![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/DF9IyC3.jpg)

I wanted to remind you that @papa-pepper's challenge to help @arbitrarykitten get transportation back. [Here is the challenge](https://steemit.com/challenge/@papa-pepper/steemit-i-challenge-you-to-a-duel-to-bring-back-the-cryptojeep-and-bless-arbitrarykitten)
@arbitrarykitten is our freewriting friend and supporter who got into a terrible car accident and is trying to physically recover right now. Her jeep got destroyed in the accident and we, the steemit community, can help her to replace it. Also, please go and upvote her posts.




![Freewrite band.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1520435398/jt6a6njrmhdz5elnyf26.png)

I promised that I would tell you the story about yesterday's prompt today. Here is the email it was based on:
> REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE-STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL  I am Dr. Bakare Tunde, the cousin of Nigerian Astronaut, Air Force Major Abacha Tunde. He was the first African in space when he made a secret flight to the Salyut 6 space station in 1979. He was on a later Soviet spaceflight, Soyuz T-16Z to the secret Soviet military space station Salyut 8T in 1989. He was stranded there in 1990 when the Soviet Union was dissolved. His other Soviet crew members returned to earth on the Soyuz T-16Z, but his place was taken up by return cargo. There have been occasional Progrez supply flights to keep him going since that time. He is in good humor, but wants to come home.

@carolkean had posted this to our discord home, The Isle of Write and suggested that this would make a good prompt.

Then, this happened:
> Coincidentally -
Our son released an album today, and he composed the songs the way your Freewrites work.
He started free-writing lyrics each day for 30 days. Then he'd work on the music.
Eight songs made the final cut at the end of the month.
----
> It was almost February and Layla Frankel asked Katie Bates and me if we wanted to write a song every day in Feb and send it to each other to critique them for each other. I had only ever written one song with lyrics up to that point and had never really been a singer before but I was down to try. By the end of the month I was surprised what happened and excited to share them so here are my some of favorites. Thanks to Layla and Katie for their feedback and encouragement.
credits
released March 7, 2018 license
all rights reserved


https://mileskean.bandcamp.com/releases
https://mileskean.bandcamp.com/track/https-gizmodo-com-we-found-the-best-nigerian-prince-email-scam-in-the-gal-1758786973

How cool is that!! Congratulations @carolkean and her son!!! A freewrite song lyric initiative and a song based on yesterday's prompt and released on the same day!!

Thank you @carolkean


![Freewrite band.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1520435398/jt6a6njrmhdz5elnyf26.png)



## Prompt: grocery list

* Set your timer for 5 minutes
* Start writing
* Use the hashtag #freewrite
* Publish your piece (include a link to this post if you wish)

 ### Copy and paste your URL into the comment section of the prompt post.

* Or, if you don't want to publish your freewrite, just copy and paste as a comment under the prompt post.


If you don't know what a freewrite is, [here is a link to the introduction post.](https://steemit.com/freewrite/@mariannewest/writers-or-wanna-be-writers-wanted-be-free-freewrite)

[Here is @snooks excellent tutorial on how to join our freewrite adventure](https://steemit.com/freewrite/@snook/easy-how-to-for-mariannewest-s-daily-freewrite-challenge)

And @improv's input: 
> Two things I do a little differently. I just type "timer" into google and it pops up a 5-minute timer. I also type directly into steemit. I also rarely use a photo, don't I? So that's three things.


## Please read, comment and vote (if you have voting power) on each others freewrites as much as you can. Especially if you are new to the platform, you will be surprised how many friendships are formed by reading and commenting on each other's work!

![Freewrite band.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1517291397/kptvqgbesf3fcfkly1cx.png)



## Contests by our Fellow  Freewriters

* @byn is hosting a contest to celebrate her followers. [You have a couple more days to enter](https://steemit.com/contest/@byn/500-followers-creative-writing-contest-10sbd-in-prizes)

* Our freewriting friend @hartfloe is hosting a very particular writing contest. Only 1111 characters allowed!!! [Join here](https://steemit.com/contest/@hartfloe/the-1111-writing-contest-what-magic-can-you-create-with-only-1111-characters-week-1-the-lake-top-prize-3-steem-runner-up-prizes)

* @f3nix is still giving away memberships to @steembasicincome. Check out his profile for your chance to win.

 * Our *funny, talented, intelligent, attractive, modest* writing friend @felt.buzz ( 🤪 😂 😍 who is a great friend) is hosting a writing contest on zappl!! If you don't know what that is, here is your chance to learn another application to the blockchain. [Details here](https://steemit.com/contest/@felt.buzz/zapfic-new-writing-contest-win-sbd-for-telling-a-story-in-232-characters-or-less)

* @conradt is hosting a Caption This Contest #captionthis. Find the daily picture to caption on his profile.

