Writing Unleashed with Laura M. Harkins

Source My road trip to Boston at the end of August arrived just in time to relieve me from the constant head banging on the wall between me and my writing, blogging and freelance career. The permanent knot on my forehead, bald patches and a jaw that clicks every time I open my mouth has transformed me into a monster you might catch in the dark alleyways of Gotham City. I overdosed on advice in writing magazines, on writing-related websites and blogs. If you peek through the windows, you catch me wandering around the house strung out, too jittery to sit down at my laptop. As an information junkie, I hoarded writing techniques, strategies and prompts. I shoved them into every available space in my writing toolbox, reminding me of an overly prepared-style of packing. Overstuffed. I would sit on the lid to force it shut if it weren’t for the motivational quotes spilling over the sides keeping me from latching the damn thing. Then I come across an article contradicting th...

blog.larrybodine.com I received some exciting news last week. I found out I got the position as Online Courses Coordinator with Pennwriters, Inc . I’ve been busy orienting myself with the position and setting everything up so the position is low-maintenance. This way I can still do my own personal writing. My email and other social networking sites’ contact lists are growing. And slowly via the blogosphere I’ve been getting connected to my fellow bloggers. As I get more settled into my writing life, I have more time to devote to meeting new people. And through writing conferences and workshops I’ve learned the importance and reaped the benefits of social networking. So, I decided I would like to reach out to other bloggers and writers I’m not yet connected to by using today’s post as a networking social function. My social networks are listed below. Leave me a message with your networks. We can all help each other meet new people and make some great professional contacts.  ...

Pen pals.   People you’ve never met in person.   Living in different states and towns.   You write back and forth sharing details of your life.   I still have the picture and letters from my pen pal from elementary school.   She lived in California.   Her name has faded from memory and the pack of letters is hiding in a box somewhere, but the experience has stayed with me for 19 years.    While I was teaching middle school English, I realized my students didn’t have a clue about writing a letter.   How could this be possible?   Students were guided through the education system, graduating with less knowledge than I had when I was 11-years-old.   This could be a teachable moment.   Through a pen pal project my students would learn the proper letter format and conversational skills to keep their pal interested.   Then the light bulb turned on.   Children—digital natives—have grown up immersed in technology. ...