It was inevitable. I had the same algebra teacher for three versions of the subject in as many years of high school. An uninformed student asked the question every year. The rest of us just shook our heads and waited for the answer. Naive student: "Mrs. Poplin, I don't know why we have to learn this anyway. We're never going to use it." Mrs. … [Read more...]
Focusing on Writing When You Lack Focus
Do you ever have those days when you just flit around from one project to the next, feeling the chaos of the busyness in your schedule? I call those “butterfly days” when I’m bouncing from one project to the next, never landing anywhere for too long. I never feel productive on those days. I usually end the day feeling stressed and like … [Read more...]
There’s No Such Thing as Writer’s Block
I recently asked my students their views on writing. It seemed important when starting a fresh writing class to talk about how they think and feel about the craft. Imagine my surprise when one phrase that I don’t even believe in came up repeatedly. Writer’s block. The students talked about it. They think they’ve experienced it. It keeps them … [Read more...]
My Favorite Books of August
Don’t you just love balance? I mean, it’s so rare for things in life to be in balance that it’s a real treat when they are. That’s how I feel about my monthly reading progress. I gave three books perfect grades in August. It was one nonfiction book and two fiction. Doesn’t that just feel balanced? My Favorite Books of August … [Read more...]
5 Things I’ll Need to Survive the Fall (2023 Edition)
The weather certainly doesn’t feel like fall, but the academic year has begun, so it’s fall in my world. I already miss the freedom of the summer (my favorite season) while loving the busyness and possibility of the season ahead. Yes, I love the sun, water, the smell of coconut and suntan oil, but I love fall too. What a vibe! Fall has … [Read more...]
The Best Quotes About Writing Tight
I love a good quote. There’s just something about the ability to summarize a complex thought or issue concisely and creatively. As a journalist, I always loved any articulate source. But it wasn’t only the ability to say something fluently or coherently. It was the ability to say it well — that little creative spunk that gave the … [Read more...]
Making Time for Podcasts
You know that listening to podcasts is beneficial for so many reasons, including helping improve your writing and inspiring content ideas. But how on earth do you fit them in with all of the other things you have to do? Making time for podcasts must be intentional, just like making time for anything else you know you want or need to do, … [Read more...]