* @fireawaymarmot has a very special contest. Listen to his music and then, write your story!! How cool is that!!! Go to his profile for the latest prompt.

* @improv is the master of puns!  [Enter his Punday contest here](https://steemit.com/contest/@improv/punday-monday-37)

* The Constrained Writing Contest by our fellow freewriter @svashta is on! Check his blog for the latest contest. [Click here to join](https://steemit.com/constrainedwriting/@svashta/constrained-writing-contest-15-winners-of-constrained-writing-contest-14) 

* If you like a picture to be the prompt, check out the #365daysofwriting challenge hosted by @mydivathings. Every day, a new picture to entice you weave a story.


## Contests Galore 

* @moneyinfant posts a daily update of writing contests!! Go to his profile and start winning :)

* Another compilation of all kinds of contests by @artz. A new one comes out every Monday! Check the profile.



## Voting

Remember to check your voting power. Do not vote for a while if you are under 90!
https://www.steemnow.com/ or use https://steemworld.org/

[Here is an excellent article explaining how to maximize your vote by @taskmaster4450](https://steemit.com/steem/@taskmaster4450/pissing-away-hard-earned-steem-power-why). It helps you to grow to vote wisely!! [And a more recent one](https://steemit.com/voting/@taskmaster4450/upvotes-finding-the-style-that-works-for-you)

And here is a counter opinion on voting [by our freewriter @improv](https://steemit.com/steemit/@improv/math-and-steemit-voting-power)

This post is talking about using your vote for maximum curation. Thank you, Asher @abh12345 [Read the post here](https://steemit.com/steemit/@abh12345/steemit-the-curation-leagues-10-sbd-in-prizes-available)

## Bandwidth Problems

I know that many of you are very new to the platform and your wallets are pretty empty. Believe me, we all started there!! Here is an excellent article which explains what bandwidth is and why you might have a hard time logging in some days - or posting. Thank you @jrswab [for this explanation](https://steemit.com/education/@jrswab/steem-power-delegation-contest-with-an-intro-to-steem-bandwidth)

There are many contests on Steemit. From art to music to writing and everything in between. Enter as many as you can!! And take advantage of the free money people give away I listed in the money section below.

### Can one of the newer Steemians please let us know if this is still a problem?


## Great Opportunity

This is a great opportunity for those of you who are more serious about your writing and are ready to take it to the next place. The Isle of Write just announced their new project. SBD can be won and you can even make it into a print edition. [Read the details here](https://busy.org/writing/@isleofwrite/isle-of-write-curation-announcement).
An update on [how to enter your work.](https://steemit.com/writing/@isleofwrite/isle-of-write-curation-to-publication-update)

## Writing help


* A free app: Grammarly. A lot of us are not native English speakers and I am finding it a helpful app. It will underline spelling and grammar mistakes. Just remember that is is not always right -especially if you use complex sentence structures. [Here is the link](https://app.grammarly.com/)

* Remember [The Most Dangerous Writing App](http://www.themostdangerouswritingapp.com/). You set the time - 5 min - and start typing. Don’t stop!!! It will destroy what you wrote if you stop for more than 3 seconds - and backspace does not count as writing on the app. If you are prone to stop and think - this app forces you to keep going. You can make corrections after the 5 minutes are over. 

*  A timer. Egg timer is a free tool you can use on your desktop to set a time. This is useful for our freewrites or if you want to work in blocks of time and then take a break. [Here is the link](http://e.ggtimer.com/)

* Our fellow freewriter @arbitrarykitten has a business here on Steemit. Several editors are offering to edit and format your post for a small fee. [Check out their intro post](https://steemit.com/steemit/@blue-pencil/blue-pencil-editors-will-get-your-post-noticed)

* Our discord channel *Isle of Write* has workshop rooms for fiction, non-fiction, and poetry where some of the experienced writers might be able to give some tips. Join with this link https://discord.gg/zfXNRnK

* If you are ready to get serious about improving your understanding of the English language check out @majes.tytyty blog. He has lots of useful information to understand words and their roots better. If you have questions or need help, leave a comment on his blog.

* If you know of other helpful tools or people, please share with us!



## Money

There are several people who offer SBD for free on this platform! How great is that!!

