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# Sarah McElrath's World Walkings

Writing, reading, creating, seeking.

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://sarahmcelrath.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Blog](https://sarahmcelrath.com/blog/) - My musings as I seek to carve out writing and creating time amidst the chaos of life in the real world.
- [Must Have Character - Design, Describe, Develop](https://sarahmcelrath.com/presentation-on-character/) - I was asked to present a session on Character to a bunch of writers. What I found out is... it is really hard to separate character from plot, dialogue, and all the rest. I think maybe I overwhelmed them a bit. Should have pared it back a little. Still, I found it really helpful for
- [Metal Garland](https://sarahmcelrath.com/metal-garland/) - How to create a metal garland from recycled lids.
- [Quarantine Book Talk: Three Times Lucky](https://sarahmcelrath.com/quarantine-book-talk-three-times-lucky/) - Quarantine book talk for Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage.
- [Day 1 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-1-poetry-for-lent/) - Poems for Lent - Angel sighting I met an angel the other day, downtown, in the rain, by the swollen river. I was supposed to be scavenger hunting
- [Brokenness and Joy](https://sarahmcelrath.com/brokenness-and-joy/) - I came across this awesome Brainpickings article talking about Anne Lamott's (one of my favorite writers!) thoughts on the relationship between brokenness and joy. Given that the world and all of us in it are broken, I think this article a super important read--because who doesn't want to be joyful? Against Self-Righteousness: Anne Lamott on
- [Day 40 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-40-poetry-for-lent/) - Imagine the days between crucifixion and resurrection. His friends, disciples, mother must have felt so hopeless. Then when they realized he'd risen, hope must have soared.
- [Day 39  - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-38-poetry-for-lent-2/) - Christ cares for his flock, calling each by name, knowing all their secrets, tending to their needs, and seeking the lost to bring them home.
- [Day 38 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-38-poetry-for-lent/) - I tried to write a poem but words couldn't capture a friendship that runs through my life, spills over the edges into the cracks
- [Day 37 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-36-poetry-for-lent/) - The silver night sky hints at a new day dawning what a miracle
- [Day 36 - Poems for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-36-poems-for-lent/) - Hope Ravels Unraveling Disintegrating slow but sure Coming apart at the seams We neglect leave it out in the rain and watch it dissolve a little more with every
- [Day 29 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-29-poetry-for-lent/) - Bird watching out my back window I get quite the morning show complete with pileated woodpeckers and strutting turkeys.
- [Day 35 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/poem-35-poetry-for-lent/) - One week to go from Palm Sunday to Easter. Humanity is a fickle lot.
- [Day 34 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-34-poetry-for-lent/) - Blazing orange-red petals tissue paper strong poppies proclaim life
- [Day 33 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-32-poetry-for-lent-2/) - Creating I Spy Poems for April is Poetry Month
- [Day 32 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-32-poetry-for-lent/) - People are so much more than a test score, and yet our society puts so much emphasis on the grade, and not nearly enough on the process or the person.
- [Day 31 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-31-poetry-for-lent/) - The fog came first long before the crows but history or, if this were one of those pretentious poems, the mists of time will remember the black birds as harbingers
- [Day 30 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-30-poetry-for-lent/) - There's too much North in the wind men turn up their collars women put their heads down rushing to their destinations without lingering to look around
- [Day 25 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-25-poetry-for-lent/) - The Great War marches in and battle fills the air with the cries of the wounded the pleas and prayers of the dying. Explosions jar bones loosen teeth
- [Day 28 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-28-poetry-for-lent/) - Muskrat floating dead reminds us life is fleeting
- [Day 27 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-27-poetry-for-lent/) - What seems like an end to a caterpillar is the butterfly's birth
- [Day 26 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-26-poetry-for-lent/) - We stitch this quilt together, panels of light and dark, bright patterns sewn next to those to those of somber hue. The design not always one of our choosing
- [Day 23 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-23-poetry-for-lent/) - The stars shine high above the clouds above the bombs which scatter us like dust every which way looking to settle but driven by winds of war and fear.
