New to Stealing Plums... An Interview with Michael A Shapiro

Fab news.  I've just posted An Interview with Michael A Shapiro to the Guest Starring page of my sister blog, Stealing Plums.  I know you'll enjoy his fabulous photographs, and his thoughts on the creative process give you an inside look at the man behind the camera.  Here's a sneak preview...

Photograph by Michael A Shapiro

Fabulous Article on Pinhole Photography- Check Out These Pix!

Smashing Magazine recently published an amazing article on pinhole photography.  The photos taken with these simple cameras are smply amazing!  I was also stoked to see directions for making your own pinhole camera at home- perfect for you folks that like to get your hands dirty and learn a skill from the ground up. 

Here's what I've been photographing lately...

"Story of a Selkie Wife" Published on Addictive Fiction

New to my Guest Starring Page...

Author Jessica Goody was so inspired by one of my Story-Starters in a recent Creativity Portal article that she wrote "Story of a Selkie Wife."  When she shared it with me, I knew I had to publish it here.  This haunting tale is thought-provoking, dark, and ultimately uplifting.  For more of Jessica's scribblings, please visit her blog, Much Magic.

Using Photographs to Inspire Writing... New Work by Hank Kellner

Fabulous news!  Photographer, writer and educator Hank Kellner is contributing a ten-part series of articles about photoelicitation- using photos to inspire writing.  His words and photos can be found on my Guest Starring page.  For a daily dose of inspiration, please visit his blog, English Education.

Looking for an Inspirational Summer Read? Look No Further...

My newest offering at Creativity Portal is sure to kick the writer's block blues.  Feeling stuck in the muck?  Got the blues, the blahs, or a combination of the two?  Check out the August article in my "Multicultural Muses" series,  How to Be Your Own Best Muse: 101 Ways to Delight and Inspire Yourself.  This juicy read is sure to get your pen moving! 

What's Blooming in Your Backyard? 

Lush Creativity, Juicy Words, and Wildly Colored Butterflies

Fabulous New Article Goes Live!

My newest scribblings have found a home online, at English Education, Hank Kellner's amazing blog.  My article, Irises Blooming in the Garden of Dreams, discusses ways for educators to help students get excited about writing. 

This article also shows writers how to create a writer's notebook, a sort of catch-all for ideas, plot twists, and inspirations.  Need some creative juiciness?  Check it out!

If you're interested in seeing my words and pics on your site, send an email to stealingplums@yahoo.com.

Thinking About Starting a Writer's Group? Read This First.

Exciting news!  I recently contributed a new article, "Seven Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting a Writers' Group,"  to Chuck Sambuchino's blog, Guide to Literary Agents.  If you're thinking about starting a writers' group, this is a must-read!

"Seven Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting a Writers' Group" is the first in a series of articles dedicated to starting, growing, and maintaining a writers' group.  It is a practical, down-to-earth piece, based on my experiences as founder and facilitator of Durango's own Wild Women Writing.

Wild Women Writing is a group for emerging and established female writers in the Durango area, and is sponsored by the Durango Women's Resource Center.  I've been working with Wild Women Writing for nearly three years.  What a fabulous group of ladies...they inspire me every day.  I love watching those tender blossoms bloom and unfold. 

If you're at a point in your career where you're ready to give something back to the writing community, I highly recommend starting a group for emerging writers, or volunteering time to teach writing workshops geared towards new authors.  It's such an amazing way to connect with others, and there is truly no greater joy than watching that nervous shy girl in the corner blossom into a strong, confident writer who can bring the house down when she finally dares to read her work aloud.

Who's That Shy Bloom Amongst the Briars?

A Budding Writer, Aching to Tell Her Tale

Plunge Into Poetry Strikes Again!

Talented poet and educator Penny MacPherson has written a second lesson for her "Plunge Into Poetry" mini-workshop.  You'll find her contributions on my  Guest Starring... page.  This offering focuses on creating an acrostic poem- fun for poets of any age!  Click on the link and try it out.

Many thanks to my contributors for keeping my creative garden full of new blooms, wild seeds, and inspiration-trees!  It's been a lush summer season in the studio, with new projects growing wild!  Lately, I've been inspired to do some gardening, and to take a few new photos around the neighborhood.  I'll be sharing those with you here as the season progresses.  Here's a sampling of what's blooming on Durango's South Side!

New Interviews Posted on Creativity Portal!

