Category Archives: Create

Arts & Entertainment, Create

5 lessons I’ve learned about writing flash fiction — Author Toolbox

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Immortal Words of a Mortal Writer

When you try something new, your expectations are set quite high. Some people give up on the new thing when it becomes too difficult or when the high expectations they set for themselves aren’t showing.

Last year I decided to join in on the first #FlashFicHive challenge (hosted by Anjela Curtis). This month-long event challenged writers to create flash fiction stories based on all sorts of topics and prompts.

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I’ll admit, I didn’t do so well at keeping up that month or in the following challenges (every other month, which is set to change to a weekly hashtag event starting February 1, 2018).

However, I did learn a lot about writing flash fiction (other than the 1,000-word limit). These skills, which I’m going to share with you, are continuing to help me as I attempt to hone flash fiction in a new goal this year — #52weeks52stories challenge (hosted…

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Create, Inspiration, The Pantry

Best Way to Learn Technique

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One of my favorite things to do is to go to a restaurant, eat a great meal or dish, and then recreate the dish or meal at home. When I’m served a great dish, I eat it more slowly and try to distinguish each individual flavor comprising the completed dish. Once I figure out what is in the dish, I can go home and experiment with different techniques and recipes.

via Imitation Isn’t the Sincerest Form of Flattery–It’s the Best Way to Learn Technique — The Gourmandista

Business & Education, Create

Shared Post: How technology can make our kids better learners…

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“Instead of making kindergarten like the rest of school, we need to make the rest of school (indeed, the rest of life) more like kindergarten.” — Mitch Resnick I have Mitch Resnick (or, more specifically, his published work) to thank for sending me down the rabbit hole of innovation in education a few years ago. Mitch Resnick (aka […]

via How technology can make our kids better learners: MIT Media Lab’s Mitch Resnick on raising digital creators vs. consumers — The Innovative Parent

Arts & Entertainment, Create

Let Pixar teach you how to tell stories! It’s Free!!

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Pixar Animation Studios has launched the first of six free online lessons covering the art of storytelling, led by Pete Docter, Mark Andrews, and other filmmakers from the renowned Disney-owned studio.

The new series is available for free through online-education platform… Continue reading Let Pixar teach you how to tell stories! It’s Free!! →

Arts & Entertainment, Create

7 Super Effective Ways To Ramp Up The Tension In Your Screenplay

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Gideon's Screenwriting Tips: Now You're a Screenwriter

Dramatic conflict is the backbone of quality screenplays. What better ways to raise the conflict in your screenwriting than modulating the tension in your story?

Tension in your writing can be defined as a period of elevated emotional intensity.

Here are some ways to effectively utilize tension in your story:

1) BURSTS OF TENSION

Tension can be either short lived or sustained. In order for tension to be effective in your script, it must be ACTIVATED, SUSTAINED and RELEASED. Prolonged tension will only tire and disengage your audience.

2)  MACRO INTENSITY

The levels of tension must be manipulated to hook your audience. Firstly consider the overall level of danger in the story arc.

In the macro story, the tension needs to be escalated in a “SAW TOOTH” format. This is basically the attack-sustain-release model. Think about the set pieces in your story and how they correlate with periods of  tension. My preference is for…

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Create, gift ideas, Home Decor, The Pantry

From Huff Post: 13 Creative Ways You Could Be Using Mason Jars | Rachel Hollis

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Mason jars are absolutely adorable and totally useful! Since I’m quite obsessed, I find ways to incorporate them on The Chic Site and in my home as much as possible. I’m sure, like me, you end up accumulating a variety of jars in your house throughout the week. Instead of recycling them, or worse tossing them out, try one of these creative ways to put them to good use. Continue reading From Huff Post: 13 Creative Ways You Could Be Using Mason Jars | Rachel Hollis →

Arts & Entertainment, Create, Inspiration, People

Writer Director Tina Gordon Chism on the Creative Process

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At a time when it’s so easy and convenient to whip out a smart device to jot down an idea or take notes, it’s refreshing to see that the good ol’ notebook hasn’t gone completely out of style.  In this Creative Spark segment, writer and director Tina Gordon Chism (Drumline, ATL, Peeples) talks about her passion for the “slow burn” of Continue reading Writer Director Tina Gordon Chism on the Creative Process →