writing

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What is it like to be a writer? Canadian author Marianne Brandis on the creative life

As a writer, I am entranced by words. I love them – writing them, reading them, re-reading them, finding writers that use them in creative, interesting ways. To say that my life is one of writing and reading is not an overstatement, but rather, a joyful way to be in the world. 

When I discover writers that I love, I dig in deeply to their words. They enrich my life, thoughts, reading. And, when I have the ability to share the talents of such writers? Well, this is one of the reasons I started this website. 

Kids Tales: Teens Making a Positive Impact on our World

by Lisa Doctor /
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Feb 19, 2016 / 0 comments

Katie Eder is a tenth grade student—and an award-winning educator. Her passion for creative writing and her belief that kids can change the world led her to found Kids Tales, a non-profit workshop for elementary school students in low income areas, where original short stories are compiled into anthologies and self-published on Amazon.com. 

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Free Download: Accidental Poetry: Improve Your English Through Creative Writing

Teachers! Writers! New speakers of English—or any other language! For three days only—February 13, 14, and 15—the Kindle version of Accidental Poetry: Improve Your English Through Creative Writing by Lisa Lieberman Doctor can be downloaded for free on Amazon.com.

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Untamed: Honesty, Power, and Reality in a Dystopian World

Every so often, a book comes along that beautifully, powerfully reminds you of humanity. One such book is the first in a series (YAY!), entitled Untamed. Written by Madeline Dyer, this YA novel takes a look at a world that is changed - and who the changemakers are. From the start of Untamed, you're pulled into the arc of the story, as if one of the family. Then (and make note of this, so you plan for it) you won't be able to put the book down. Meals? Who needs them! Sleep? Ditto!

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A Backpack Full of Dreams

The thirty-nine ESL students, dark eyed and dark complexioned, each took their turn telling me their name and their country of origin. Mexico. El Salvador. Honduras. Cuba. Peru. Colombia. Ecuador. Lebanon. India. China. Korea.

A Backpack Full of Dreams

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Free writing resources from Creative Revolution Retreats

For all you women who want to travel and tell your story, Creative Revolution has the perfect combination for you.

Creative Revolution Retreats has just announced their next two creative writing for women retreats. The first in early November 2015 in Costa Rica. The second in July 2016 in Nicaragua. 

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A Storytelling Workshop in Morocco

Deep Travel returns to Morocco this October, inviting you on a nine-day workshop to help preserve a fading art form: storytelling.

Morocco's ancient storytelling tradition stretches back over 1,000 years. For generations, masters of the art performed their iconic tales in Marrakech's main square, Jamaa el Fna. But in these days of TV and Internet, such a subtle art form is being lost.

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The Soul of Place

Writers and seekers of place, there's a great new resource for us! Linda Lappin has penned a new book, called The Soul of Place: A Creative Writing Workbook, Ideas and Exercises for Conjuring the Genius Loci. And let me tell you, this is a book full of inspiration, guidance, and a great deal of thought. It will change your writing!

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Closing the book: Travels in Life, Loss, and Literature

 

This is the most beautiful book I have ever read. It’s at once a memoir, an ode to favorite literature, a glimpse into teaching – and writing. Joelle Renstrom’s new book, Closing the book: Travels in Life, Loss, and Literature, is a work of art. 

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Andrei Codrescu on Ay, Cuba!

In 1997, writer Andrei Codrescu visited Cuba - and his book, Ay, Cuba!, is a fascinating tale of the journey. While I'd of course read Codrescu's work, and listened to him on NPR, I hadn't heard of this book. How can this be? For although it is almost two decades old, it is still fresh, extremely interesting, and full of cultural insights. And with the recent opening of travel to Cuba, even more important for us to read. 

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