- [Day 24 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-24-poetry-for-lent/) - Doing it in the ditch on a fine spring afternoon muskrats find romance
- [Day 21 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-21-poetry-for-lent/) - I boxed up hope some time ago and can’t remember where I hid it. I searched and found despair and doubt, and came across indifference buried deep within
- [It's the end of the world as we know it](https://sarahmcelrath.com/its-the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it/) - And I feel fine. This morning, when I woke up at the awful hour of 7:00 am (only awful because I wrote until 2:50 am and then couldn't sleep until who knows when), the lake disappeared into mist halfway across. Sometimes this place really does feel apart from the real world. Quite often I suffer
- [Day 22 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-22-poetry-for-lent/) - Daffodils It would be easier to sleep blanket of snow tucked over your head dreaming of sunny spring days It is so difficult to bloom to turn your face up and
- [Day 20 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-19-poetry-for-lent/) - Teach me Your story so I might know mine so I can know others so I’ll worship You God of all Ruler, Creator beginning and end of all that is known
- [Day 19 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-19-poetry-for-lent-2/) - Sometimes there is so much noise in the news, on social media. I feel like everyone is yelling and no one is listening. And then something happens - someone dies
- [Day 18 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-18-poetry-for-lent/) - I would not leave though she told me, Go back, find rest a husband a home. I could not leave for she was a mother to me her people, my family her home, my home
- [Day 16 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-17-poetry-for-lent/) - Revolution brewing Hunger & rage breed Rebellion born
- [Day 17 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-17-poetry-for-lent-2/) - He shuffles along in his fuzzy brown coat little whiskery old man face peering nearsighted around in search of a mid-morning snack.
- [Day 15 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-15-poetry-for-lent/) - In Detroit today for a conference and when I was looking at the green water of the river, there was this weird whitish section floating down stream with birds
- [Day 14 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-14-poetry-for-lent-2/) - If you hear a distant boom, it's my head exploding. The crack like that of January ice on a mountain lake when the sun warms it, that was my heart.
- [Day 14 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-14-poetry-for-lent/) - Early morning air bites apple crisp in lungs still half-asleep. Night's purple musings linger in shadows at the edge of the woods and under my eyes.
- [Day 13 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-13-poetry-for-lent/) - Negative Space The idea of negative space has intrigued me ever since I had an instructor talk about it in an art class. So much of art can be applied to life
- [Day 12 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-12-poetry-for-lent/) - Somewhere Between Red sun on my left full moon on the right here i am again stuck ‘tween day and night Dare i move south or should i go north i tremble with
- [Day 11 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-11-poetry-for-lent/) - I am feeling my way blind in more than eyes longing to soar but afraid of falling or maybe not getting off the ground at all so I crawl, inching forward eyes
- [Day 10 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-10-poetry-for-lent/) - Harvest Did you feel powerful for those minutes, framed in that window far above the ground —far below heaven? Did the music sound distant the joy and
- [Day 9 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-9-poetry-for-lent/) - Poetry for Lent Seventeen years buried cicadas dream of flying what a splendid year
- [Day 8 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-8-poetry-for-lent-2/) - Do no harm First do no harm Stomp down those who disagree, who disbelieve. If they cannot see your right from their wrong, cast them out, like chaff from your
- [Day 7 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-7-poetry-for-lent/) - Those early signs of Spring are so welcomed and cherished despite the crazy business of this time of year. The owl out back is asking questions again, and I lie
- [Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/poetry-for-lent/) - With Fat Tuesday and the start of Lent on the horizon, I declare my intention to give up Facebook, and to take on writing a poem a day.
- [Day 2 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-2-poetry-for-lent/) - A Poem written while thinking about Daniel and the Lions Den and his friends facing the flaming furnace --and speculating what I'd do if faced with such trials.
- [Day 3 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-3-poems-for-lent/) - Poems for Lent. This poem celebrates those mornings sipping coffee and reflecting on life.
- [Day 4 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-4-poetry-for-lent/) - Poem for Lent. If Only I had known the weight of silence, the taste of regret, the smell of missed opportunity.
- [Day 5 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-8-poems-for-lent/) - Day 5 - Poems The night saturates the land Dark fat drops plink and plonk before settling into a steady drumming beating a rhythm the lyrics full of longing
- [Day 6 - Poetry for Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/day-6-poetry-for-lent/) - Day 6 - Poetry for Lent. Brother in armshe was two years younger but alike as two blonde-haired, blue-eyed peas in a pod.
- [Becoming A Story Genius](https://sarahmcelrath.com/becoming-a-story-genius/) - How I'm using Lisa Cron's book Story Genius to harness brain science when revising my novel to increase the tension.
