instinct, Intuition and Imagination into a creative Legacy that speaks clearly to the world and stands the test of Time.

Inside ‘Writing Content with Confidence’ my online course.. It’s the End of Someday.. you know that drawer full of ideas you have? Isn’t it Time that you bring them out? Share them with the world. I hope you will. Check that link to see if it’s something you may want to add to your writing skills. Meanwhile…

I have some News You Can Use!

Where do you think Long Form Writing ranks right now? Consumer interest has it at #1! And, there’s this: Instagram is in the top 5 of Search Engines. Plus, it’s still, the Best Place for new or small businesses to share what they Do, Create or Offer! As Seth Godin said, ‘It’s not about the Stuff you Sell, it’s about the Stories you tell’.

So, keep writing and telling those stories! I’m here to help if you need it.

Love y’all, Brenda

P.S. I have a weekly newsletter, if this is something you would like to receive, leave your email address in the comments Or send me an email – just type NEWLETTER in the subject line at brenda@brenda-wyatt.com

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In the Age of AI, Your Voice is Your Legacy

Hi, I'm Brenda Wyatt Writer, Author, Blogger and Course Creator

To my Incredible community of writers and bloggers:

Thank you for being here. After over 500 posts, over a decade now- You have read my stories. I’m So grateful for the space you have given me, here. Today, I want to talk about the future of Words. We are living through a time, when a machine can generate content in mere seconds. The silent question we all share is:

Does my human voice still matter? Is pen to paper a Lost Art? The resounding answer is Yes. More than ever! Your unique human perspective is your greatest Asset in 2026. An interesting fact: Stationary Shops are having a big moment. Paper, Pens, Notebooks, Journals! Here’s Why your Voice, your genuine Words matter.

Human generated Words are Words written with a Purpose. AI is a Prompt that a Human has written.

My Journey:

I have always believed the my work should speak for itself. I focused on the craft of writing, words on a page. *Literally writing with a pen on paper before typing it here or as I wrote my book. I believed in the Integrity of the Stories. Even the humorous posts, came from ‘lived experiences’. The awards along the way were wonderful confirmations for me.

I need to clarify here: I wasn’t new to Marketing; I was new to Writing in a Public format. I had spent 30+ years in high end retail and also with visual display and branding. That experience is why I created my first online course: Be Unforgettable! A Guide to Visual Marketing.

Before that course, I had written a book, published in 2014, and struggled to Learn How to write a Blog in 2016. A few years ago, I realized something: It’s not enough to write a beautiful message if that message can’t find it’s readers. I had taken a wonderful Online Course for social media. I struggled with Social Media. I kept going. I had joined a few Challenges. I was building a community there.

The popular advice for writers was far too generic. The focus was rushed, focused on algorithm hacks over Authenticity. My motto became: ‘Become a Trusted Resource.’ Which I will always Believe. Now, we have been told the focus in 2026 is Authentic, Trustworthy, Real. That’s a Good Thing. Since Bots are showing up faster than even the best algorithms can keep up with or eradicate.

I decided we needed a better way for Writers, with Purpose. Apply Image Driven Words. We needed a place focused on legacy, not quick fixes or hacks. I created my second online course- ‘Writing Content with Confidence’. Born out of Years of Work and Writing. I knew I had Tools to Offer.

It’s a guided experience- more than a dozen ways to craft a message, plus Images drive the Written Content and Color starts Writing the Story before a word is written. It’s a blend of Writing and Marketing, authentically, in a Trustworthy way.

Writing now, as unsettling as it is, in the current environment of lots of noise, lots of hacks, lots of bots, lots of AI- our Perspective Shifts. Often, we are looking back with Nostalgia or adopting a forward-looking Mindset. We need both. We need Writers like you!

Perspective. Looking back? or Forward facing?

My Writing Course was soft launched in the Fall of 2025. I have had several beta testers going through along with some students. I realized something. Yes, it’s ‘go at your own pace, lifetime access’ and that’s great. And the introductory price is low at $47. Yet my intuition was telling me that Writers need a Sanctuary.

Are you asking: Why tell Bloggers, who are Writers about this? Well, even seasoned writers who have had a first look say, ‘Man, this has a Lot of Stuff in here!’ or that they never imagined it would also have Marketing Advice along with the Writing Content. *There is even a section on ‘Product Shots’ Yes, writers need solitude, yet they also need a safe space, with a community of other writers, who may also be artists and creatives too!

So, I am adding the Writing Sanctuary for the official relaunch February 10, 2026. I added a Private Chat Group for my first online course and most have told me that Private Group is worth the price of the course! With the new Writing Course, this private group will be called, the Writing Sanctuary, a quiet private space right inside Instagram. Find me @brendawyatt_

I plan to be in the Writing Sanctuary at least weekly, to have ‘Ask Me Anything’ or Encourage Writers to Write also offer prompts and more. In my other group, members follow each other and encourage one another, become friends, their most ardent cheerleaders.

