Things that inspire me to write #17: The Paper Bag Princess

January 12, 2013.Reading time 1 minute.

Her attire is not nearly as entrancing as some of her compatriots, however The Paper Bag Princess has something that most of them don’t: honey badger tenacity. The protagonist of this Robert Munsch story is not only able to pick herself up from the ashes (literally), and outsmart a dragon, but best of all, she stands […]

Things that inspire me to write #18: New Girl the Novel

January 11, 2013.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Whoot! whoot! for Joan…mostly. I ran into a woman I used to be in a writing group with this afternoon and found out one of the manuscripts she was working on, New Girl during our sessions was released as an e-book last October by Musa Publishing. And despite the initial twinge of envy I admit […]

Things that inspire me to write #19: Crayons

January 10, 2013.Reading time less than 1 minute.

There is nothing like a box of crayons to blast me with creativity on a grey, bill paying and carpet cleaning winter day. Just looking at all that rainbow potential makes me want to go sprinkle sparkles all over my car and make giant Smartie cookies for dinner. So thank you crayons, you inspire me.

Things that inspire me to write #20: Cinderella’s dress

January 8, 2013.Reading time 1 minute.

Even today, my heart beats a little faster whenever I get my hands on a copy of Cinderella. First I flip to the Fairy Fashion Intervention scene so that I can once again behold that dress, then it’s the picture of her Reunion with the prince (for obvious reasons), then her arrival at the ball, and […]

Things that inspire me to write #21: The Giving Tree

January 7, 2013.Reading time less than 1 minute.

It’s sweet, simple, a pretty accurate portrayal of what it means to be a parent and according to the inscription scrawled across my mom’s copy, The Giving Tree is the first book I ever read. Evidently Shel Silverstein‘s most well known publication set me off in the right direction, because not only do I still love to consume […]

Things that inspire me to write #22: Jonathan Livingston Seagull

January 7, 2013.Reading time 1 minute.

“Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding. Find out what you already know and you will see the way to fly.” ― Richard Bach, Jonathan Livingston Seagull My bed creaks like an elderly cat. Constantly. It is very annoying–especially whenever I think about replacing it with one […]

Things that inspire me to write #23: The Ocean

January 6, 2013.Reading time 1 minute.

“They see the sea, They hear its roar. There is something special about the shore. It soothes the spirit. It clears the mind. You can leave your cares and worries behind.” — The Berenstain Bears: Go on Vacation Just spent a morning at the beach with my toddler and though it was cold and windy and […]

Things that inspire me to write #24: Reading

January 4, 2013.Reading time 1 minute.

With a burst of new year’s resolve, I finally pulled a dusty book off the shelf last week and decided to get back to reading! After all, what better way is there to be a better me than through books (especially seeing as I ran out of good shows to watch on Netflix and 30 rock is […]

Things that inspire me to write #26: Pinky Dinky Doo

January 3, 2013.Reading time 1 minute.

You know have a toddler in your life when all the shows you are up to date on include at least one talking animal. Still, as the bronies phenomenon can attest to, there are some pretty quality children’s shows out there these days, providing not only reasonable entertainment but also promoting animal conservation, problem solving, […]

Things that inspire me to write #27: The New Year

January 1, 2013.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Like a great big piece of foolscap paper, 2013 has finally arrived, inviting us all to fill it up with marvelous doodles and excellent spelling. I think I may just do that—or at least give her a good try. So thank you New Year and all the potential you hold, you inspire me.