Tell Me Something I Don't Know

Finish this sentence:

Did you know that______________________________________?


Make it really special by painting a picture with your words. Here's an example of what I mean:

Plain old ordinary sentence: Did you know that I have a horse?

Colorful sentence: Did you know I have a horse who is as strong as a freight train?

A Twist to Our List!

We are now the proud owners of a huge list of city words. If you don't believe me, go take a look!

We can even make our list of city words better by taking just one word and expanding on it by creating more words.

For example, if I chose the word house for my city word, I would start to think about things that were in the house and create a new list. Example: couch, kitchen, pets, family....

So, go look at the list of city words (or use one of the words that you left or remember seeing) and write it at the top of your comment section. Add two or three words that paint a picture to show us what you envision.

I'll go first:
traffic light (is my word)
stopped cars
red light
yellow light
green light
cars go fast
cars run light
cars crash

See what I mean? Now it's your turn to play with words. Let's give our CITY LIST a twist! Pick a CITY word and expand on it..have fun!

Lists, Lists, and More Lists!

That's what we're going to be doing! We are going to create lists of words that we can use for any kind of writing at all. Our lists will be filled with words for special purposes. They can be used to build characters. They can be used for creativity. They can be used to paint pictures that draw readers into our writing.

Most of us don't write stories to get them published. Most of us write stories to entertain our readers!

Our lists will be on file for our own personal use. We can copy them or come back here to use them anytime we want. Some very insightful and creative people leave comments here. If you're reading this, you know what I'm talking about!

So, here's our activity:

Help me build a list of city words.

These words can be anything that you think of that would create a setting that would depict a city.

I'll for first.

1. bus

Haberdashery of Words!

I was away competing at a horse show all weekend. When I got home I looked at the list of words in the comment section of the last writing activity we did together.

I am so excited by all the new and interesting words, I don't want to stop. So, now you look at the last activity again and let's keep going! Listen for more amazing, beautiful, rhythmic words or phrases for the next few days. List them for no other reason than the way they sound.

Let's make more music for our ears together!

Here's my new word: dollop

Here's my new phrase: Click clop goes the horse!

Your turn to add to our very own thesaurus of fascinating words!

One Word Wednesday

I like this game.

What's the first word or phrase that comes to your mind when I say autumn?

Ready, set, go!

AS FAST AS I CAN!

Okay. I'm gong to do this post as fast as I can because my computer keeps coming and going. The cable man was going to come today to work on the cable lines, but now it's going to be tomorrow...darn!

Thanks to Tweedles we can write together on the fly! I don't know about you, but I have to hurry before it's too late...

Meet Tweedles!

Give the photo a caption!

Take a Trip On an Owl!

Once again I've been inspired by Tweedles. She sent me a photo of an owl in her backyard and asked, "Would you like to ride him?"

I didn't even take the time to think about the fact that I probably couldn't ride Owlbert...at least not tonight...I just began to think about where I'd like to go!

So, with Tweedle's permission, I'm going to share the photo that she sent me and ask you the same question. Forget that you're all grown up and let your imagination run away with you!


Would you like to ride Owlbert? Don't be shy! Let your inner-child take over and have the trip of your lifetime! Where will you go on Owlbert? What will you do? How will you feel? How will Owlbert feel? HAVE FUN! No need for a long explanation...unless you want to.....just a few words about where you're going on your adventure! You can travel lots of your journey in your mind's eye!

Teachers: Ask your kids the same question! Creating an environment that says it's okay to be joyfully imaginative lends itself to lovely colorful creative writing!

Use Your Senses to Show Your Favorite Time of Day!

The smell of my coffee brewing alerted me to the start of a new day. The sunshine was just beginning to peek through my half-opened bedroom curtains offering promises of great things to come. I rubbed my sleepy eyes and threw on my cozy robe to trudge downstairs. My two dogs followed me (like shadows at my heels) and I cracked the backdoor to let them go out and come back in at their leisure. By the time I flung open my kitchen windows I was as awake as the birds that were singing in harmony from the treetops. I watched three deer peacefully nibbling on grass and clover in the field behind my house and realized that without a doubt, early morning is my favorite time of day.
YOUR TURN! What is your favorite time of day?

I AM A WORD-LOVER...ARE YOU?

I love words and since they are the foundation of writing, I think that playing with them in unusual ways makes for magical writing.

Thinking outside the box is exciting and fun. Using words in a way that we wouldn't normally use them is thought provoking and down right exhilarating! So let's paint pictures with our words!

Use each word below to write one sentence that will describe a sunset or a thunderstorm.
Here are the words:
scratch
congeal
growl
murmur

I'll go first!
1. The lightening scratched the earths surface and sent sparks flying into the air.
2. The young moon seemed to congeal with the sun as the pink day turned into a yellow night.
3. Thunder growled across the sky and shoved rain from the clouds.
4. The earth seemed to murmur "goodnight" as the sun left the last kiss of daylight.