Here are a few
@scrooger has a great "help the minnows" project. It is so easy!! Register by leaving a comment for an upvote - or invest into buying a lifetime upvote. [A minnow support project brought to you by @scrooger](https://steemit.com/guide/@scrooger/steemauto-full-guide-and-how-to-register)
@fisheggs - follow this account and you get upvotes at random times.
@sydesjokes - he rewards his followers with SBD for any kind of interaction with him- comment, vote, resteem. 
@craigcryptoking- he does a giveaway a few times a week. Usually, they involve commenting and/or beer.
@danielsaori - he does a comment contest. A new challenge every week.
@rexusmo - I think a few of you have started to leave links to your post. Every day, he has a cheering up post. You leave a link to a post you are proud off and you might get a reward. Keep trying!!

##  Steemit Tools
This is the most comprehensive list of applications on this blockchain I have seen. I highly recommend that you bookmark it!! I also will include it in the growing resource section in the future. [Steemit Tools](https://steemit.com/steemdev/@inquiringtimes/steem-web-resources-tools-apps-communities-ect)



## Staying Legal

This is an excellent article by @dmcamera on how to use images legally. [A must read!!](https://steemit.com/photography/@dmcamera/photo-plagiarism-how-to-avoid-it-original-photography)


## Discord

Remember, we have our own room in the Isle of Write Discord! Join us now!!!

<center>[![IOW COLOR MAP.png](https://steemit-production-imageproxy-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/DQmNihVfTnrubWwTvMtgypUFH3YH4yvj8XeiMKyU2m5GAyb)](https://discord.gg/TPh9dHM)
art and flair courtesy of @PegasusPhysics</center>

*If you like this and want more people to come out and play - resteem!*

Also, I would love it if you all check out each others #freewrite and spread some love :)

![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/ihziFLl.jpg)

Join us for the daily 5 - Minute Freewrite. Check my profile for a new prompt every day.

![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/ihziFLl.jpg)

All images are my own unless otherwise cited.

![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/ihziFLl.jpg)


My recent posts

[Figs!!!](https://steemit.com/smartphonephotography/@mariannewest/20180308t200715388z-post)

[Meet up in Old Town](https://steemit.com/steemitmeetup/@mariannewest/san-diego-steemit-meetup-on-march-4th)

[Fig Tree Pruning- Tree Tuesday](https://steemit.com/treetuesday/@mariannewest/fig-tree-pruning-tree-tuesday)

[The San Diego Meetup on Steepshot](https://steemit.com/steemitmeetup/@mariannewest/20180305t054203836z-post)

[Let’s meet up San Diego](https://steemit.com/sandiegomeetup/@mariannewest/san-diego-steemit-meetup-march-4-2018)

[Southern California Steemit Meetup](https://steemit.com/socalsteemit/@mariannewest/20180226t053948547z-post)



[Laughter Yoga for Seniors](https://steemit.com/steemiteducation/@mariannewest/laughter-yoga-with-seniors)

[Battling Cancer with the Gerson Therapy](https://steemit.com/steemiteducation/@mariannewest/battling-cancer-with-gerson-our-story)



*If you find a post after the seven days, please consider upvoting a more recent post.*




![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/ihziFLl.jpg)


center>[![Socalsteemitbanner2.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZE7uhQu8126QUsxGTrYS735YBSQoyfGqWRLd3t443uYr/Socalsteemitbanner2.jpg)](https://discord.gg/TeX8QBz)
#### #SoCalSteemit is building and supporting the Steemit community of Southern California. If you are from SoCal and are into creating quality content here on Steemit, we'd love for you to follow us @SoCalSteemit and join our group on [Discord](https://discord.gg/TeX8QBz)!</center>

![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/RUADRcP.png) [![IOW COLOR LOGO.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYc3Ncto2Q52AeT5TKxTuyoCNtYnY5Ytze7hEU8hiNonj/IOW%20COLOR%20LOGO.png)](https://discord.gg/TPh9dHM)
<center>art and flair courtesy of @PegasusPhysics</center>

![SS-pansies-EN.jpg](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1520462373/zoeseeogjqkesfntnl9w.jpg)


<center>https://i.imgur.com/E6sMhGF.gif</center>

<center><sub>Award by @japhofin8or</sub></center>


<center>![thealliance_mariannewest.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1519661966/dllaidvhae5nrsbezb6o.png)</center>
<center><sub>Thank you @enginewitty for the banner</sub></center>

<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmNpNiY6KbQj861hsD8g6kUPhVPYm3NR332AijVXtVP8es/mariannewest_red.png</center>

<center>![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/ihziFLl.jpg)</center>

Want to earn sweat coin by walking outside? [Join here](https://sweatco.in/m/marianne827343)

## Listen to [the Sustainable Living Podcast here](http://sustainablelivingpodcast.com/)!