Reading & Writing Lounge

Another weekend sneaking up on us…a lovely, luxurious two-and-a-half days of fun and frolic. It’s that time of the week, when we can turn on the faucet called ‘creativity’ and revel in all things beautiful and interesting. How about dabbling in a spot of reading or writing? Or, how about making something for the home – a snazzy collage, a few decoupage photo frames, a set of vibrant cushion covers?  Creativity can be in any form – words, drawings, pictures, furniture. A hint of inspiration is all we need to jump into this whirlpool called creativity.  And believe me…we don’t need to search high and low for that spot of inspiration.

We can find bits of it in things around us – red-headed parrots on the mango tree; fluffy, white clouds in a satin blue sky; a cup of frothy coffee and a chocolate-chip cookie; an interesting blog….

Speaking about blogs, here are a few interesting blogs and websites to help you unleash your creativity.

Inspiration for flash fiction:

Six Sentences

Short Novels

Flash Fiction

Inspiration for creativity:

Inspiration Thursday

Inspiration for décor and design:

 Décor

Design

Inspiration for reading:

A literary resource for children

Have a happy weekend!

Related on this blog:

• Essential reading for writers

If you like writing short, snappy fiction, then here are a couple of links from Sucharita that you might want to check out.

The Green Tricycle specializes in “short bursts of fun to read pieces.” Visit Green Tricycle for guidelines.

A Journal for the New Literary Paradigm, posts flash fiction and runs contests. Find their guidelines and read the archives at Net Author.  They pay $25 per story.

Related on this blog:

• Fiction in a Flash
• Thursday Markets - Links for Travel Writing

The world of books is fascinating. There are witches and wizards who whiz about on their brooms; fairies and pixies who hop around the enchanted woods; talking animals and toys who can whisk away the boredom. Well, to visit this world of colorful characters, you don’t really need a ticket or a rail pass. All you need is an armload of interesting books and a dollop of imagination.

Here’s how you can introduce your children to the world of words, pictures and magic.

Start reading to your baby. Now, does that sound weird? Well, the truth is – it’s never too early to begin reading to your child.

Do a lot of reading together. Read to them while they are digging into their lunch; read when they are clustered around the work table; read while they prepare to sail off to the Land of Nods. Also, take turns in reading – children will enjoy reading out their favourite stories to you too.

Get a library card for the family and visit the place as often as you can. It’s a good idea to give the kids plenty of time to browse through books and pick out what they like. Help them to find some great books to take home.

Discuss children’s books with your kids. Tell them stories about authors, ask them what they enjoy reading at school, discuss about their favourite reads.

Take your children to story times, and author visits. There might be a story telling session or a puppet show or a book signing event at your local book store. Check to see if they have an event calendar and plan out trips to such events.

Buy books that will interest your children.

Well, you might also like to create a cozy reading corner with comfortable chairs, plump cushions and lamps – a perfect place to snuggle in and read with your children.