“I come from a place where breath, eyes, and memory are one, a place from which you carry your past like the hair on your head. Where women return to their children as butterflies or as tears in the eyes of the statues that their daughters pray to. My mother was as brave as stars at dawn. She too was from this place. My mother was like that woman who could never bleed and then could never stop bleeding, the one who gave in to her pain, to live as a butterfly. Yes, my mother was like me.“ ...

Continue reading ...

A few updates:

• I've been semi-published! Check out this link to see the essay.
  
• Heather Vogel Frederick has responded to my interview request, becoming the second author to be featured on our Author Interviews page! I encourage everyone to check it out.
• I just finished the [very] rough draft of my first novel; it is about the length of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, just as a reference. I'm so proud, and I hope that it is only the beginning of a long and prosperous writing career.
• The Google+ page...

Continue reading ...

The idea of looking at an object as if it held opposite qualities has always fascinated me. Take, for example, a poem I recently wrote. I took a delicate object, a flower, and compared it to a dragon, a flame. This might seem strange to some at first, but it makes for an eye-opening piece of writing.

Changing the way we look at things - writers do it all the time. And although I am just an aspiring writer, I figure I can try it as well. So take a look at the poem below!

Dragons

Ignited by the en...

Continue reading ...

I like to have an image that I can associate with the site. So I created the photo collage below, compiled of two pictures that I took (the bottom two) and two that I did not, as well as a Wordle* about the reasons that I created The Writer's Journal.

You'll see this picture throughout the website as well as on my Google+ page.



*If you don't know what Wordle is, I completely recommend checking it out. Go to www.Wordle.net and try one out for yourself! It's very simple and you'll find all of the...
Continue reading ...

Do you love reading? I'd certainly hope so, since you seem to like writing enough to be here right now, and reading and writing go hand in hand. If you don't that's okay. Keep reading anyway - it's worth it.

But if you are like me and happen to love both reading and writing, I've got some recommendations for you!

This past summer, I was lucky enough to be given two spectacular books by my wonderful language arts teacher. These books, The Pocket Muse by Monica Wood and Writing Down the Bones by ...
Continue reading ...

Hey, all! 

By now I'm assuming that, for most of you, school is back in session. And despite the stress that you may be feeling, there's no better time to write. You'll be in new surroundings, you'll meet new people, you'll learn something new, and this can net you with more writing material than you've had in months.

And what better time to get feedback on your work? Now you have teachers and peers to give you constructive criticism and help you improve your writing.

So stop stressing and start...
Continue reading ...

Hey, writers!

The approaching school year (yes, it's coming!) is not the only news right now! I have been working very hard on TWJ, and I think it's beginning to pay off...

Check out the new Author Interviews page to see an interview with award-winning author Tony Abbott! And he's not the only one - Heather Vogel Frederick has also agreed to do an interview, and you should see it up there any day now! Have a favorite author that you'd like to see an interview with? Send me a link to their site ...
Continue reading ...

Hey, All!

I have something pretty exciting for this post. I'm trying something new with my blog and posting other people's ideas! So here it is, my very first suggested post...

Cate L, of Colorado, suggested a collection of wonderful quotes that she would like to share and be able to inspire others with. Some are funny, some are beautiful, some are empowering, but they all have one thing in common - they are encouraging and inspirational. I hope that they are able to inspire you in your writing...
Continue reading ...

Hi, and happy summer!

Well, it's finally here - time for rest and relaxation. And with all this free time, writing is probably the last thing on your mind. Why spend your time writing when you could be swimming? Or hanging out with friends? But it is incredibly important to continue writing over the summer months, just like it's important to practice math or a foreign language. So if you can't write, read.

During the summer, I usually choose light, short books such as YA Realistic Fiction or ev...
Continue reading ...

Well, it's that stressful time of the year again. The school year is winding down, and all of those big projects and assignments are due. I don't know about you, but I feel like this windup toy, unable to stop and unable to go anywhere worthwhile. We've just got to hang in there and know that we'll get there eventually.

So, try something relaxing. Everyone has different coping strategies, but mine.... you guessed it... usually involve writing. For times like these, it's usually poetry. When y...

Continue reading ...

Happy Spring Break, everybody! I know Spring Break is the perfect time to relax, but it's also the perfect time for two more things...reading and writing!

Whether it's still snowing where you are or the flowers are blooming, nature is beautiful this time of year! So get outside and try writing a haiku, poem, story, or even a list inspired by the nature you see! And in spring, love is in the air, so why not attempt a love story? I guarantee that writing a love story with genuine feelings is one...

Continue reading ...

Hi, writers!

Okay, I know that I say this a lot, but I must start by seriously apologizing for not writing in over two months. It's amazing how busy one can be with just basketball, violin, and schoolwork to take up time! I am so sorry. I hereby vow to work on my webiste more. Well, we'll see how long that lasts!

On to more important matters: I have a wonderful book recommendation. It's actually a series, the Thursday Next Series. It is excellent science fiction, as well as being tremendously f...
Continue reading ...

Happy Holidays!

 Sorry for missing Hanukkah, but Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Years are still on their way. May I point out that the world did not end, and the Maya never said it would. It's always fun to think something exciting might have happened, though!

The holiday season is the perfect time to share your writing as gifts and inspiration. Handmade gifts are almost always appreciated as more special than store-bought gifts, and writing and artwork are amazing forms that can inspire people.

A ...
Continue reading ...

Here's a fun excercise to try! Write a spontaneous poem! Choose a line out of a book, newspaper, or even a traffic sign, and write it at the top of a page. Then, let the magic begin. Just write whatever thoughts the words give to you. Make it mean something to you, and you will discover that it will have a different connection with someone else!