This month marks the end of an era.  For the past ten months, I have been interviewing Jill Badonsky's Nine Modern-Day Muses (and a Bodyguard!), in hopes of learning their secrets.  It must have worked some kind of magic on me, because I've finally made the leap from a day job to my dream job- and I'm loving it!  The insights gleaned during my interviews for Creativity Portal inspired me to leave the workaday world and strike out on my own as a freelancer. 

My Interview with Marge, the Muse of Okay-Now-Let's-Get-Started, is the latest in my exclusive series, "Multicultural Muses."  I love Marge's practical, no-nonsense energy- she fires me up to take the next step on my creative path.  What's brewing for next month?  A brand-new article about inspiring yourself, and using your own experiences as an inspiration for creative work.   Got a sticky problem to solve?  Need a little motivation, a laugh, or some inspired silliniess?  Visit Jill's website, The Muse Is In, for assistance with all your creative quandaries.

What's Blooming? New Interviews and Creative Excitement!

Photograph of Blooming Dogwood by Cynthia Staples

July's Interview with Cynthia Staples, the latest addition to my interview series, "Creating a Fun, Fabulous Career in the Arts," is an in-depth conversation about her journey as a writer and photographer.  To view more of Cynthia's amazing photos, please visit Words and Images by Cynthia.  Cynthia's been kind enough to share some of her photos here...

Robin's Egg

Photograph by Cynthia Staples

Dandelion Wishes

Photograph by Cynthia Staples

Boy and Bird

Photograph by Cynthia Staples

A Study in Contrasts

Great news!  I've been asked to contribute a photograph and some words of inspiration to Hank Kellner's amazing writing and photography blog, English Education.  Follow the link to my photograph and essay, A Study in Contrasts. 

I'll be contributing to other sites as I continue to grow my freelancing business and make new contacts, and I'll make sure to keep you in the loop.  If you'd like me to contribute to your website or blog, please send an email with the details to stealingplums@yahoo.com.  I offer professional blogging services; freelance writing, art, and photography; copywriting and editing; and creativity consultations.  Too busy to blog?  Need a creative solution to a knotty problem?   I'd love to help.  Let's connect!

A Closer Look

Photograph by Molly Anderson-Childers

Plunge Into Poetry Workshop Posted to Addictive Fiction!

Visit my Guest Starring... page for a fabulous mini-workshop by noted poet Penny MacPherson.  "Plunge Into Poetry" is an inspirational offering for writers and educators alike, with fun activities that can be adapted for any age or skill level.  Check it out!

I'm currently seeking submissions for my blogs from emerging and established writers, photographers, and artists.  If you'd like to see your work on Addictive Fiction or Stealing Plums, please send a query via email to stealingplums@yahoo.com.

White Iris Reaching For The Sun

Photograph by Molly Anderson-Childers

Celebrating The Glorious Fourth the Edible Way...

Not sure what to do for the Fourth?  If you live in Southwest Colorado, check out my local events blogs at Edible San Juan Mountains for some sizzling ideas. 

Durango's got quite a celebration planned, and the fireworks display in nearby Silverton is always a stunner.  If you're a little further afield, check out Paonia's historic Cherry Days Festival, which is jumping off today.  Festivities continue all weekend with a full calendar of events.  Enjoy live music, an art auction, a carnival, street dances, and more in lovely Paonia, Colorado.

What's your favorite memory of the Fourth?  Got a great photo you'd love to share?  Send an email to stealingplums@yahoo.com and let me know, and I'll publish the best of the bunch here at Addictive Fiction.

Flowers Are Nature's Fireworks...

Happy Fourth of July!

Photograph by Molly Anderson-Childers

Excellent New Resources for Educators

If you are an educator, writer, or artist, I hope you'll find resources and inspiration here.  I've worked as an art and writing instructor, and am well-acquainted with the difficulties and challenges faced by educators in today's classrooms.   Teachers are the great unsung heroes of our time.

If you are an educator, I salute you!  Since I can't give you all a shiny red apple, I wanted to offer up a few resources for you in this post. 

If you're in need of classroom materials that work in the real world, please visit Cottonwood Press - their site has a wealth of resources to make your job a little easier! 

For how-to activities, ideas, and inspiration, check out Creativity Portal. 

Looking for fresh new ways to inspire young writers?  Visit Hank Kellner's blog, English Education, for a look at his evocative, intriguing photos.  This blog helps educators use photographs to inspire their students to write poetry, fiction, and essays.

If you have a resource or link to share, please email me at stealingplums@yahoo.com and I'll post it here!

What Inspires You?

Photograph by Molly Anderson-Childers