I am opening the Doors to the Writing Sanctury:

The Doors are Open for the Writing Sanctuary

There will be a price adjustment from introductory $47 to $97 to reflect the added benefit on February 9. (There is Lifetime Access, the Course is completely open, no waiting for another lesson to drop, Go at your own pace. No zoom meetings.)

Founding Members will enjoy all of the benefits, including the Private Group at the Introductory Price. *of course, that also means extra support while it’s new.

The Doors are Open now, until February 10,2026. *To take advantage of the additional benefit of the Writing Sanctuary- Join us now, before the Rate Changes.

I am here to help you feel confident enough to share your Legacy. You’re writing one, you know you are.

Your Stories need to be Written. They need to be Shared. Even your Recipes! Those Stories may not even be in the genre you’re writing now! All the best in 2026!

Love y’all, Brenda aka ‘Camellia’ and yes, I still make cornbread!

REMINDER: Founding Rate: $47 USD *rate adjustment deadline is February 9. $97 USD. I hope You will join us! If you would like to receive my Newsletter: send me an email! brenda@brenda-wyatt.com

Find out more about the course here: Write Content with Confidence

And, if you’re on Instagram Find More @brendawyatt_

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Writing Prompts! Pumpkins this Time..

Let’s Write About Pumpkins!

Hello! it’s been a while!

Well.. it’s October! 

And Pumpkins are all over the place! 

Worldwide, folks have a love affair with pumpkins and their warty cousins, the gourds! 

Pumpkin everything, it seems! 

I recently shared a post on Instagram- @brendawyatt_ a fun post called – Pick a Pumpkin! There were 7 images of Pumpkins- numbered. I asked them to pick their favorite pumpkin! Then I had instructions for the Writing Challenge with Pumpkin Prompts!

So, now I’m challenging All of you Writers, to give this a try? Why? it’s fun and really, sometimes we just need to Write for the Fun of it.

Most of us, including the Writers here, need Ideas! This one is Fun! And who knows? It may inspire you for your own post or more than one!

A few Tips!

1. The Texture- add details- not just ‘smooth and taunt’, the pumpkin also has a stem- what does that stem feel like? or the Inside of the Pumpkin? a totally different texture! right?

2. Sound. This is a good writing exercise. Why? Describe the ‘Thump’ as a baritone, or give it an adjective- The Thump was solid and strong. Or, I was expecting the Thump to sound hollow.. *finish the sentence.

3. With descriptive writing- What a pumpkin feels like inside? You decide? Will it be? Mushy. ‘I didn’t like the mess!’ or ‘I think the pumpkin didn’t like it that I was disturbing her insides!’ (that’s human characteristics) Which brings me to

4. Give your Pumpkin human characteristics– this is where the Fun really begins! ‘They always said, I’d be a Beauty when I grew up.’ or ‘I’ve always had a problem with my weight, now they tell me that my weight is my biggest asset!’ *I could go on and on… let’s get to

5. Describe the Color of the Pumpkin. Pumpkins come in various colors, especially now. You’ll see everything, from a ghostly white pumpkins, to a pale green, to dark, medium or pale orange. Describe the Color. Imagine your audience doesn’t have an Image to go by. Or, use color psychology! *I teach this, so I can tell you, Orange is almost always a ‘good hostess’.. off you go! Look up the other colors and when you describe your pumpkin, help me see it!

6. This is Emotion. It’s always good to practice Emotional Storytelling. Is the Pumpkin feeling anxious about leaving the Pumpkin Patch? or the Pumpkin excited to find a new home? You know how to do this!

7. Tell us Why you chose your Pumpkin. This one is getting close to home! You should write the emotions you felt choosing that particular pumpkin. What you are dreaming of using it for- decor? carving? toasting fresh pumpkin seeds? or you felt ‘the children would like it?

I don’t know about you, when I’m stuck? or have Writer’s Block– Sometimes, it’s just better to do something New! and Remember why we enjoy Writing in the first place! Drumroll please… I haven’t had writer’s block, I’ve been writing big Time!

BIG NEWS! I’ve been creating a New Online Course! It’s called ‘Writing Content with Confidence’ check it out, if you’d like to know more. It’s affordable, I promise!

The course starts out with a Challenge, it’s called the Writer’s Toolkit. And it has 3 Ways to Shake Loose Some Words! Another way of saying- If you’ve been Stuck or you feel your Writing could use an upgrade- I think they call it a ‘glow-up’ these days! And.. it’s a full blown course, not just a video and one measly download.

*If you’re signed up for my newsletter list? You received a bonus- October Prompts! November Prompts will be coming along soon! I hope to do the same to finish out December!

If you think you’d like to be on the newsletter list here’s the Form for my Newsletter! https://app.kit.com/forms/designers/5528529/edit!

I hope you’ll sign up! So many places to Write these days! Thank you, in advance for signing up!

Love y’all, Brenda