In this Life Notes edition, a little girl’s lament turns into an evening of make-believe. If you’re feeling stressed, you might want to walk away—and into play—too.
On Finding Stories—And Maybe Myself
Callie Feyen invites readers to consider not just what is in a picture, but what’s not in the picture, when finding the story to tell.
Can Your Distractions Make You a Better Writer?
Can being distracted make you a better writer? Charity Singleton Craig explores the ways we can use our distractions to fuel creativity and even improve our writing.
The Writing Life: Paterson’s Blank Page
In the film Paterson, Charity Singleton Craig finds the routine of doing the same thing in the same place day after day forms a canvas on which to create.
From Author to Publisher: L.L. Barkat’s Thoughts Are for You
Learn the surprising continuity of thought that links Barkat’s life as an author to her life as a publisher. The thoughts were, and still are, for you.
Writing with Matisse in Mind
Maureen Doallas finds that if you live with an artist like Henri Matisse long enough, he’ll work his way into your writing.
What the Book Needs: Creating The Joy of Poetry – Part 4
Megan Willome ends her 4-part series about creating The Joy of Poetry with a simple admonition for writers: be open to what your book needs.
R Is for Rewriting: Creating The Joy of Poetry – Part 3
As Megan Willome approaches the task of rewriting The Joy of Poetry, she finds a different rhythm to her work.
What to Do with the Elephants: Creating The Joy of Poetry – Part 2
In Megan Willome’s second installment about writing The Joy of Poetry, she wrestles with the problem of not one, but two elephants in the room.
On Being Asked: Creating The Joy of Poetry – Part 1
When people ask Megan Willome why she wrote The Joy of Poetry, they are usually shocked when she tells them: “I was asked to.”
Writing Coach Podcast Series – I Am From
“I Am From” helps you know yourself better, and the better you know yourself, the more you are equipped to say what you alone can say, in a voice that’s uniquely yours.
Writing Coach Podcast Series – Find and Follow the Energy
Some writers are trying to figure out why their writing lives or writing projects feel stuck or sluggish. They need to find and follow the energy.
Writing Coach Podcast Series – Start with Three Sentences
Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach, recommends you begin with three sentences to get a project in motion, because a few sentences can become a paragraph, a few paragraphs can become a chapter. And a few chapters can become a book.
Writing Coach Podcast Series – Fill the Gap
Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach, encourages you to keep at your writing, even when you feel intimidated by the Greats and see a gap between your skill level and theirs. As you fill the gap, you’ll learn to write.
Top 10 Writing Quotes to Get You Started in 2016
Whether you included your writing goals in your 2016 resolutions, this collection of 10 great writing quotes might give you the inspiration you need to get started.
How to Beat Writer’s Block by Not Giving Up
What feels like writer’s block might just be giving up too soon. Charity Singleton Craig challenges writers to use persistence toward better creativity.
A Foolproof Guide to Getting Your Poems Published—While Having Fun!
Susan Rich found a way to enjoy the task of submitting poems, playing a form of the license plate game. You, too, can get your poems published and have fun.
On Being a Writer Book Club: Surround
We conclude our group discussion of On Being a Writer by considering the things with which a writer might surround himself to influence his writing.