Clik here to view.
Poets & Writers Toolkit: Paper
Our geography affects our actions. It simply does. I could give you a big historical low-down on the matter (all very interesting, if you have time for some talk on island cultures, peace in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Poets & Writers Toolkit: Mind Mapping
Ever had a huge idea come to you with perfect order and timing, so you were able to capture the whole thing in your writer’s notebook (or that file on your computer) without losing a bit of it? No? Me...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Poets and Writers Toolkit: Six-Word Memoirs
Our Poets and Writers Toolkit series brings fresh ideas and tools to your writing. We’ve talked about the way certain paper sparks our creativity, and we’ve shared the mind mapping process to help you...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Poets & Writers Toolkit: Read and Respond
“Do you have any homework?” I ask my step-sons each night they are with us. Sometimes the answer is no, but more often than not, at least one of them answers, “Just read and respond.” Read and respond...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Poets and Writers Toolkit: 4 Ways to Generate Writing Ideas
“You know the good thing about writing class?” my middle step-son asked me one evening shortly after the school-year began. “You can write whatever you want.” I considered the alternative–being forced...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Poets and Writers Toolkit: Big Idea Creativity
Creativity Smart and Fun Our new creativity book is filled with delightful stories, illustrations, and activities. It also has helpful organizing principles, such as How to Break Down a Large Creative...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Be Bold! Your Creativity Needs It
Silencing Creativity My mouth is duct-taped closed. It’s not just any duct-tape that has been roughly applied to my mouth. It’s a heavy-duty silver variety that is ribbed for extra strength and hold....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Poets & Writers Toolkit: 5 Invaluable Word Tools
So you’re in the mood to write a poem. Feeling contented and inspired, you sit down next to the window and start to write out your thoughts, only to be stopped suddenly in your tracks by one of the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
WordSurge—A Word-Discovery Tool for Tomorrow
An Interview with WordSurge® Founder Jordan Ackerman Move over Dictionary.com. Make way OneLook Dictionary Search. Say so long RhymeZone. The Beta version of WordSurge® has hit the Web. Writers and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Poets & Writers Toolkit: Productivity Apps for Busy Writers
Busy poets and writers must find ways organize themselves and their work. Some find analog methods the simplest way to stay productive, writing to-do lists and notes on Post-Its, three-by-five cards,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Poets & Writers Toolkit: The Ultimate Website You Can Totally Make
When I first started out as a writer, my ultimate tool was pencil and paper. For some people, that’s still the case. And, in fact, when I’m writing fiction, I generally turn to a fine point Uni-Ball...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Poets & Writers Toolkit: Use Your Hands
The day after I completed an intensive project, I went upstairs and baked. I am not a baker. I am not even on speaking terms with my kitchen much of the time. But after months of intensive work,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Poets & Writers Toolkit: 3 Ways Reading Will Make You a Better Writer
For years now, I’ve been working hard to become a better writer. I’ve experimented in new genres, I’ve joined critique groups, I’ve attended conferences, and I’ve taken workshops. Along the way, I’ve...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Poets & Writers Toolkit: 10 Must-Know Website Tips & Tricks for Writers
As a web designer, I follow a lot of designers and developers on social media. I’m always closely attuned to new trends and tools to help designers and website owners. And as a writer and editor, I’m...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Poets and Writers Toolkit: Play-Doh Creative Nonfiction
Let’s say you’re writing creative nonfiction, and let’s say it’s going pretty well. Your fingers hurt from gripping the pen, and you can’t get the words down fast enough. Your dialog is on point (as...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Wait, Do I Need to Write a Query Letter?
“It sounds like you might be the kind of writer who needs to write her way into something instead of trying to plan it up front.” I just said this to someone who’s working on an article idea. And I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
5 Simple Tricks to Make Space for Your Writing
At every stage of the writing process, mental space is a must. Without this space, ideas die before they’re born—or, once born, they scatter before we can gather them into a comprehensible form. As an...
View Article