- [Are your settings multi-tasking?](https://sarahmcelrath.com/making-your-setting-multitask/) - Utilizing setting to deepen your story Last night I met with my writing group, and it brought home yet again why writing groups are so important. As a writer, I don't always realize how much is in my head, but not on the page. My writing group is very good on pointing out what is missing--or what is leading them
- [What Does Your Bookshelf Say About You?](https://sarahmcelrath.com/what-does-your-bookshelf-say-about-you/) - Being a reader, a writer, and a librarian, I have a lot of bookshelves in my house. So many in fact, that you’d think I’d have plenty of room for the new book I’d recently purchased—it wasn’t even a thick book, only 249 pages. But no, when I attempted to squeeze it on the bookshelf in
- [Who's telling your story? Exploring Point of View](https://sarahmcelrath.com/whos-telling-your-story-exploring-point-of-view/) - Recently an editor contacted me about a query I had sent her quite some time before. She stated an interest in reading the entire manuscript, if I would rewrite it to address some of the limitations inherent in using first person point of view--namely the inability to know what other characters are thinking or feeling.
- [Where words and visuals meet](https://sarahmcelrath.com/where-words-and-visuals-meet/) - When you write, do you see pictures in your head? Video? I remember one of my co-workers and a writer friend of mine, Mary Zitta, talking about how when she wrote, it was like a video playing in her head. She'd have her eyes closed, fingers dancing on the keyboard just trying to keep up.
- [Writing Distractions](https://sarahmcelrath.com/writing-distractions/) - Distraction is common experience for me. Granted, more often than not, I am trying to write and real life distracts me. The opposite is more rare, but does happen upon occasion. For instance, this Saturday I had every intention of getting many things done, really, I did. I even started off good, getting up early
- [Plot Revisions](https://sarahmcelrath.com/plot-revisions/) - Wouldn’t it be nice if there were an app for revisioning plot? Like a map app or something. I could certainly use it right about now, when I’ve been away from my novel for too long (Oh how I’ve missed you, dear Work In Progress!) Plot Mapping App Sadly, as far as I know, there
- [The Purpose of Fairy Tales](https://sarahmcelrath.com/the-purpose-of-fairy-tales/) - I painted the card for my niece and then found the quote in the front of the book The Story of Owen, Dragon Slayer of Trondheim, by E.K. Johnston. I loved the book — the world building and characters are unique. You should definitely get it from your library or nearest bookstore and read it.
- [Hello world!](https://sarahmcelrath.com/hello-world/) - Or in this case, Hello World Walkers! As a writer, reader, and an artist, I find myself wandering in different worlds quite often. The more I do, the more I learn about myself, the real world, and other people. On some days the sideways jump between worlds doesn't seem so difficult, but on other days...
- [Re-visioning for PLOT](https://sarahmcelrath.com/re-visioning-for-plot/) - Right now I'm in the middle of trying to re-vision the plot of my 3rd novel, I Feel For You (IFFY). I'm using Scrivener - and really loving the corkboard part of it for visualizing. One thing I've been working on is adding information based on the book The Writer's Little Helper (by James V.
- [The Upside of Plan B](https://sarahmcelrath.com/the-upside-of-plan-b/) - In the last post I talked about the downside of Plan B--whether you ended up with Plan B because Plan A didn't work out, or whether (like me) you opted for the "safe" route in hopes of eating while working toward being a full-time author/artist. In this post I want to note The Upside Of
- [How to inspire a writer](https://sarahmcelrath.com/how-to-inspire-a-writer/) - I recently celebrated my birthday. Now, in general, I don't go much for big celebrations. This isn't because getting older bothers me -- I find the alternative is not so good. Really, it's because I'm lazy. With my daughter's birthday and Valentine's Day both happening shortly before my birthday, I'm partied out. Enough work. I
- [To Title Or Not To Title--That Is The Question.](https://sarahmcelrath.com/to-title-or-not-to-title-that-is-the-question/) - The Problem... I'm in the great mists of revision and I'm wondering about whether to title my chapters or not. I realize this is, to a large degree, a matter of choice. Still, there must be benefits and drawbacks. If I go to my middle school library shelves, I can find examples of both. The
- [The Downside of Plan B ](https://sarahmcelrath.com/the-downside-of-plan-b/) - The Plan B Detour Phrase of B 1. an alternative strategy. "it's time I put plan B into action" (Merriam-Webster) This Fall (now winter, I realize) has been busier than I expected, hoped, wanted. And consequently, I haven't been writing as much as I'd expected, hoped, wanted. I suppose I should have seen it coming
- [Un-Crashed -- Welcome Back](https://sarahmcelrath.com/un-crashed-welcome-back/) - Yay! It is wonderful to be back up and running. If you have visited this site at any point between July and now, I apologize for the inconvenience. When it comes to technology and WordPress, I am on a strict Need To Know basis--which means that when my website crashed in July, I didn't know
- [Never underestimate the power of the flock ](https://sarahmcelrath.com/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-flock/) - Even though I love to write, often I need motivation to weigh the scale in favor of writing--and less in favor of other things like sleeping, eating, and well, everything else. Having someone willing to read my manuscript helps, but with no exact deadline, I still find myself putting writing too far down on the
- [Onomatopoeia in conversation](https://sarahmcelrath.com/onomatopoeia-in-conversation/) - See on Scoop.it - Feed the Writer Examples of sound effects and imitative words for noises people make in conversation, as found in poems, literature, slang and the web. Grunts, sniffs, greetings, crying and moreSarah McElrath's insight:A lot of communication is in sounds as well as words. Great resource for writers.See on www.writtensound.com
