From careful study of Japanese poetry like haiku, Adelaide Crapsey crafted the cinquain. Learn about the similarities between the two poetry forms, the “superposition” of poetic elements, and create a cinquain of your own.
Children’s Book Club: ‘One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale’
Math can be beautiful, especially with tigers and elephants and gold. Join us as we read ‘One Grain of Rice’ with Megan Willome as our guide. Plus, get more great math title recommendations!
4 Smartphone-Free Tips to Help Sustain Your Writing Life
Charity Singleton Craig has tips to help you conquer your smart phone habits to take care of your writing and your brain.
The Early Cinquain: Poetry Prompt
The inspiration for the modern cinquain form was the simple style and flow of the early English five-line stanza. Check out a poem from one of the foundational poets who influenced the modern cinquain and write some lines of poetry with us.
4 Great Reasons To Read Kids’ Books—With a Book Buddy!
Aren’t children’s books just for kids? Why should grown-ups consider sneaking a peek (or ten)—with a book buddy at their side?
A Is for Azure: The Alphabet in Colors – Vermilion Fun Facts and Poetry Prompt!
Colors have cool histories, intriguing origins, cultural meanings, wonderful names. Today, discover vermilion. Learn facts about this expensive (and sometimes deadly) color, hear its pronunciation, and write a truly colorful vignette or haiku!
Poetry Prompt: The Crapsey Cinquain
Adelaide Crapsey offered her unique stamp on American poetry with the cinquain. Learn more about this easy-to-practice poetry form and apply what you’ve learned with some cinquain poetry of your own. Join us!
Reading in the Wild: August’s pages
Come learn the secrets of being a wild reader. Or just share your August pages. Megan Willome leads the way, with her August goodreads.
A Is for Azure: The Alphabet in Colors—Jasmine Fun Facts and Prompt!
Colors have cool histories, intriguing origins, cultural meanings, wonderful names. Today, discover jasmine. Learn cool facts about this soothing color, hear its pronunciation, and write a truly colorful vignette or haiku!
Flying Machines Poetry Prompt: Wing Envy
Never mind the naysayers, this is your chance. It’s your turn to fly. Read about the humorous poem, “Darius Green and His Flying Machine” and learn a bit about those who thought flight was for the birds. Preen your feathers and write some high-flying poetry with us!
Thank You Notes: Notepads
Thank You Notes is a monthly writing prompt to express our thanks to a particular person, place, or thing. This month we’re saying thank you to notepads.
Tea Quest: LaBella Bean in Bridgeville, Pa.
Finding the right tea shop, at the right time, can be a perfect fresh start. Laura Lynn Brown continues her Pittsburgh tea quest with a stop at LaBella’s.
A Is for Azure: The Alphabet in Colors—Heliotrope Fun Facts and Prompt!
Colors have cool histories, intriguing origins, cultural meanings, wonderful names. Today, discover heliotrope. Learn cool facts about this delicious color, hear its pronunciation, and write a truly colorful vignette or haiku!
Animate: Flying Machine Poetry Prompt
Humanity earned its wings with a 12-second airplane flight. Imagine yourself as one of our greatest engineering achievements. This week’s poetry prompt asks you to become a flying machine. Join us, animate yourself into a soaring object of flight, and create poetry.
Children’s Book Club: ‘The Buffalo Storm’
Literacy starts with children’s books. Join the inaugural edition of our children’s book club as we read ‘The Buffalo Storm’ with Megan Willome as our guide.
Committing Prufrock: The Path to Frost
Memorizing The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock took Sandra Heska King on the road not taken (or, at least less frequently taken) and to memorization of Robert Frost as well.
A Is for Azure: The Alphabet in Colors—Fuchsia Fun Facts and Prompt!
Colors have cool histories, intriguing origins, cultural meanings, wonderful names. Today, meet fuchsia. Learn cool facts about this hot hot pink, hear its pronunciation, and write a truly colorful vignette or haiku!
Flying Machines Poetry Prompt: An Ode to SkyMall
SkyMall enabled air travelers to leaf through the pages of a retail fantasy. From curious kitchen tools to ghastly lawn ornaments, it offered everything we could ever imagine or not need. Fly our friendly skies as we remember the legendary in-flight publication and write poetry.