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Maria Hypponen

@mhypponen.bsky.social
131 followers 163 following 91 posts

Writer, indexer, creativity mentor. 🇨🇦 I write short stories about confused hearts and the things that might have been. On Substack: petitsecrits.substack.com

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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
“All you have to do,” Shirley advised, “is write one sentence after another and -- voila! A novel.” ~ from Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson
Photo os book pages. Focus on text that reads, “All you have to do,” Shirley advised, “is write one sentence after another and -- voila! A novel.”
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"Don't stop doing writing practice. It's what keeps you in tune, like a dancer who does warmups before dancing or a runner who does stretches before running. Runners don't say, 'Oh, I ran yesterday. I'm limber.' Each day they warm up and stretch." ~ Natalie Goldberg
Yellow text on a light grey background. Text reads: "Don't stop doing writing practice. It's what keeps you in tune, like a dancer who does warmups before dancing or a runner who does stretches before running. Runners don't say, 'Oh, I ran yesterday. I'm limber.' Each day they warm up and stretch." ~ Natalie Goldberg
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
New from Petits écrits / Tiny writings -- Issue #26: Grab the audacity [reflections]. How to make imposter syndrome your creative superpower + writing prompts in English and French
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #26: Grab the audacity [reflections]
Make imposter syndrome your creative superpower | Writing prompts in English and French
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Quote by Alexander Chee in blue font on a light background: "Everyone has a novel in them, people like to say. They smile when they say it, as if the novel is special precisely because everyone has at least one. Think of a conveyor belt of infant souls passing down from heaven, rows of tired angels pausing to slip a paperback into their innocent,  wordless hearts."
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
“Let the world burn through you. Throw the prism light, white hot, on paper.” ~ Ray Bradbury
Black text on an off-white background, with yellow accents. Text reads: “Let the world burn through you. Throw the prism light, white hot, on paper.” ~ Ray Bradbury
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Coffee, chocolate, and a craft book to start a mini writing retreat. It's tough to stay inside when the sun is calling, but I will persevere.
A cup of coffee and a stack of books sit on a windowsill. A pair of glasses is perched on the books. Outside, beyond the window panes, a sunny field beckons.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
The Brant Street Pier in Burlington, Ontario, emerging from late afternoon fog, seen from the east.
A photo of a sculptural tower on a pier that extends over a lake. A stony beach is in the foreground. The mood is tranquil and melancholy.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
In this week's Petits écrits / Tiny writings writing lab, I challenge you to pull inspiration from a piece of art in your own home. It's a fun exercise that can take you in surprising directions.
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #25: Borrowing from art [writing lab]
Taking inspiration from what’s around you | Short fiction: "Red Tower"
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Meet your active spirit / inside a star #randomactsofpoetry
Words cut out of a magazine are arranged on a corkboard. The words read: meet you active spirit inside a star.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
What little action are you taking today to make progress on your creative writing?
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #24: Layer upon layer [reflections]
Chipping away at a big project | Writing prompts in English and French
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
"The beautiful part of writing is that you don't have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon." ~ Robert Cormier
Dark pink text reads: "The beautiful part of writing is that you don't have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon." ~ Robert Cormier
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Sunday is for swans.
Swans swim in a cold blue lake. Snow covers the rocky shoreline. Branches in the foreground frame a bright blue sky.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
This is a lesson I need to take to heart: "Perhaps the most stubborn myth behind story creation is that ideas are something precious to cling onto, as if they are rare. They're really not. Ideas are a dime a dozen, and you should treat them as such." ~ Mary Kole, in "How to Write a Book Now"
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
"Combine and serve" is my go-to cooking technique. Things don't always turn out so well when I take the same approach with my writing.
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #23: A recipe for disaster [reflections]
When the one-pot approach doesn’t work out | Writing prompts in English and French | Barn cats
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Getting inspired by a moody lake today.
Small waves ripple the surface of a water on a lake as it laps against the beach. The atmosphere is still and gloomy, with dark shapes of bare trees in the background.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Following winter's path.
A snow-covered raised boardwalk in the woods. Trees reach overhead and the sky is a wintry grey.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
My less / more list for 2026: starting / finishing screen time / reading isolating / making friends wine / water planning / writing watching / doing basement gym / outside easy walks / challenging hikes “no” / “yes”
Text reads: 2026 less / more
starting / finishing
screen time / reading
isolating / making friends
wine / water
planning / writing
watching / doing
basement gym / outside
easy walks / challenging hikes
“no” / “yes”
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
Morning frost drawings.
