This week, my daughter had a new friend over to the house for lunch and play. After washing hands and doing a few excited pirouettes across the kitchen floor, they sat down at the table. I bought bagels as a special treat, but our friend mentioned that her dad always packs her a special lunch. …
Journal Prompt: Character Development
Use your journal to develop characters who can find their way into your short stories, poems, and plays. List 5-10 ordinary, regular things your character would do on a free day. Write brief notes and draw small sketches to illustrate. Remember, this is practice in stepping into your character’s mind. This is not what you would…
Valentine’s Day Fortunes
This Valentine’s Day, instead of giving away hearts and candy, we’re gifting fortunes. I love the tradition of giving our friends sweet messages and tiny handmade tokens in the depth of winter. If you live in the northeast, you know how much we are all looking forward to something that will distract us from the…
Creative Toolbox: The Random Word Generator
My new favorite journal tool is the random word generator at randomlists.com. I click on the words button and the nouns button, and then 12 random words pop up on my screen. When I click refresh, 12 new words pop up. I love the challenge of choosing to work with ideas/words that did not…
From me to you: Four Valentine’s Day Heart Projects
With February just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about bright colors, quirky little hearts, and sweet scribbled messages. In New England, where everything is frozen and white, the bright colors of Valentine’s Day is a nice thing to look forward to. These are four of my favorite heart projects that I’ve…
Journal Prompt: Reverse Your Season
Journal Prompt: Observing Your Hand
Read your old stuff
This morning, I discovered one of my old sketchbooks. When I first grabbed it from the row of books, I flipped through the pages quickly, and my work rhythm was swaying me to wedge it back into its bookshelf home. I was trying to manage my time well. But, a list of words caught my…
Journal Prompt: Design a City
My Second Book
I’m thrilled to announce that my second book will be published sometime in 2016 by Storey Publishing! The contract is signed, and now my work mornings, evenings, and weekends will be packed with book writing concentration (and, also, cookies, tea, and naps). This book is another arts in education book with a focus on the…
Wondering
One of the best ways to inspire creativity is to wonder about things. Encourage mind wandering and ask yourself simple questions. Long drives, showers, walks, dish washing, and office room waits are perfect opportunities for some scheduled pondering. When I stumble upon a random question, I love thinking that maybe other people have the same…
On My Page
Journal Prompt: Fictional History of a Thing
On My Page
Journal Prompt: I Say, You Say
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