- [Is it really necessary to go away to write?](https://sarahmcelrath.com/is-it-really-necessary-to-go-away-to-write-in-a-word-yes/) - Here I am again at writing camp heaven on big Glen Lake. I'm looking forward to a week of writing, sharing writing, and talking shop with other writers all hours of the day and night. What a fabulous way to get a good jump on a big re-write. And who wouldn't be inspired by this
- [Games for writers and word play](https://sarahmcelrath.com/games-for-writers-and-word-play/) - It's getting so close to the end of the school year I can taste summer (of course, it might be all the great fresh fruits and vegetables we have been eating). Strange as it may seem, finishing a school year means starting to plan for the next year. This is partly because if I don't
- [Writing outside the comfort zone -- literally](https://sarahmcelrath.com/writing-outside-the-comfort-zone-literally/) - Words of wisdom: Creating is not reliant on setting. One can still produce great works even when her desk is sandwiched between the cat litter pans and dirty laundry. (Even when her husband adds a box of indoor/outdoor pillows to the mess--right in the doorway at that.) If you've been putting off writing or painting because
- [Things I learned from my mother](https://sarahmcelrath.com/things-i-learned-from-my-mother/) - In honor of Mother's Day, I wanted to take time to appreciate some of the things my mother taught me--things that I, no doubt, failed to appreciate in the moment. Now, with kids of my own, I have a much different perspective, and a far greater appreciation of all those little things my mother demonstrated
- [» 15 Tips for Taming Distractions When Trying to Create - World of Psychology](https://sarahmcelrath.com/15-tips-for-taming-distractions-when-trying-to-create-world-of-psychology-2/) - See on Scoop.it - Feed the Writer When it comes to creativity, distractions “are a mixed blessing,” according to Christina Rosalie, a writer, mixed-media artist and author of A Field GuideSarah McElrath's insight:I really like the number 3 kitchen timer idea. When difficulties arise, it is so easy to walk away, but if I am
- [5 Insights into the Creative Process](https://sarahmcelrath.com/5-insights-int-the-creative-process/) - I finished an art project recently that made me realize that I have a rather messy creative process. Maybe everyone does, but I doubt everyone ends up with 6 finished pieces where they intended to make one. That would be what happened to me. A friend of mine was going to have open-heart surgery and
- [Are you cackling yet? Movies for writers.](https://sarahmcelrath.com/cacklingwriters/) - In Terry Pratchett's book, Wintersmith, it talks about how witches meet in order to keep an eye on each other--to make sure they aren't starting to cackle, as it were. That was the purpose of covens. "'Cackling' to a witch didn't just mean nasty laughter. It meant your mind drifting away from its anchor. It
- [What are you reading to reduce your stress?](https://sarahmcelrath.com/what-are-you-reading/) - Yeah! Finally about to log in to my wordpress site. It was down since last weekend--hence the no post for two weeks. I'd love to say I've been writing like crazy in the interim, but that wouldn't be quite true. (Too bad good intentions don't count.) I have written some--but then life imploded and yeah,
- [The Ten Benefits Of A Visual Journal](https://sarahmcelrath.com/the-ten-benefits-of-a-visual-journal/) - See on Scoop.it - Feed the Writer There are many benefits to keeping a personal or business journal. Pictures will add to, and amplify, those benefits dramatically. Here are ten reasons why keeping a visual journal works so well for me.Sarah McElrath's insight:Add another dimension - way of knowing and remembering - to your journaling.See
- [Can Fahrenheit 451 explain why The Hunger Games is popular?](https://sarahmcelrath.com/can-fahrenheit-451-explain-why-the-hunger-games-is-popular/) - Spring Break is almost done--and of course I had way more things I planned to do than could actually be done in the amount of time. Still, I slept, read a few good books, painted a little, visited relatives, and ate some good food. (Greg is barbecuing ribs ribs right now. What with his jalapeno
- [» 15 Tips for Taming Distractions When Trying to Create - World of Psychology](https://sarahmcelrath.com/15-tips-for-taming-distractions-when-trying-to-create-world-of-psychology/) - See on Scoop.it - Feed the Writer When it comes to creativity, distractions “are a mixed blessing,” according to Christina Rosalie, a writer, mixed-media artist and author of A Field GuideSarah McElrath's insight:Good concrete ideas for minimizing distractions. I use the kitchen timer one a lot.See on psychcentral.com
- [Endings That Promise New Beginnings](https://sarahmcelrath.com/endings-that-promise-new-beginnings/) - I've been thinking about endings lately, what with it being Easter and all. If all of life is a story, than maybe endings in life aren't so different than the ending of a good story. We all are facing our end--just some of us live with it closer before us than others. Often we choose
- [Revision - Ways To Hear Your Writing Differently](https://sarahmcelrath.com/revision-ways-to-hear-your-writing-differently/) - Where I'm at in the writing process determines if I love revision or hate it. When I'm in the midst of revision--like I am now--I often hate it. Still, I've found a couple of things that help me gain a new "ear" for my writing, and therefore make it easier for me to know what
- [The Lies We Tell Ourselves](https://sarahmcelrath.com/the-lies-we-tell-ourselves/) - One of the things that fascinates me the most about being hardwired for STORY, is the stories we tell ourselves. How much of those stories are true, and how much are lies? And are we even aware when we lie to ourselves? I know I am sometimes, but what about the rest of the time?
