Posts Tagged ‘writing’
Boost Reading & Writing, Creativity & Confidence! 2018 Braintastic Summer Courses & Coaching for Grades 3-12. Enroll Today!
Friday, March 17th, 2017Enroll Today in our 2016 Summer Workshop Series!
Saturday, February 27th, 2016
The L-Word
Wednesday, February 27th, 2013This week for our DISCOVER post, we’re pondering deep thoughts, like the power of language. Not exactly a subject to fit squarely in the span of a small blog post, but why not stop to pay homage to language’s immense versatility through the ages? Especially when these days a single word or simple catch phrase can go viral with the slap of a hashtag (#freedom; #WhatIMissMost)
Sweat the Small Stuff: Shape Voice with Sound & Syntax, Part 3
Tuesday, January 15th, 2013What is Voice? (Part 3)
In this 3-part revision series, we’ve debunked several mysteries behind the magical element within every great work of writing: Voice. It’s my hope that you’ve been able to see Voice not as an elusive and unattainable ingredient, but rather, as a series of deliberate, layered choices made throughout the revision process, and as accessible to all who practice the craft–within every genre and for any purpose. May you walk away from this series inspired to “Re-Vision” your writing with techniques that work!
On The First Day of Christmas, Three Inspiring Links
Tuesday, December 25th, 2012Merry Christmas, word lovers! I feel so honored to share this special holiday with you! Today’s post is on DISCOVERIES, so please enjoy the following three Seeds and Sparks. May they inspire you and ignite your imagination! Share with family and be sure to curl up on your own to savor them, too. Remember: the holidays are also a time to be loving and joyful with yourself! You deserve it!
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Sweat the Small Stuff: Shape Voice with Sound and Syntax, Part 2
Monday, December 17th, 2012What is Voice? (Part 2)
In this 3-part revision series, we’ll debunk several mysteries behind the magical element within every great work of writing: Voice. It’s my hope that you’ll see Voice not as an elusive and unattainable ingredient, but rather, as a series of deliberate, layered choices made throughout the revision process, and as accessible to all who practice the craft–within every genre and for any purpose. May you walk away each week inspired to “Re-Vision” your writing with techniques that work!
Smartpens to Songwriting: 10 Supercool Gift Ideas for Kids & Teens
Tuesday, December 11th, 2012If you’re like me, the holiday season is somehow slipping from your grasp and your shopping days are limited. What’s more, you want to find just the right gift for each person on your list, although – let’s be honest – some are nearly impossible to please and you’re really trying to steer clear of the plastic gift card route.
In life, I’m big into intentionality, so when I gift, no matter what the age, I go for:
- Unique
- Practical
- Aesthetic
- Budget-friendly
- Lovingly made or expertly crafted
Check out the following 10 supercool hi-tech-meets-lo-tech gift ideas for kids and teens that I’ve personally sized up. Each is sure to make everyone’s spirits merry and bright!
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6 Little Known Tools to Flesh Out Your Sentences
Tuesday, October 16th, 2012(As first seen on Through The Tollbooth. Thanks for the guest post opportunity, ladies!)
Ready for today’s grammar lesson?
Arrange these phrases and punctuation marks to build a complete sentence. (*Note: just because Harry’s name is capitalized does not necessarily mean he begins the sentence)
, , , , .
holding his broken glasses up to his nose
dizzy
covered in soot
Harry got gingerly to his feet
bruised
Lots of ways to arrange these pieces, right? I count ten at least.
Writer’s Block: 12 Ways to Cure a Monster of a Problem
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012
This is Grumble.
Grumble’s my Writer’s Block beast, and boy, he’s a moody one. A real monster of a problem, especially when the delicate creation stage of a project begins. Grumble can smell the sweet scent of hope and acrid stench of fear from a mile off. He squares off with The Muse on my left shoulder, perching on the right, just inches from my ear, and an arm’s length away from the DELETE button. There’s no finer victory for Grumble than a day without a word on the page. He delights in looming over me with his hairy eyeballs and doomsday expression, squashing seed ideas and spitting on sparks before either can lift off.
Magic Formulas, Multiple Intelligences, Voice, & The Kindle Fire
Monday, September 24th, 2012WRITE: Forget Magic Formulas. Find Your Unique Way.
Let’s pretend that writing derives from a mythic Magic Formula. I can’t imagine it being simple, for one thing (W = Butt-In-Chair x Heck-of-a-Great-Idea / 2 cups of coffee?) There are too many variables involved. This is more like it:
Now, on the surface of things, a formula is the process by which we’re able to spew out a solution on the other end. Formulas create order out of chaos, and that is why we gravitate toward them in every facet of our lives, even if you were to adamantly deny your affinity for math. Plug in the numbers, follow x, y, z, and Sha-zam! Success.
But with a formula as complicated as this (which, by the way, represents the calculation behind lacing an average shoe with six pairs of eyelets), you are bound to wind up with two trillion ways to success. (I’m not kidding. There are two trillion ways to lace a shoe.)
