Some of the most successful authors in the world were friends in real life, like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, Charlotte Brontë and Elizabeth Gaskell, and Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton. Along with the joys of friendship, a writing buddy

Perched at 7,000 feet in Northern Arizona, the city of Flagstaff blends outdoor adventure with vibrant arts culture. Surrounded by the world's largest ponderosa pine forest, this mountain town draws hikers, book lovers, and a notable, always growing community of

Most writers are familiar with the stress of a looming deadline. Although some of us may always be better at meeting deadlines than others, deadlines can be a useful tool for holding yourself accountable and on track for your writing

The New Year is a great opportunity to review your writing progress from 2024 and set intentions for your writing practice moving forward. Remember, whether or not you achieved the goals you set for yourself last year, you always have

For many writers and poets, the first draft can be the most intimidating part of the process. First drafts are often messy and sometimes radically different from the poem you envisioned (and the poem you’ll eventually end up with). But

A commonplace journal is a notebook where you store and organize information and notes for later use. Once described as “a diary without the risk of annoying yourself,” commonplace journals do not include any of your own thoughts or introspection,

With the holidays coming up, you might be looking for the perfect gift for the writer in your life (or maybe just looking to treat yourself—who needs a reason?). Either way, you can’t go wrong with a book about the

Gratitude is more than a nice gesture. Practicing gratitude regularly can reap many benefits, from stronger relationships to better moods and even improved physical health. Plus, the spirit of gratitude can easily be imbued into your writing, both in content

Few things are as strikingly beautiful as the first snow of the season. Winter brings with it a quiet introspection, cozy nostalgia, and the spaciousness to slow down, recharge, and transform. It’s no wonder that poets have explored the stark

What makes a poem “good?” There are a lot of valid, subjective answers to this question, but in many literary circles, the quality of a poem is often judged by whether or not it’s accepted into traditional publishing channels like

As August comes to a close, everyone will have varying reactions to the end of summer and the start of fall. For some, this is a mournful transition, marking the end of beloved sunshine and summer adventures. Others will welcome

Jenny Han once said, “Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August.” In the northern hemisphere, August can be a time of extreme heat, flash thunderstorms, bountiful harvests, and clear evenings full of stars. It can