- [10 Ways to Overcome Creativity's No.1 Crusher - PsychCentral.com (blog)](https://sarahmcelrath.com/10-ways-to-overcome-creativitys-no-1-crusher-psychcentral-com-blog-2/) - See on Scoop.it - Feed the Writer 10 Ways to Overcome Creativity's No.1 Crusher PsychCentral.com (blog) 10 Ways to Overcome Creativity's No.1 Crusher “The worst enemy of creativity is self-doubt,” wrote Sylvia Plath in her journal. And she couldn't have been more accurate.Sarah McElrath's insight:Love #1. It is the power of the stories we tell
- [The Stories We Tell Others](https://sarahmcelrath.com/the-stories-we-tell-others/) - I've been exploring STORY a bit in the last few weeks, and here I'd like to focus on the stories we tell others. Dragging along from last week is the stories we tell ourselves--and those, to a certain degree, shape the stories we tell others. There's a whole lot of other things rattling in my
- [Made Of Story (& 5 Ways This Impacts Your Writing)](https://sarahmcelrath.com/made-of-story-and-what-that-means-for-your-writing/) - Back in the early days of February, I wrote about how I began thinking about The Importance of Story. Story kept cropping up in all sorts of places, and it eventually got to the point where I knew I'd have to write about it to connect all the dots. So today I want to look at
- [StayFocusd](https://sarahmcelrath.com/stayfocusd/) - See on Scoop.it - Feed the Writer StayFocusd increases your productivity by limiting the amount of time that you can spend on time-wasting websites.Sarah McElrath's insight:Need help avoiding the distraction of facebook when you want to get some writing done? Check it out.See on chrome.google.com
- [Ozge Karaoglu's Blog - Once Upon a Tool](https://sarahmcelrath.com/ozge-karaoglus-blog-once-upon-a-tool/) - See on Scoop.it - Feed the WriterBy Ozge Karaoglu "[The]Internet has been a great source for storytelling activities. Here are some of the web tools that you can use as story starters with your learners.Read more: http://ozgekaraoglu.edublogs.org/2013/02/09/once-upon-a-tool-2/#ixzz2KjVuLiHqSee on ozgekaraoglu.edublogs.org
- [10 Storytelling Elements](https://sarahmcelrath.com/209/) - Like this? Learn more about digital marketing at Doktor Spinn
- [5 Sneaky Tricks Your Left Brain is Playing on You - by Dumb Little Man](https://sarahmcelrath.com/5-sneaky-tricks-your-left-brain-is-playing-on-you-by-dumb-little-man/) - See on Scoop.it - Feed the Writer The truth is that your left brain is probably playing tricks on you and robbing you of creative ideas. ... If you're in this group, this mode of thinking has probably served you well in many areas except in terms of creativity.See on www.dumblittleman.com
- [The Importance of Story](https://sarahmcelrath.com/story/) - I started thinking about the importance of story in one of those perfect storm sort of ways where a bunch of things all seem to converge at once. It began with a good book--which, I personally believe is where most good things start. I had become rather bored with the current rash of dystopic fiction. Not
- [3 Free Storytelling Lectures](https://sarahmcelrath.com/3-free-storytelling-lectures/) - See on Scoop.it - Feed the Writer Lectures from Kurt Vonnegut, Neil Gaiman and Andrew Evans on how to tell better, truer stories, and how to recognize the ones that people love.Sarah McElrath's insight:Love these videos. Such powerful messages to be open, to risk, to play, to make good art--the kind that only you can make.