These poems are beautiful, unique, and wonderful because they can mean something different to everyone who reads them. Try one, and I promise you'll f...
Continue reading ...

For most of you, school is back in full swing, and I'm sure that at least a few of you aren't that excited; and thats okay. However, think of it as an amazing opportunity to get feedback on your writing. If you hand a piece of writing in to your teacher asking for constructive criticism, even if it isn't an assignment, I promise that you will learn a lot from their feedback. And try writing at least two pages of creative writing a week, and handing them in to your teacher; you will learn a lo...

Continue reading ...

Ok. I am so amazied with all of your work. I just got the site back up and working again, and I got two amazing submissions from Mitchell. I have also gotten some new viewers (Welcome, Shayna!) and am working on some changes (see last entry).

We need creative entries. No, not want. NEED. Movies, vidoes, illustrations, diaramas: you name it, I'll post it.

Also, someone try writing a Sci-Fi piece! I guarantee you, it is a thrill.

Thank you, and sorry to keep it so short!
Continue reading ...

Exciting news! I am working on getting a "custom domain," meaning that I will no longer be ".yolasite." How does thewritersjournal.org sound? Email me and let me know! Also, as you may have noticed, I have done away with Place of the Month. I went on to the site the other day and realized that I was still on the month of May! Sorry to those of you who submitted some; I promise that I realize your effort and appreciate that you shared your knowledge with a community of writers.

I am open to all...
Continue reading ...

Writers--this is important! I am now giving you the chance to tell us what you would like to see here! You name it, we'll post it--with a few exeptions, but we're flexible and open to new ideas!

Is there a video that you made (having to do with writing, art, math, science, sporting events, current events [this one is a great one] or history please--let's keep it educational and/or at least informative) that you would love to share with the world? Send us the linkor the video along with the tit...

Continue reading ...

Wow! This month has been a biggie for The Writers Journal! On top of gaining many new submitters and viewers to our site, we have also gained the very first photo submitted by a site's visitor--except for myself, of course! Thanks, Ben M!

This one is short--sorry! I just wanted to thank Ben again for his amazing submission.

Keep on living, dreaming, and of course, writing!

Continue reading ...

Here is yet another writing excercise that I find fun, interesting, and exciting to do. Do you ever wake up and suddenly remember a strange, scary, exciting, or happy dream that you had, and wished that you had a way to remember it forever? Well, maybe it's just me, but I sure have. So here are a few ways to remember it:

• Write it down, with full details--truthfully, without adding extra things. Try to make it descriptive enough so that your reader can imagine what the dream looked like w...

Continue reading ...

Hi to all of you writers out there! Sorry I haven't blogged in a while! Anyway, here is yet another idea of something to write about, that I have found quite helpful and worthy. Write about a cause--hunger, poverty, endangered animals, etc.; anthing you wish. The great thing about this kind of writing is that it can help make the world a better place.

I recently wrote an essay about my passion of fighting hunger through the WFP. I wrote to educate people about these causes and how they can hel...
Continue reading ...

Hi All! Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. Anyway, we need writing suggestions and tips to share with a growing communtiy of writers everywhere. As you can probably tell, I am no expert writer. I do not have close to an endless supply of writing tips and suggestions, as I am only in the fifth grade.

So, here's how you can help:

Emal submitwritersjournal@gmail.com with any writing tips and suggestions that you have for other writers. I will post them here, with credit to you, By doing this, you...
Continue reading ...

I have some very exciting news! Marika S. has been the first person other than my sister and I to submit writing and have it published on our website! She submitted a peom called "A Year". Thank you Marika, and welcome to our website! You have joined a growing community of writers and artists by submitting writing.

Marika was the first to submit writing! Who will be the second?

Continue reading ...

One really great way to practice writing good poetry is to write it a lot. Another way is to write about a lot of different things.

One thing that I write about that really helped me become a better poet is describing different kinds of music. Using musical terminoligy such as stacatto or vibrato can help excercise your vocabulary, while pulling in emotions helps to practice personification.

Also write about the weather and seasons. Describing each sense (taste, feel, smell, sight, sound) is a ...

Continue reading ...

If you want to learn about different voices and styles, I suggest that you read A LOT, and read A LOT of different genres. This will help you get used to writing in different ways.

Another great challenge is to take a story or poem that you have written and turn it into a play! Write a script and get costumes--and then get people to help you preform it!
Continue reading ...

I have one writing tip that I cannot stress to you enough:

WRITE A LOT! Write wherever you are--get used to how it feels to let your feelings pour out onto the page. After you truly understand this feeling, you are a true writer.

This may sound sappy, but it's true. I hated writing two years ago. Now it is my favorite thing in the world. Ever.

So, to all of you out there: WRITE AND WRITE AND WRITE. I promise you--you will see improvement. Just take it from me.

Another helpful thing is...write all...
Continue reading ...

I have just a few writing tips for you...

-write about something you enjoy
-write from inspiration
-write about things that you know
-be prepared to write everywhere you go: you never know where inspiration will strike next!

-and most of all...enjoy what you write!

I hope that these help you enjoy your writing more.
Continue reading ...

Hello! My name is Danielle, and I am the creator of this site. I made it especially for shy writers like me who wish to have their voice heard, but are to afraid to share it. I know that feeling, and I know how important it is that you say what you want to say, when you want to say it.

So please, submit writing, photographs, anything...just let your voice be heard! It's time that you showed the world how amazing you truly are!

Continue reading ...