Your turn! Use the words to write as many sentence as you like or use your own unique words to describe a sunset or a thunderstorm. If you use your own UNIQUE WORDS, please put them in all caps so we can be blown away by your creativity! (If you just want to write one sentence and use one of the words that's just fine!)

Teachers, you can use this same activity in your classroom. Just adapt it to make it grade level appropriate. For example, your words to describe a storm might include chili, marshmellows, crash, and gush. Any of these activities can be done orally. Just remember you go first!

Power of Words ....PLAYTIME!

All of us have different reactions to situations. On hot days, some of us might think about a walk in the park or a dive into a swimming pool. Not me. Hot days make me feel L A Z Y !

Our writing activity is as simple as that. Think of words or phrases that when you say them make you feel or think about the word lazy. I already went first. I feel lazy on HOT DAYS!

Your turn!

Teachers, this is the kind of activity that unlocks young minds. It encourages kids to think outside the box! I can't think of a better way to start a morning!

Think Fast!

Quick! What does ANGER smell like?

Playtime! Paint a Picture With Your Words

Once again, reading something that Tweedles wrote gave me an idea. That's what writers do...we inspire each other. Tweedles started a story with: The raging sea was roaring like a lion. What a picture that painted for me!

Tweedles could have just said: the sea was rough or the waves were big. She would have told me something. I might have yawned and read on. Instead, Tweedles showed me. She used her words as though they were art on a canvas. Her words excited me and made me want to read more.

Her words inspired the following writing exercise! Chose one or two of the following words to describe by painting a picture:

sea
clouds
sky
mountains
dog
husband
wife
boyfriend
girlfriend
best friend
brother
sister

I'll go first.
The sea rolled in like a bowling ball thrown in the gutter.
or: The sea washed away like water down the drain.

My sister curled up on the couch like a tired kitten.
or: My sister squirmed on the couch while she twisted her curly hair around her finger.

Your turn! Show us with your words. Paint a vivid picture!

Use your senses help you. Let's your mind's eye go crazy. Think outside the box! Have fun. Take chances. Let yourself go! If you want to describe another word that's fine. Put it in all caps so we'll notice your word right away.

Teachers, do this exercise with your kids orally first. Remember, creative talking leads to exciting writing!

Come back as often as you think of ideas. I'll leave this post up through the weekend. Let's inspire each other!

How's It Feel?

I just got back from posting on my animal blog. I wrote about a rainy day at the farm where I board my horse, Tango. Writing that post made me think about how the day felt. It was raining and the air was full of moisture. Honestly, it felt as though I could drink the air.

Sometimes the rain was hard. Sometimes it was soft. Do you feel a writing experience coming on? Hold onto your hats because I sure do!

Here are two questions for you to answer:

1. How does hard rain feel?

2. How does soft rain feel?

Here are my answers:
1. Hard rain feels like nails jabbing through my skin.
2. Soft rain feels like water from a slow sprinkler on a hot summer day.

Your turn! I'll post the questions again in the comment section. As usual, come back as often as ideas pop into your mind. Our list of descriptions can only get better!

New Word Game...Thanks to Tweedles!

If you're new to my blog and don't know who Tweedles is, please check out the comments to the last post and then go visit her blog. She's fun and creative!

Tweedles game me an idea for our next word game. All I want you to do is answer two questions.


1. What can a gentle breeze blow?

2. What can a strong wind blow?

Here are my answers:

1. tissue

2. a filled-to-the-brim flower pot C R A S H !

Everyone can play this fun word game. Usually the easiest answers are the ones that come to your mind first. It will help to look at the other comments, because they'll stir up more memories than you can imagine.

Your turn! What can a gentle breeze blow? What can a strong wind blow? Think fast!

As usual, feel free to come back again. Bring your kids!

Early Morning Lists!

It's 2:33 in the morning and what am I doing? I'm thinking about words...what else? Below is a list of words that I use to help me paint an even better picture of a place I'm trying to describe...yes ONE place again. Look at my word list and chose five words to help you add more to your description.

If you're just joining us, describe ONE place (setting) that's in your mind's eye. By the way, if you're a teacher or a homeschooler, this is a fun way to teach prepositions. If you're a writer, these words will make you better writers. Most of all, just have fun. Do not worry about grammar with these exercises. Just wallow in the joy of what these words can conjure up in your imagination!

My list of words for you:
about
above
across
after
against
along
among
around
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
between
by
down
during
except
for
from
in
in front of
inside
instead of
into
like
near
of
off
on
onto
on top of
out of
outside
over
past
since
through
to
toward
under
underneath
until
up
upon
with
within
without

I'll use my list and go first!

Underneath the umbrella of trees
within the pasture fences
in front of the old door
between the gate and the mud puddle
among the sweet clovers

Your turn! Please share what you come up with. Coincidentally, you may have already used some of these words. Hmmm....I wonder!

