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 ArticlePoets & 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 ArticlePoets 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 ArticlePoets & 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 ArticlePoets 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 ArticlePoets 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 ArticleBe 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 ArticlePoets & 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 ArticleWordSurge—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 ArticlePoets & 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 ArticlePoets & 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 ArticlePoets & 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 ArticlePoets & 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 ArticlePoets & 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 ArticlePoets 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 ArticlePoets & 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 ArticlePoets 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 ArticlePoets 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 ArticleBe 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 ArticlePoets & 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 Article