A Most Have Book for Writers

I rarely take a Grammar Girl podcast live without at least quadruple-checking my main thesis, and Common Errors in English Usage has quickly become one of my most valued fact-checking resources. When the corners of this book are worn off, the spine is broken, and the fuzzy edges are spiked with Post-it notes marking your most used pages, don't forget to write Brians a note of thanks. By distilling reams of rules and opinions into a usable, entertaining reference book, he's made all our lives a little easier.
—Mignon Fogarty (“Grammar Girl”) 

Don't take our word that Common Errors in English Usage is a must have tool for writers, just read the glowing endorsements by Grammar Girl, Mignon Fogarty, and NPR's Scott Simon who both say this is a must have resource, or better yet listen to what folks are saying by clicking the video below.  You can bet your bottom dollar we have a copy headed our way.  If you want to read more about this  book check out Common Errors in English Usage 

I’d call Paul Brians’ book incredible, fabulous, or fantastic, except thanks to him, I know now that none of those words are what I really mean. Let’s just say thatCommon Errors in English Usage is the most cheerfully useful book I've read since the Kama Sutra.—Scott Simon, National Public Radio

Have a Creative Weekend!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Writing Prompt: Original Story Outline Inspired by The Distance of the Moon Video

The Distance of the Moon: Beautiful Short Film Based on the Italo Calvino Classic

“Ahh… we went to collect the Moon milk.”

The Distance of the Moon by Italo Calvino

One of the many books we are currently reading is Why Read the Classics? by the Italian writer Italo Calvino (1923-1985), who is famous for his classic essay that addresses the fourteen criteria which answer the question: What Makes a Classic?.  Take a peek at the animated short film by Israeli children’s book author, and illustrator Shulamit Serafy, based on Calvino’s short story The Distance of the Moon.  Calvino's short story is rich with spectacular language, playful expressions, and capricious fancy.  

Now, since the video is not in English, here is your prompt. write your own original story or story outline inspired or based on the video.  Remember to include: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution/Conclusion. 

Have a Creative Weekend!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Writing Prompt: Steven Johnson on Where Good Ideas Come From

Writing Prompt: Where Do Good Ideas Come From?

Where does your creativity stem from?

Before answering the prompt view the short video created by Steven Johnson...

That’s the real lesson: Chance favors the connected mind.” ~ Steven Johnson

Refining the machinery of creativity, or what heartbreak and hydraulics have to do with coaxing the muse.

• Where do your creative ideas come from? Explain
• Do you have think creatively?  Give an example.
• Have you ever experienced creative block?  If yes, give an example.  If no, why do you think you have never had this experience?
• Does procrastination play a role in inhibiting your creativity?

Start Scribbling!

If you have time, take a peek at what John Cleese of Monty Pylon fame has to say about creativity.

Creativity is not a talent. It is a way of operating.

Have a Creative Weekend!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Image Credit:  Break Through

Image Credit:  Brain Pickings

Writing Prompt: Letter to a Veteran...Happy Veterans Day

Image Credit: Graphics Fairy

Writing Prompt:  Write a letter to a Veteran

• Start by introducing yourself
• Then tell something about yourself
• Tell him/her how proud you are to be writing to a soldier 
• Ask questions
• Tell them about your school assignment
• Tell them what is going on in your home town
• Just plain old talk is all they want from us here...just what is going on and all...nothing fancy...something personal

A sample letter—

Dear Veteran,
     Thank you for serving our country. I am a student at JEJ Moore Middle School.  Our school is sponsoringa number of activities in honor of Veterans Day.  One activity is writing to the veterans who have been hospitalized.  We want you to be well, and we do thank you for your sacrifice. Our country is free because of people like you, so we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Please think of all the good things about America when you do your work, it is a fine country full of good and decent people, it has wonderful ideals, and we thank you for upholding the best of America. We send our best wishes to you and to your family. And again, thank you very much.

                                                                 Sincerely,

                                                                 Student Signature

Additional Resources:
Office of Vertern Affairs
Veterans Day: Background Information
History of Veterans Day

Now Start Scribling! 

P.S.  Consider giving your letter to a verteran.  If you are completing this prompt for Mrs. White's English class, your letters will be given to Veterans of past war/conflicts who are at McQuire Veterans Hospital to ensure that all former soldiers who are hospitalized will recieve some form of appreciation on Veterans Day.  All final drafts are due to Mrs. White by October 26, 2012.  

Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Writing Prompt: What Would You Do If Money Were No Object? Alan Watts on the Life of Purpose

Image Credit:  The Way of Zen

"One key question for breaking free of consumer culture’s hamster wheel."

Watch the remixed video entitled “What Would You Do if Money Were No Object” which takes Alan Watts' (1915-1973), the British philosopher and writer of the cult-classic The Way of Zen, ideas and remixes them into a short video which Brain Pickings summed up as a video where, "...Watts asks the seemingly simple question of what you would do if money were no object."

After viewing the film read the following quote:

"If you say that money is the most important thing, you’ll spend your life completely wasting your time: You’ll be doing things you don’t like doing in order to go on living, that is, in order to go on doing things you don’t like doing — which is stupid!"

Do you agree with the statement or disagree with the statement?  Why or why not?  Don't forget, a minimum of five sentences is required.  Start Scribbling!

Additional Resource:

How to Find Your Purpose and Do What You Love: Why prestige is the enemy of passion, or how to master the balance of setting boundaries and making friends.

Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Writing Prompt: A Message for Mankind Delivered by Charlie Chaplin

Image Credit:  Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator 

“We want to live by each others’ happiness, not by each other’s misery.”

Watch the remixed video entitled “A Message for Mankind” which is described by Brain Pickings as "...a stirring mashup of Charlie Chaplin’s famous speech from The Great Dictator and scenes of humanity’s most tragic and most hopeful moments in recent history, spanning everything from space exploration to the Occupy protests, with an appropriately epic score by Hans Zimmer."

After viewing the video, write at least five sentences sharing your reaction to the film.  Include in your answer what you think the message or theme of the film might be?  Start Scribbling!

Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Writing Prompt: Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe

Illustrations by Harry Clarke for Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of Mystery and Imagination

Edgar Allan Poe is considered one of the masters of horror, and with this being the month for tricks and treats it seems appropriate to give Poe a nod...

Watch the video The Boundaries of Life and Death, a German short film inspired by Poe.  After viewing the video, write at least five sentences sharing your reaction to the film.  Make sure if you say you liked the video or disliked the video that you include in your answer why or why not.

 The Boundaries of Life and Death and inspired by Poe


Second question:  Are you a fan of horror?

Third Question:  Have you read anything by Poe?  If so, what and did you like it?  Include in your answer why or why not.  Start Scribbling!

Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!