Helpful Blog Posts

Here's a quick guide to the blog posts my readers tell me help them the most! If you have another suggestion, let me know and I'll add it to the list.

A poetry lesson using Denise Duhamel's "In Which" poem to create your own piece
Using a model poem from Sara Eliza Johnson, here's a step-by-step writing exercise
Tips from author Rhea Thomas on looking for sparks of creativity during you day (guest post)
A step-by-step guide to taking something ordinary and turning it into an extraordinary story or poem.
Get a calendar of prompts, so you never run out of ways to start writing!
Curious about the best way to start your poem or story? Check out this mini-workshop on magical beginnings and get inspired!
Thinking about submitting your poetry but aren't sure how to craft a cover letter or bio? I've got you covered.
It's the Year of the Snake! Here are some writing prompts inspired by the animal of the year.
Need some inspiration? Check out this post, complete with a downloadable inspiration workbook!
Write smarter using this SMART Goals for Writers workbook!
Wondering if an MFA is for you? Read this post by guest blogger Jim Naremore!
Not sure what to write? Check out these posts with prompts galore from ringing in the New Year:
- 3 Writing Prompts to Start Your Year Strong
- 31 daily writing prompts for the month of January (or whenever you're sitting down to write!)
Trying to infuse a "ghostly" atmosphere into a setting or event? Check out these tips from guest blogger Milana Marsenich
Tips for making sense of research when writing a story wih guest blogger Allie Nava
Figuring out if you're a plotter or pantser with guest blogger Kathie Giorgio
Ways to track writing progress that move beyond word count
Spark your imagination with a visual writing prompt! Here are 22 photo prompts created at the Good Hart Artist Residency:
- Prompt No. 1: Aerial Sunset
- Prompt No. 2: Heartstone & Shadow
- Prompt No. 3: Colorful Lake Michigan Shoreline
- Prompt No. 4: Mesmerizing Driftwood & Metal Sculpture
- Prompt No. 5: Cairn Tower at the Residency
- Prompt No. 6: Close & Personal with Lake Michigan's Rocky Shore
- Prompt No. 7: Mackinac Bridge
- Prompt No. 8: Moving Freshwater Dunes
- Prompt No. 9: Moody Lake Michigan Sunset
- Prompt No. 10: Chipmunk Gathering Nuts
- Prompt No. 11: Pebbles Nesting Between Lake Michigan Stones
- Prompt No. 12: First Day of Autumn in the Tunnel of Trees
- Prompt No. 13: Historic Church Overlooking Lake Michigan
- Prompt No. 14: View of Mackinac Island
- Prompt No. 15: Dry-docked Mooring Buoy
- Prompt No. 16: Peek-a-Boo Dune Trail to the Lake
- Prompt No. 17: Meditation Bench
- Prompt No. 18: Sun and Shadow on Lake Michigan
- Prompt No. 19: Early Morning Light
- Prompt No. 20: Woodsy Birdhouses
- Prompt No. 21: Lake Sunset on the Last Day of Summer
- Prompt No. 22: Daybreak over the Great Lakes
Feel like writing a poem but aren't sure where to start? Here are some fall-focused poetry exercises that take you from idea to finished poem:
- Myths of autumn: Write a poem drawing inspiration from mythology, folklore, tall tales, and more
- Harvest of words: Gather words to use in an autumn poem
Get step-by-step help to write a celebratory ode focusing on the end of summer (or adapt it for any subject!)
Learn to write a narrative poem with this detailed exercise
Two+ short fiction prompts using material from "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, an iconic mid-century classic tale
Learn how to use lines from a favorite poem to write your own poem using The Golden Shovel
Make a poetry door hanger to celebrate National Poetry Month (or celebrate poetry any time!)
Check out my (very extensive) list of people and places that offer online creative writing workshops and classes
- Part One
- Part Two
- Part Three
- Part Four
- Part Five
Learn about the pantoum, a repetitive form of poetry, and download a helpful template
Three of my favorite creative tools for painting, drawing, writing, and inspiration
Five sites that have cool writing prompts or writing prompt generators
Using dreams to spark creative writing
Writing prompts that use extraordinary facts and objects
Taking a sensory inventory before you write
An exercise in clichés to improve your writing
Exercises to help you get to know your Muse to improve creativity
Using This Day in History to jumpstart your brain and get creating
Photo prompt: Two people see each other for the first time
Writing prompt: "No"
Photo prompt: Father's Day creativity!
Earth Day: A planet-friendly poetry prompt (use recycled paper!)
How to find and use photos for photo-prompted writing
Tips on how to get started with art journaling
Start your creative practice with journaling (plus a download!)
Try an Irish form of poetry: The Dechnad Cummaisc
Tips and resources for choosing a title
Create a book cover for NaNoWriMo
An exercise using your real-life antagonist
A writing prompt using Facebook posts
An exercise to beat writer's block
Using an exercise in perspective to get creative
Your daily horoscope as a creativity prompt
Five writing warm-ups to get you started