- [WRITING COMPETITIONS 2013 | writingclassesforkids.com](https://sarahmcelrath.com/writing-competitions-2013-writingclassesforkids-com/) - See on Scoop.it - Feed the WriterSee on writingclassesforkids.com
- [Be Inspired](https://sarahmcelrath.com/be_inspired/) - “I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately I am inspired at 9 o’clock every morning.” -William Faulkner There once was a time when I thought I could only write when I was depressed. This did not bode well for my writing career--or maybe for my future mental health. Thankfully, I have since found I can indeed write
- [Celebration of ART](https://sarahmcelrath.com/156/) - Today was the celebration of Peninsula Writers' Art-A-Day Challenge. The idea was to accept the challenge to be creative each day during the month. Through the use of Google Groups, participants posted their successes and challenges throughout the month. And today we all physically got together at Schuler Bookstore and presented our efforts. I almost didn't
- [7 Ways to Use Brain Science to Hook Readers](https://sarahmcelrath.com/7-ways-to-use-brain-science-to-hook-readers/) - See on Scoop.it - Feed the Writer If you want to hook readers and reel them in, use brain science. Successful writers know how to use stories to trigger an emotional response.See on writetodone.com
- [Better Plotting: 7 Ways Your Characters Can Screw up Their Decisions](https://sarahmcelrath.com/better-plotting-7-ways-your-characters-can-screw-up-their-decisions/) - See on Scoop.it - Feed the WriterAs people, we want to make the right choice, so it's only natural that those are the choices that first come to us as we write. But doing the right thing doesn't always cause wonderful conflict (though when it does it's writing gold). Characters shouldn't act like people who've had
- [Creativity](https://sarahmcelrath.com/creativity/) - Creativity. Taking something enormously strange and somehow making it strangely familiar. - from Jim Henson's Doodle Dreams: Inspiration for Living Life Outside the Lines. My daughter came to me today and announced that she had to write a historical fiction short story. "I hate writing historical fiction," she said. "It's all been done before."
- [Twelve Things You Were Not Taught in School About Creative Thinking](https://sarahmcelrath.com/twelve-things-you-were-not-taught-in-school-about-creative-thinking/) - See on Scoop.it - Feed the Writer Aspects of creative thinking that are not usually taught.See on www.creativitypost.com
- [Brain Pickings](https://sarahmcelrath.com/117/) - In a random, one-link-to-another kind of way, I came across a site called brain pickings. One of the posts was about how to break through a creative block--which seemed timely since I had just posted about that topic. How to Break Through Your Creative Block: Strategies from 90 of Today’s Most Exciting Creators by Maria Popova Refining
- [Cube Creator](https://sarahmcelrath.com/cube-creator/) - See on Scoop.it - Feed the WriterSarah McElrath's insight:Includes a graphic organizer (pdf) and lets you print and save your cube.See on www.readwritethink.org
- [Unblocking -- Lessons From One Medium to Another](https://sarahmcelrath.com/lessons-from-one-medium-to-another/) - Let the battle begin! So I'm suited up for fighting dragons, my foot is in the stirrup (or my butt is in the chair in this case) but to be honest, I'm a bit rusty. I'm blocked. Stuck. I opened up my latest novel-in-progress, I Feel For You (IFFY in short form), and I wasn't
- [Cynsations: Author Interview & Giveaway: Laini Taylor](https://sarahmcelrath.com/cynsations-author-interview-giveaway-laini-taylor/) - See on Scoop.it - Feed the WriterSarah McElrath's insight:Cynsations conducts awesome YA author interviews--plus she provides a lot of great publishing resources.See on cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com
- [Resolutions](https://sarahmcelrath.com/resolutions/) - It's that time of year again: end of the old, start of the new. Time to look back at what was and look forward to what you want see happen in the new year. Writing and writers are no different. What went well--or not so well. What resolutions do we have for our writing in
- [Greatest Villain Poll](https://sarahmcelrath.com/polldaddy-poll6797936/)
- [Painting](https://sarahmcelrath.com/59/)
- [Survival Brain](https://sarahmcelrath.com/survival-brain/) - I am reading Surviving Survival: The Art and Science of Resilienceby Laurence Gonzales. I had read his book Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why earlier when I was doing research for the fiction book I am writing, I Feel For You (IFFY for short), and was excited to hear that he had a new book out. What

## Pages

- [About World Walking](https://sarahmcelrath.com/) - A Website about writing and seeking to live a creative life.
