writing exercises

Shape-shifting poems, reimagining fairy tales, and envisioning an exhibition—three prompts to get you writing, plus our suggested reading: A Primer for Poets & Readers of Poetry by Gregory Orr.

Compose a trio of sensory poems, channel your inner Dickens, or reflect on the relationship between courage and generosity—three prompts to kindle your creativity during the holiday season.

Compose a series of tree poems, explore the supernatural with a ghost story, or examine your personal history with politics through an essay—three prompts to stretch your literary perspective.

Create a found poem, break your habits, or be an ambassador to your own country—three prompts to ignite the creative process.

Explore the emotions of color, shout your strongest feelings, and write for a vending machine—three prompts to ignite the creative process.

Experiment with myth, reinvent your relationships, and give love a bad name—three prompts to ignite the creative process.

Though helpful to many writers, the MFA degree is not a requirement to become a working writer, particularly if teaching is not one’s career goal. Novelist Marie Myung-Ok Lee talks about her decision to forgo the MFA, and forge her own path to publication. 

The process of writing is one of discovery. A creative nonfiction writer describes how an essay in her new collection came to life, with a little unexpected help from Led Zeppelin.