Frost designs visible on a window screen, with a wintry scene in the background.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
Saturday's bookspine poem: Bad Juliet, the fortune teller is nowhere for very long. But ahead is the lion's den -- "our last resort," she whispers and surges towards fortune's rocks, leaving a dead wake.
Book spines arranged in a stack, creating a poem.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
"I learned to put away the work when the bad feelings arrive and take a break. To view it with new eyes. Make changes. Add or subtract words. Do it over again. Do this until the piece tells you somehow that it is done." ~ Onjana Yawnghwe, on revising
Text reads: "I learned to put away the work when the bad feelings arrive and take a break. To view it with new eyes. Make changes. Add or subtract words. Do it over again. Do this until the piece tells you somehow that it is done."

Onjana Yawnghwe, on revising
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
When I moved out west a few years ago, I struggled to find a creative community in my new town. If you're trying to connect with other writers IRL or online, here are some things you can try.
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #21: Pen pals [reflections]
How to connect with your people | Writing prompts in English and French | I left the house!
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Morning writing session essentials: inspiration, sustenance, clarity…and a fresh new notebook.
Books and a notebook on a table. A pen and glasses rest on the notebook. A hot mug of tea awaits.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 08/11/2025
Morning reflections.
A photo of a creek emptying into a lake. The blue sky and clouds are reflected in the creek. The image is framed by fall leaves and a small spit of land.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
In this issue of Petits écrits / Tiny writings, I'm sharing an obituary-themed prompt, and the piece I wrote in response as inspiration. (It's rough and not finished. I might keep going with it. Time will tell!) Happy writing!
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #20: In memoriam [writing lab]
A death notice prompt | Reminder call for ladder-story submissions
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
My latest issue of Petits écrits / Tiny Writings lays out eight ways a phobia can add depth and layers to your characters and your story. petitsecrits.substack.com/p/issue-19-t...
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #19: The fear is real [reflections]
Digging into fears and phobias | Writing prompts in English and French
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
A whole world of story ideas is right on your doorstep — or even closer. In the latest writing lab issue of Petits écrits / Tiny writings, I challenge you to get hyperlocal with your writing.
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #18: Local locale [writing lab]
Prompts for finding stories close to home | Reminder: call for ladder-story submissions
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 12/10/2025
I’ve let my morning productivity slide in the last year, and my writing practice has taken the hit. In my latest Petits écrits / Tiny writings post, I share how I’m taking steps to end my lollygagging ways.
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #17: Rise and shine [reflections]
On how I’m making the most of my morning writing energy | Writing prompts | Morning hair and coffee
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
A new Writing Lab issue of Petits écrits / Tiny writings just dropped! Today’s exercise is a lot of fun. If you complete it, I invite you submit your “ladder stories” for a future special issue. ✨ Check out the post for all the details. Happy writing!
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #16: The micro-fiction ladder [writing lab]
Playing with word-count constraints | Call for submissions
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
I tend to be pretty tame in my writing — this month, I’m going to let myself go wild. 🐯
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #15: Are you tame or wild in your writing? [reflections]
On when to be feral and when to get serious | Writing prompts in English and French | Quote of the week | One wild selfie
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
These little blooms make my writing desk more inviting.
Vibrant yellow daisies in a small glass bud vase.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
Good Sunday morning, Bluesky folks 🌼
A bed of bright yellow blackeyed susans with vibrant green leaves
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
In the latest Petits écrits / Tiny writings, I share something I'm calling the “six things” exercise, inspired by writing instructor Lois J. Peterson. petitsecrits.substack.com/p/issue-14-o...
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #14: Observing “six things” [writing lab]
Enrich your writing with real-life detail
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
My September ritual read. What's yours? #amreading
Cover of a book called "Tam Lin" by "Pamela Dean." Illustration of a woman with dark auburn hair dressed in flowing medieval clothes.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
🍁Hey Canadian writers! 🍁 The 2026 CBC Short Story Prize is open, and the deadline is November 1. Rules and regs here: www.cbc.ca/books/litera...
