Stir up your senses and engage your imagination!
What does autumn taste like to you?
19 Comments on Taste Buds and Fall, last added: 10/12/2012
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By: Jan Mader,
on 10/8/2012
Blog: Jan Mader Ignite to Write (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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By: Jan Mader,
on 9/22/2012
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By: Jan Mader,
on 10/20/2009
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JacketFlap tags: writers, teachers, creative genuises, aspiring writers, creative flow, creative writing, Add a tag
By: Jan Mader,
on 9/30/2009
Blog: Jan Mader Ignite to Write (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: creative writing, writers, teachers, Writing Exercise, creative genuises, aspiring writers, creative flow, Add a tag
By: Jan Mader,
on 9/13/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 9/2/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 8/16/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 8/10/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 7/23/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 7/11/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 7/6/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 6/19/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 10/8/2012
Blog: Jan Mader Ignite to Write (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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By: Jan Mader,
on 9/22/2012
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Use your senses to conjure up images of fall. Think about how autumn smells. How it tastes. How it feels. Think about how autumn sounds.
Now wallow in the joy of language as you finish the sentence below:
Autumn seemed to burst with beauty as I.....
17 Comments on Use Your Senses as a Trigger, last added: 10/6/2012
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By: Jan Mader,
on 10/20/2009
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It's all about perspective really. It's about how things seem when we see them, hear them, taste them, feel them, or smell them. Since we've been writing with perception and our senses,, let's keep going!
Let's unleash our imaginations and dazzle our papers with words and thoughts that are free from stress or purpose!
Fantasize and be unconventional! Have fun while you write... be spontaneous.
Write about how green smells or spaghetti sounds or how a book tastes. Write about what a bell feels like or how a stomach ache looks.
This kind of activity reminds us how important our senses are when it comes to writing. It reminds us of the power of words and the wonder of language. It's all about perspective once again!
7 Comments on Perception, Our Senses, and Us!, last added: 10/22/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 9/30/2009
Blog: Jan Mader Ignite to Write (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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When I go to the library (to chose a book to read) I always do the same thing. I open an attractive book and read the first sentence. More often than not, I know right then and there if I want to check the book out of the library. Same thing when I go to the book store.
That first sentence has make me want to read more. Same with editors. If a manuscript you submit doesn't have a first sentence that reaches out and grabs that reading editor by the throat, it's going to go into the slush pile.
I know that all of us don't aspire to become published authors and that's just fine. As long as we are having fun, that's more than fine, it's terrific!
Since we've been painting with words, drawing from our memories, and using all of our senses, we should be good to go with a writing activity I thought of today!
Here goes:
Write one sentence that would make anyone want to read more!
I'll go first:
A whisper-soft breeze blew through her hair like the calm before a storm.
Your turn! You'll do better than me. Come back more than once if you feel inspired to write more than one reader-grabbing sentence!
26 Comments on That First Sentence...., last added: 10/4/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 9/13/2009
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I thought it would be interesting to write about US all week long! Since know one knows us better than us, we should do a pretty good job!
Five words can tell a lot. They can paint an honest to goodness picture when you throw in a little imagination. My daughter-in-law is a second grade teacher. She asked her students to use only five words to tell about themselves. You may think that's not a lot, but it is...especially if you can read between the lines. One boy in her class wrote: My dad is in jail. Those five words told me a lot about this young man. They painted a picture of his life for me.
I know we did it before, but let's do the same activity as the kids in that second grade class. Use only five words to tell about yourself. Try not to think too hard!
I'll go first: I need to be busy! (What does that tell you about me?)
Your turn! Use five words to tell us about you.
Teachers and parents, as usual, you can do this activity orally or in written form. Don't forget to model the exercise first or you'll get responses like: I have long brown hair. That's not the kind of picture we want to paint! Rejoice in the good time that a simple writing exercise can offer.
8 Comments on All About You and Me Week!, last added: 9/14/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 9/2/2009
Blog: Jan Mader Ignite to Write (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kids, creative writing, teachers, play with words, aspiring writers, creative flow, Add a tag
A teacher left me a message last week asking if I could make our writing exercises match the curriculum being taught. The answer is, "Yes I can!" However, I'd rather do that on a one to one basis. If you're a teacher and you need something specific, please let me know. I'll respond to you by email.