- [Art](https://sarahmcelrath.com/art/) - S.M.art
- [Reading](https://sarahmcelrath.com/book-reviews/) - There are millions of great books to be read, and here are some places to find suggestions about what to read next. Goodreads -- This is a great site to keep track of what you are reading, read/write reviews, and get ideas for your next got-to-read book.
- [About Me](https://sarahmcelrath.com/sample-page/) - As a writer, reader, and a dabbler in various other forms of art such as poetry, painting, and drawing, I am constantly seeking to see the world--and myself--with new eyes. In the real world, I am a wife, mother of two, and a librarian--but not the kind who shushes.
- [Novels In Progress](https://sarahmcelrath.com/my-writing/novels-in-progress/) - I have three novels in various different states of completion. Black Dragon is off hopefully charming an editor. The Free Lunch Dating Program needs more revision. And the one I'm currently revising for plot, is I Feel For You, affectionately known as IFFY. Click on the pictures below to learn more about each book. Novels: Black
- [Black Dragon](https://sarahmcelrath.com/my-writing/novels-in-progress/black-dragon/) - Seventeen-year-old Sera Lancaster is stalked by a black dragon no one else can see. The beast isn't scale and bone, but he is deadly. Mixing truth with venomous lies, the mythical monster hisses his poisonous brew in Sera's ear, twisting even the most well-meant words of those around her. Worried she's going crazy, Sera keeps her desperation a secret. Reminding herself
- [Poetry](https://sarahmcelrath.com/poetry/) - Poetry for me is a way to unblock--both as a writer and as a person. I rarely bring my poetry to writing group because I want it to remain something that I don't take too seriously, something just for me. So, while I don't mind sharing some of it, please keep in mind that I
- [Slots Ordained](https://sarahmcelrath.com/my-writing/essays/slots-ordained/) - "Slots Ordained" is a convergence of a number of different forces in my life--work, kids, art, what I was reading, the holidays. I felt as if they were all pieces of a larger puzzle, but I couldn't figure out how they fit together until I started writing. Slots Ordained It occurred to me some time ago
- [Perspectives](https://sarahmcelrath.com/my-writing/essays/perspectives/) - Perspectives is a personal essay I wrote shortly after the death of a writer friend of mine. Perspectives Recently I started drawing in an attempt to see what is in my head. This sounds worse than it is. I really just wanted to get a visual picture of the characters I was writing about in
- [The Free Lunch Dating Program](https://sarahmcelrath.com/my-writing/novels-in-progress/the-free-lunch-dating-program/) - "I loved you, but it went away." Boyfriend Michael Dunning's words yanked Katie Lancaster's world out from under her feet--and she still feels like she is falling. After all, she never even saw it coming. They'd planned to get married, they'd been each other's first love--and then it had gone away? How was that even possible? Unable
- [Writing](https://sarahmcelrath.com/my-writing/) - Although the majority of my writing time is spent on YA novels, I also write essays, short stories, and poetry--as well as many, many to-do lists. I love writing, I hate writing--I never feel quite right when I haven't been writing for awhile. It is truly a grand madness. Novels / Essays / Poetry If you too have the
- [Essays](https://sarahmcelrath.com/my-writing/essays/) - Personal essays are my way of dealing with something that weighs on my mind. It is usually when I know things are connected--people, events, art, life/death--but I cannot see or understand the weave or pattern until I write about it. I've heard it said writing shouldn't be used as therapy, but over the years I've started
- [I Feel For You](https://sarahmcelrath.com/my-writing/novels-in-progress/i-feel-for-you/) - Jane Kenway is determined to be a survivor, not a victim. The weather in her house is unpredictable at best, downright dangerous at worst. But Jane follows the Safety Rules, listens to the Meteorologist, and heeds all the storm warnings. After all, luck favors the prepared, right? Unfortunately, there really is such thing as a
- [Refrigerator Poetry](https://sarahmcelrath.com/poetry/refrigerator-poetry/) - So every now and then I get a chance to play around with some magnetic poetry. I like it because it seems somehow less... threatening. I know, I know--writing should never be threatening. And yet, so often those perfectionist gremlins start talking and I-- well, I get scared that what I write won't be "good enough." Magnetic
- [Inspiration](https://sarahmcelrath.com/inspiration/) - Inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere--but here are a few places you might find it. Pixabay.com is one of the best sites for finding quality pictures that are free to use even commercially without giving attribution. Piclits.com is a fabulous image site to just browse or to try your hand at a caption or a

## Galleries

- [S.M.art - Dragonflies](https://sarahmcelrath.com/bwg_gallery/s-m-art-dragonflies/)
- [Artwork](https://sarahmcelrath.com/bwg_gallery/artwork/)
- [Black Dragon](https://sarahmcelrath.com/bwg_gallery/black-dragon/)
- [I Feel For You](https://sarahmcelrath.com/bwg_gallery/i-feel-for-you/)

## Gallery Share

- [Image](https://sarahmcelrath.com/bwg_share/image/)

## Categories

- [Writing](https://sarahmcelrath.com/category/uncategorized/)
- [Art](https://sarahmcelrath.com/category/art/)
- [Polls](https://sarahmcelrath.com/category/polls/)
- [Books](https://sarahmcelrath.com/category/books/)
- [Story](https://sarahmcelrath.com/category/story/)
- [Revision](https://sarahmcelrath.com/category/revision/)
- [Reading](https://sarahmcelrath.com/category/reading/)
- [Movies](https://sarahmcelrath.com/category/movies/)
- [Creative Process](https://sarahmcelrath.com/category/creative-process/)
- [Point of View](https://sarahmcelrath.com/category/point-of-view/)
- [Welcome](https://sarahmcelrath.com/category/welcome/)
- [Plot](https://sarahmcelrath.com/category/plot/)
- [Setting](https://sarahmcelrath.com/category/setting/)
- [Poetry](https://sarahmcelrath.com/category/poetry/)
- [#Coronavirus](https://sarahmcelrath.com/category/coronavirus/)

## Tags

- [Villains](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/villains/)
