Free Poetry Writing Guide: How to Write Free Verse Poetry

 Poetry gives voice to the soul. Writing poetry is like singing;it should flow from the spirit, as a lament, a rhapsody or an aria. Unlike tangible things poetry is not so easy to dissect, critique or explain. There are some devices that poets employ to create poems. Having created some poetry myself and taught courses in poetry in creative writing, I'll try to distill the essence of poetry in this guideline. Poetry Writing Guide: How to Write Free Verse Poetry 

"What I am Most Thankful for" An adult's Thanksgiving essay

Thanksgiving Thoughts on Loved Ones Living and Lost How many times have I assigned students to write that Thanksgiving holiday essay entitled, 'What I Am Thankful for This Year'? Young and old, when it boiled right down, children listed their families at the top of the list. After the obligatory nods to the great Thanksgiving food and favorite toys, almost every student realized that what could not be replaced, what was most valuable was to love and be loved. Read more...

Mystery Writing Prompts, Horror Story Starters for Halloween

Hello my friends and readers. I've begun to create some story starters and writing prompts to supplement my own creative writing. I love reading and writing mystery and suspense stories. I enjoy trying to solve the puzzles and stretching my imagination. And if I'm honest, the eerie atmosphere of a good mystery/suspense story is a place I love to dwell! Here's a list of mystery story starters and horror fiction writing prompts you can use to get started with your own creative writing hobby. I've linked to the full article on my blog Free Printable Lesson Plans. 

Mystery story starters and suspense and horror fiction writing prompts 

Japanese Poetry- Haiku vs. Senryu

Haiku and Senryu are Japanese poems, both of which have 17 syllables, of three lines with 5-7-5 syllabication, but the similarity ends there. Haiku are aesthetic nature poems. Haiku require a kigo or nature word (theme). Haiku have a kireji or cutting word that shifts the focus of the haiku. In 17 syllables, the haiku shifts focus. The core difference between haiku and senryu lie in the poems' differing theme or purpose. Senryu (poems written by the Japanese poet of that name) are usually cynical or darkly humorous. Senryu poke fun at the human condition. Senryu can be spoof, parody or satire poems. Senryu have no specific kireji or kigo, but as dark humor, they do often have a shift or perhaps a twist would be a better word. Senryu generally have a 'sting' in the tail. I think it behooves the would-be writer of haiku to understand how haiku and senryu differ.

  In my haiku, Popsicle Purple (which isn't the best example of nature, but perhaps season), see if you can find my shift in tone:

  Popsicle purple

  drips sticky sweet on new dress

  yahoo for summer

 Yahoo is my cutting word, cutting across the negative tone of soiled clothing and shifting to a positive view that this means summer has arrived. This poem has a bit of senryu styling as it does poke gentle fun at parents for giving a child a popsicle when she is wearing new clothes. And it pokes fun at a child's predisposition to spill, especially on new clothes. Lastly, Popsicle Purple juxtaposes a child's delight in summer, signaled by the arrival of popsicles.

  Here are other senryu.

  migrating fowl find  

  crashing on ice-covered pond  

  winter remains still

and another 

 he scales a tree to 

commune with nature

disturbing a nest of eggs

(I both can identify with and feel sorry for the poor person described here, as well as the nest of eggs. it would be like me to do something completely wrong for the right reasons.  The commentary is that when you would "commune with nature" best to check to make sure you are not endangering it in so doing._ 

The best way to describe the difference between haiku and senryu is that they represent nature vs. nurture. Nature in the Haiku is merely reflective whereas in senryu there is a bit of commentary. 

How to Raise Children who Read and Write

Back-to-School: How to Raise Bookworms and Kids Who Can't Put a Book Down
If anyone goes looking for me, I will not be found in front of a TV. I will be found with my nose in a book. Naturally I've raised bookworms who don't care a fig for popular television shows but can quote the New York Times best-seller list. Here's how.
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Creative Writing Tips: Antonyms and Synonyms

Creative Writing and Language Arts Activities: Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms are words that have the same meaning. Antonyms have the opposite meanings. Remember them this ways 'synonym' = 'same'; 'antonyms'='anti-', 'opposite.' There are synonyms for nouns, verbs, adverbs and adjectives.
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Essay and Article Writing Guide

How to Write the Perfect Online Article
A neat, tidy writing lesson in bite-sized steps. Plenty of examples of how to plan, organize, write, edit and rewrite an article. Gives practical advice on how to keep the article on track and cohesive.
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How to Write Parody and Satire

How to Write Satire or Parody
To parody someone or something is to exaggerate their foibles and mannerisms and exploit them for the purpose of comedy. Parody in literature is called satire. How-to guide to understand the genre of satire and write in parody.
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