Category Archives: inspiration

What do you love about home? In January Julie Cox wrote a blog post with the simple title, “Home.” It took my breath away and was one of those bits that tucked into my heart, and my writer’s spirit played with the ideas and the words. I’ve been thinking about writing on the topic ofContinue reading “open invitation no. 52: home”

Capture a Slice of Life. I remember writing slices before it was a thing. Back when there were just two teachers who loved teaching and loved writing and wanted to write alongside one another about teaching writers, even though they were 865 miles apart. A lot has changed since then. The magic of a slice,Continue reading “open invitation no. 48: slice”

Write off of a word. It is popular to select One Little Word in lieu of a resolution. Maybe you kept a word close during 2020. Maybe you didn’t. Perhaps you are thinking of One Little Word for 2021. Perhaps you aren’t. The prompt today, if you are looking for inspiration, is to select aContinue reading “open invitation no. 39: word”

Use a definition as inspiration for your writing. A quick search on Merriam-Webster revealed this definition of thanksgiving… thanksgiving:: celebration of divine goodness I like looking up definitions because they often reveal new truths and ideas to me. Try to use a definition as an inspiration for your writing. Use thanksgiving or select another wordContinue reading “open invitation no. 34: definition inspiration”

Don’t be stifled. What stifles you? It’s not about what stops you, nor what makes things difficult for you. When I made a little list about what stifles me, I found it was all within me. getting it right not doing things wrong feeling like I’m a silly girl in the middle of a cornfieldContinue reading “open invitation no. 28: what stifles you?”

Find time. It has been many weeks since I’ve written a blog post on my own blog. Each week I know exactly what I want to write: A list of things to never-forget from Hannah’s graduation partyThe way whimsy took over and led us to offering a win for the kidsA few lines about myContinue reading “open invitation no. 22: you have time”

Just write. It’s easy to not-write…at least it is for me. I write all day for my job; I write in a morning journal — every single morning; I write in a draft notebook; I write in a writing notebook. The thing that’s easy for me to not-write is a blog post…writing that is justContinue reading “open invitation no. 20: just write”

Write for the fun of it. There are many reasons to write. Today, write for the fun of it. Writing is fun. Let the words wiggle and make something just because making stuff is fun. Write everything you know about zucchini or tooth brushing. Look for an unexpected color and write about it. Allow yourselfContinue reading “open invitation no. 17: have fun”

Don’t be alone. It is natural to retreat when things get tough. Recently I wrote this sentence — I’ve had to learn to write through dark times.  I know uncertainty has the potential to destroy a writer’s mojo…I also know writing can be one of  the best ways to process uncertainty.  This is especially trueContinue reading “open invitation no. 16: writing communities matter”