- [Lessons](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/lessons/)
- [Writer's Block](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/writers-block/)
- [Storm](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/storm/)
- [writing](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/writing/)
- [Brain Research](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/brain-research/)
- [Survival](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/survival/)
- [Lies](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/lies/)
- [Columbine](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/columbine/)
- [Ted Bundy](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/ted-bundy/)
- [Truth](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/truth/)
- [Character](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/character/)
- [Perspective](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/perspective/)
- [Recording](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/recording/)
- [Audacity](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/audacity/)
- [revision](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/revision-2/)
- [Writing Groups](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/writing-groups/)
- [Hope](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/hope/)
- [endings](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/endings/)
- [Fahrenheit 451](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/fahrenheit-451/)
- [Hunger Games](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/hunger-games/)
- [Dystopian Fiction](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/dystopian-fiction/)
- [YA fiction](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/ya-fiction/)
- [Stress](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/stress/)
- [movies](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/movies-2/)
- [writers](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/writers/)
- [inspiration](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/inspiration/)
- [Persistence](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/persistence/)
- [Mother's Day](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/mothers-day/)
- [creativity](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/creativity/)
- [mother](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/mother/)
- [desk](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/desk/)
- [Stephen King](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/stephen-king/)
- [writing spaces](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/writing-spaces/)
- [Games](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/games/)
- [word play](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/word-play/)
- [POV](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/pov/)
- [Writing Retreats](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/writing-retreats/)
- [Camp NaNoWriMo](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/camp-nanowrimo/)
- [Plan B](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/plan-b/)
- [Dead-End](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/dead-end/)
- [visualization](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/visualization/)
- [Scrivener](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/scrivener/)
- [Art](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/art/)
- [Books](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/books/)
- [Story](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/story/)
- [Reading](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/reading/)
- [Creative Process](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/creative-process/)
- [Point of View](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/point-of-view/)
- [bookshelves](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/bookshelves/)
- [bookshelf](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/bookshelf/)
- [readers](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/readers/)
- [Setting](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/setting/)
- [Prose poem](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/prose-poem/)
- [Poetry](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/poetry/)
- [Lent](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/lent/)
- [Angels](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/angels/)
- [Poems](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/poems/)
- [Faith](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/faith/)
- [poem](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/poem/)
- [Rain](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/rain/)
- [Brother](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/brother/)
- [Siblings](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/siblings/)
- [Seasons](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/seasons/)
- [Spring](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/spring/)
- [Winter](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/winter/)
- [Exorcism](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/exorcism/)
- [Irony](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/irony/)
- [Cicada](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/cicada/)
- [Haiku](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/haiku/)
- [Terrorist](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/terrorist/)
- [Depression](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/depression/)
- [Negative Space](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/negative-space/)
- [Morning](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/morning/)
- [Grace](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/grace/)
- [nature](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/nature/)
- [Ruth](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/ruth/)
- [Creation](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/creation/)
- [Daffodils](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/daffodils/)
- [Fantasy](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/fantasy/)
- [Quilt](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/quilt/)
- [Birds](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/birds/)
- [Crows](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/crows/)
- [Easter](https://sarahmcelrath.com/tag/easter/)