Honestly, like I've said before, I believe the foundation for good writing comes from the freedom to fool around with language and words. That happens when we just play! So, let's have some more fun!
Let's start are own quote anthology!
Here's how:
Share your favorite quote. (It doesn't need to be exact.)
or
Write your own quote for us to remember!
I'll go first. My favorte quote is: Life isn't measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away.
32 Comments on Quote a Quote!, last added: 9/6/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 8/16/2009
Blog: Jan Mader Ignite to Write (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: teachers, aspiring writers, joy of writing, creative flow, creative writing, Add a tag
I just returned home from a wonderful weekend with two of my lifelong friends, Joan and Linda. You'd think my brain would be filled with ideas. It's not. So when I have a hard time concentrating on one idea, I just let my pencil or computer keys write about anything and everything.
This time I want you to help me! Please go to the comment section. Check the comment directly before where you will leave your comment and write the first thing that comes to your mind ...for example, if the comment you see is dog, your word might be cat. Words, sentences, or phrases are fine. Remember nothing you write is wrong. Everything you write is right!
I'll start us at the comment section. You'll see. Go play!
Teachers, this is a great way to break the ice the first few weeks of school. Your kids will look forward to this activity. Why? Because it's pure, simple, and spontaneous!
Writers, this activity will snap you out of writer's block. Later, you might want to chose one of these ideas and really use it to write something specific. Oh! By the way, if you want to have some more creative fun, head over to Sasha's blog for an ongoing story!
Okay. I'm ready. Go look at the comments!
37 Comments on I Can't Think or.... PLAYTIME AGAIN!!!, last added: 8/18/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 8/10/2009
Blog: Jan Mader Ignite to Write (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: play with words, aspiring writers, creative flow, write a story, creative writing, teachers, homeschoolers, Add a tag
No matter how young or old we are, word play should never end. I do the same writing exercises with aspiring authors that I do with 1st grade children. It's true!
Creative talking is the starting point for creative writing.
Life experiences ignite ideas. We've all had a good news experience that had a consequence. A great way to write a story is just by reaching back into our memory. If you've been writing with me for awhile, braindrop!
Think of this as another list. We'll call it our Good News Bad News list. I'll go first:
The good news is that I killed a horsefly that was biting the heck out of Tango yesterday.
The bad news is that I got blood all over my hand and new riding shirt.
Your turn! Let's play! Get creative and have fun! I know all you animal lovers out there will have tons of ideas. Bring them on!!!
17 Comments on Playtime! Good News - Bad News, last added: 8/19/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 7/23/2009
Blog: Jan Mader Ignite to Write (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: creative writing, creative genuises, aspiring writers, creative flow, share your story, Add a tag
We've come up with some pretty amazing lists in the past week. First we listed words that showed movement. Then we listed words or phrases that described a person we knew (or had seen). We created a setting and then we described the place more by using words or phrases that showed spacial direction.
To be perfectly honest, you guys came up with better ideas than me. That's what I like about writing with you! It's lonely being a writer. It's fun having creative people who love to write and create.
With that being said, let's look back at our lists and write a quick paragraph using some of the words or phrases from each list. The words or phrases can come from your list - or someone else's list.
Here's my paragraph:
As Mary drifted past me she brushed her long ashen brown hair away from her face. I watched as she ambled under the umbrella of trees and looked out toward the lush green pastures. Mary is as mighty as she is tiny. It didn't surprise me a bit when she shoved open the heavy metal gate and picked up the overturned water trough. It surprised me even less when Mary gave every horse that came up to see her an affectionate pat. As she engaged each horse, drifting more into their world, I felt as though time stood still.
Your turn. Write as little or as much as you want. Just refer to the lists and have fun! I just did!
Just so you know, I'm leaving for a horse show tomorrow afternoon. I won't be back until Sunday evening. I'll check my blog then. Wish me luck!
4 Comments on Let's Put It Together!, last added: 8/2/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 7/11/2009
Blog: Jan Mader Ignite to Write (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: creative genuises, joy of writing, creative flow, kids, lists, Add a tag
I visited Suzanne's blog yesterday and she listed five things that made her happy last week. Her words made me think. I'm big on lists. I think they get creativity flowing. They're quick. They're easy. They can be saved and used for future writing projects.