More Lists - Don't You Just Love Them?

Okay. Onward and Upward. Now we're going to make a list of words to describe someone. That someone can be a family member, friend, casual acquaintance, or someone you just observed at your local coffee shop.

Close your eyes. Get a person in you mind. Now then, think about what three to five words or phrases you would use to describe that person. The words or phrases can show physical attributes, emotional characteristics, or fashion sense. Actually, anything goes. Draw your senses into this activity if you like.

I'm thinking of my person right now. Here are five words I would use to describe her:

1. hard working
2. long ashen brown hair
3. tiny but mighty
4. smells like sweet grain
5. tired

Your turn!

Just Words - Really?

Let's start another list. This time let's make a list of words that indicate movement of any kind.
Think outside the box for this one. Leaves rustle when they move in the fall wind. Rabbits scurry when they dart out in front of your car. You get the idea. Have fun with this exercise!

Now it's your turn. List three words that show movement. Be creative!

1.
2.
3.

We'll use these words for something else later on, I promise! The more lists we get, the better. Please pass this activity along to anyone who likes to blog. Bloggers are writers!

KABOOM!

Happy 4th of July!

If you've been writing with me since January, you know all about braindropping. If you haven't, please take a minute to go back a look at the original post after you have fun with a mini version of a firecracking writing activity right now!

I braindrop with people of all ages. With young children (or when I'm short on time) we do it orally. I say a word and then rely on spontaneity. "Quick! Say the first word that comes to your mind when I say, summer," I tell the kids.

If you're really doing this game with a group of people, you play the same way. Never slow down. Quick! Quick! Quick! If you get to a person who doesn't have an immediate word, that person should say: "I can't think." Move to the next person faster than a race car that's in first place on the last lap. This is what makes braindropping fun.

Okay. Quick! What's the first word that comes to your mind when I say, "July 4th"? My word is the title of this post! Maybe I'll interject a couple of other words as we get on a roll!

Let's Have Some Fun - Poetry About Pets and People

My blogs bring me so much joy. I love the creative curiosity that abounds from this writer's blog and my blog for animal lovers too. Sometimes I feel like I'm glued to your blogs. Many of your are such good writers that I feel like I'm in the middle of a good book or even a part of your lives.

Believe it or not, Tweedles (a pug dog) stopped by here the other day and asked me to share a creative writing activity.

Off the top of my head, I suggested that I could learn more about Tweedles by an activity that requires thinking outside the box. Somehow, I have a feeling lots of you are going to have a really good time with this activity too.

Many of you have used your senses to create this same poem (in another way) that I suggested for Tweedles. This time, I'd like you to use your senses to describe a pet or person that you really like. Play with words. Wallow in language. Have fun!

I asked Tweedles to fill in the blanks:

Tweedles looks like __________
She smells like __________
She sounds like _________
She tastes like __________
She feels like __________
Tweedles makes me want to ________

Here's Tweedle's poem!
Tweedles looks like a cute baby monkey
She smells like bubble gum
She sounds like a seagull with its mouth full of crackers
She tastes like strawberry shortcake
She feels like the softest velvet ever
Tweedles makes me want to giggle!

Here's the poem that I wrote about my granddaughter:
Alexa looks like a graceful swan
She smells like horses and shampoo
She sounds like a talking dictionary
She tastes like fresh fruit on a summer morning
She feels like a conditioned athlete
Alexa makes me want be a kid again!

Have any images formed in your mind? My guess is that they have.

Now it's your turn. Fill in the same blanks that Tweedles and I did. Choose an animal or person that you really have strong feelings about and use your senses to create a lovely picture with your words! I have no doubt that you'll be very descriptive. Why? Because you're writing from your mind and heart.

Can you do it? Yes you can! Please share!

Journals - Great for Kids and Grown-Ups too!

Many of you know that a few weeks ago I lost my scrappy little dog, Kelly. One of the first things I did was to write about him. Why? Because writing is a way to clear my mind. It's a way to get my feelings uncluttered and down on paper. Writing is therapeutic to me.

I chose to share my writing but the beauty of most journals is that they are not intended for an audience. They are, however, a good way to get rid of anger, take a close look at fear, or simply follow a vacation with words that won't be forgotten. Journals are a very good way to learn more about who you are and how you react to different situations.

Obviously, I love journals. Journals can be written in thousands of ways. Every journal can be unique to its author. It can start from writing prompts like: The most important thing that happened today was____________________.

or simply Guess what?

Writing prompts usually get the mind engaged but they're not necessary. Sometimes you'll discover that something you wrote and planned to keep to yourself is worthy of publication. You'll want to share what you wrote.

Journals are fun. Writing is fun. With journals, anything goes!

Do you already keep a journal? Has it helped you or your writing in general? If you have children, I've got loads of ideas for journal writing that are creative and quick. Let me know if you'd like any of them!