5 Resolutions for the Reader in You
Happy New Year! After the holidays, I’ve added at least one more shelf worth of books to my home library. Every year, I ask for Barnes & Noble gift cards–though there are plenty more...
Tagged: Literature
4 Little-to-No Prep Strategies to Increase Student Reading Accountability
Kids don’t read. A sad fact that is only perpetuated by media and technology. Are media and technology ALWAYS to blame to you? Yes. Literature and stories are not dying, but the need to...
Building Reading Skills: Dr. Seuss for Allegory Analysis
As teachers, we strive to get students to perform at the highest level of the pedagogical taxonomy. Personally, I follow Bloom’s and cross-reference with Maslow’s psychological needs hierarchy. But, why…? It’s complicated. I’ll hit...
The Perfect Gift for the Avid Reader
What do readers like as gifts? Books, duh. *rolls eyes* Obviously, but, reading isn’t just a habit or hobby; reading is an experience, a lifestyle. All book nerds come to love everything related to...
How Non-Writing Activities Can Help Build Your Writing Skills: Game Stories
A former student of mine, Zane Indie I call him, actually honed in his writing passion through a game. I finally wanted to find out what these “game stories” were all about, so I interviewed him about his journey during 2.5 years playing Dungeons and Dragons.
5 Ancient Texts I Wish Were in My Library
My siblings noticed I was a nerd as a child when we would watch movies. If there was anything that sounded cool and historical–tattoo, book, weapon, anything–I would look it up. I want to show you five of my favorite ancient texts from movies and shows that I wish were in my library.
Movies that should be Books, Part 2
Back in part one of this series, I explained how some books just seem to really lend themselves to being a book. Just as books make great movies–sometimes; yes, sometimes–I feel like there are some stories that go great the other way, too.
The Writer’s Reading Challenge: My 2018 TBR List
If you want to be a good writer, you have to keep reading. So, I aimed for a book a month before last year and that really worked for me. This year I want to aim for two a month. What am I reading that abundantly? My To Be Read (TBR) list includes the following…
Movies That Should Be Books, Part 1
Whenever a book is adapted to a movie, all its readers flock to the theatre to see if the directors could pull off the text’s awesomeness. I wonder if the same would stand for...
What Exactly Do I Put in a Reading Journal?
To be a good writer, you have to be a good reader. That’s why I started keeping a reading journal. It’s an excellent tool to keep the reader in me alive!
Essential Literary Elements for Better Storytelling: 5 Other Elements
If you establish these other 5 elements along with the other three, you’re on a roll for a well-crafted story for others to enjoy for years.
What’s the Difference Between Theme & Motif?
I get it–it’s easier. But, that doesn’t mean it should be done. It kills me when my high school freshmen mix up motifs and themes. Thinking they’re interchangeable, it makes it almost impossible to...
5 Ways to Ward Off Writer’s Block
“If you’re anything like me, you aren’t in a writing mood very often”; the effects of being a writing teacher. These 5 ways will help you get there, though.
5 Allusions Every Reader Needs to Know to “Get It”
All readers need to know allusions. I found five common allusions you will find any smart character in anything referencing. Y’know, the cool-kid knowledge.
Novellas: the Original “Movies” & Why You Should Write One
Novellas are for those of us with too many ideas and not enough attention span. Especially when you have too much on your mind and not enough coffee.