So this week will be our list week! For starters, list five things that will make you smile this week. Here's my list:
1. my kids, husband, sister or all (I combined them...couldn't help it)
2. my animals
3. a phone call
4. my friends
5. blogging with you!
What will make you smile this week? List five things! Please share.
Have fun thinking and writing. Remember that writing starts in your mind and heart. I'm smiling already!
10 Comments on Lists - Quick and Easy -Smile!, last added: 7/19/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 7/6/2009
Blog: Jan Mader Ignite to Write (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: creativity, senses, creative genuises, aspiring writers, creative flow, write a story, Add a tag
You guys are so good, I think it's time we combine our creativity. I'm going to start a story. What I'd like you to do is to add to the story. Just a sentence will do the trick. In order to do this, you're going to have to read the first sentence here on the post and then read the comments as they come in...I'm excited already!
Are you ready? Here's the beginning of our story:
We were sitting around the bonfire last night when the most amazing thing happened.......
You take it from here! This story belongs to US. It's ours to play with. It's ours to give it colorful characters and delightful twists and turns.
I can't wait to see where our story goes. Since I started it, I think it's only fair that I end it on Thursday. So until then, let's create our very own masterpiece. Feel free to come back and add more to the story as you see how it develops! In fact, I think that would be a great idea.
Please share this activity with your blogging friends. They more people we have, the more interesting our story will be! Kids are always welcome here.
41 Comments on Let's Write a Story Together!, last added: 7/12/2009
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By: Jan Mader,
on 6/19/2009
Blog: Jan Mader Ignite to Write (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: creativity, creative genuises, creative flow, children's writing exercise, Add a tag
Looking for some creative minds to go over to my other blog and leave your comments. You can also click on my very cool paw print.... to get there.
I asked the question: Is grass a vegetable? I'd love some fun answers. I know you guys can do it....please hop over!
Ask your kids to help you. Better yet, ask them to help me!
3 Comments on Help Wanted....errrr maybe I mean Help Needed!, last added: 6/19/2009
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Autumn tastes like the last cookout of the season. The one that ends with a bonfire and begins with the grill. It tastes like hamburgers cooked during the last of the daylight. It tastes like burned marshmellows in the pitch blackness of night twitsted and turned over a bluish golden glow. Autumn tastes like my favorite season of the year!
This one is easy for me: pumpkin pie!
Tastes sweet at first as the fresh air comes, then gets bitter after taste as winter is creeping up to freeze our bums.
Plum crumble and custard!
Leaves!
Autumn tastes like hot apple cider and cinnamon on a crisp day, sitting outside at an apple orchard. Contemplating the beauty of the season, surrounded by rustling trees and pumpkins scattered everywhere as the sunset beckons just a little earlier than the day before.
burnt sausages and chestnuts!
What is this tantalizing taste on my tongue? It is the blackened gooey goodness of marshmallows, mouth-watering melted chocolate, and crispy crunchy graham crackers. It is the taste of autumn. :)
Apples with cinnamon, pumpkin pie, and cider.
Autumn tastes of caramel apples and homemade applesauce. I can close my eyes and taste candy corn and popcorn. The best of all for me, Autumn tastes of fresh hot sugar coated doughnuts with a cup of apple cider.
Anne and Sasha
That does it! Need to go eat!!!
woodsmoke & wet leaves decaying in next years hope for life....
Autumn tastes like all kinds of comfort food and lends itself to the season of the turkey!
It taste like a damp stick in the morning from the frost on the grass. Turst me, as a dog this is a beautiful thing.
Blessings,
Goose
It tastes dry and crispy with a hint of smoke. Perhaps the long drought is on my mind as I eat though. I think I need a drink to wash it down...:(
It tastes like dead leaves on the dirty ground when you know I'm out of town or some shit. You should check out my band Terminally Ill on my blog that I wrote about them.
Chili..that's what autumn tates like to me. Spicy chili!!!
red apples
Right now, because of the things I've been doing, Autumn tastes like Prince Of Wales special blend tea, peppermint rock candy, salty chips and Mexican pasta! Not a typical start to Autumn, but one that I've certainly enjoyed, haha!