Poster for the CBC literary prizes.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
“Act as if you’re a writer. Sit down and begin. Act as if you might just create something beautiful, and by beautiful I mean something authentic and universal. Don’t wait for anyone to tell you it’s okay.” ~ Dani Shapiro, in "Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life"
Red text on a cream background. Text reads: “Act as if you’re a writer. Sit down and begin. Act as if you might just create something beautiful, and by beautiful I mean something authentic and universal. Don’t wait for anyone to tell you it’s okay." ~ Dani Shapiro, in "Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life"
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
You think you have life all figured out, then they go and discontinue your favourite dental floss.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Have you ever struggled with starting a piece of writing all over again? Trashing what you’ve written to start fresh is tough. But sometimes it makes space for the better story to come. petitsecrits.substack.com/p/issue-13-a... #writingcommunity #creativewriting
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #13: A season of change [reflections]
A new format for Petits écrits / Tiny writings | On sunk costs and starting over | Writing prompts
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
A good morning begins with coffee and reading.
A periodical called The New Quarterly, featuring a photo of a person sitting on a wall under some trees on the cover, lays on a table. A pink mug filled with coffee sits beside it.
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Reposted by Maria Hypponen
The Public Domain Review @publicdomainrev.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
“When Dorothy Parker Got Fired from Vanity Fair”, @jonnysemicolon on Dorothy Parker — born #onthisday in 1893 — and the beginnings of the legendary Algonquin Round Table: publicdomainreview.org/essay/when-d…
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
All it takes is a single, vivid image or concept to ignite my creativity. The story builds itself around that spark. Is that how it starts for other writers? petitsecrits.substack.com/p/issue-12-s...
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #12: Sparks and colours
On what ignites your creativity, the impact of colour on your brain, and some writing prompts
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
A cat finds a suitcase (a love story)
A cat sits inside a half-zipped blue suitcase, inside a closet. Clothes hang above the suitcase.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
In Issue #11 of Petits écrits / Tiny writings: On shutting down intrusive thoughts, how to make writing more fun, and six writing prompts. Read it here: petitsecrits.substack.com/p/issue-11-t...
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #11: There’s no wrong way
On shutting down intrusive thoughts, how to make writing more fun, and six writing prompts
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
“The best writing is like jumping out of a plane. I know that the parachute will open, though nothing in life is 100 per cent certain. I just have to get out there, count to three, and pull the rip cord.” ~ Margaret Springer, on courage and writing
The printed page of a book, with yellow sticky notes indicating key passages.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
This piece is by my friend and fellow Restless Writer, Andrea Montgomery. ⚘️
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
Read, puzzle, read, puzzle, read, puzzle, ad infinitum. Oh, and write sometimes too.
A book with a red cover, entitled "Magpie Murders" by Anthony Horowitz, sits atop a table with a partially completed jigsaw puzzle
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
A micro-fiction, book-spine inspired: ... I can't sleep. Is it the demon of unrest? Or just the 206 bones, buried in my secret garden? ... #microfiction #bookspinefiction #bookspinepoetry
Four books, stacked vertically on a white table. A window with open blinds is in the background.
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
I just found my copy of A.S. Byatt's "Medusa's Ankles: Selected Stories" hiding under a Ken Follett doorstopper in my tbr pile. 😱 I had forgotten all about it. Shameful! If you say that maybe I buy too many books if I lose track of them so easily, you and I are no longer friends.
A hand holding a book entitled "Medusa's Ankles: Selected Stories" by A.S. Byatt
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
To get to know one of my characters better, I sent him to the zoo, a job interview, a funeral, and a cottage. What I learned helped me figure out his role in the story. Where would you send your characters? petitsecrits.substack.com/p/issue-10-f... #writingcommunity #writinginspiration
petitsecrits.substack.com
Issue #10: Field trip
On learning more about your characters, identifying the “B” that’s in your way, and five writing prompts
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
What proverbial blanket do you need to do your art? For me it's music without lyrics, a bottomless cup of coffee, and a deadline.
Blue text on a light grey background, reads: [T]he composer Nicolo Paganini could compose only if he had a blanket over his head. Who cares? What wonderful music he composed under his blanket! ... If you, too, need a blanket over your head to do your art, then claim your blanket!" 
~ Pat Schneider, writer, poet, writing teacher, and editor
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Maria Hypponen @mhypponen.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
I just found my copy of the 1930 printing of “Tales of the Round Table” from Longmans, Green and Co., which sparked my lifelong obsession with Arthurian stories and legends. Yet so far, I've never written a story or poem inspired by these tales. Time to change that. ✨️
A hand holds open a book. On the left page is a colour plate showing Lancelot and Guinevere. On the right page is the title page of the book: Tales of the Round Table.
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