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Quarancon 2022

Usually, at this site, I keep to my professional tutoring and teaching news and tips. Today, I would like to share Quarancon with you. Quarancon 2022Quarancon started in 2020 as a free online fantasy and SF convention because we were not allowed to go out and have fun at in-person events. Now, two years on,Continue reading “Quarancon 2022”

The Poems I Have Not Written

Sometimes, the work published at The Drabble is so good I have to share it. That happened again today.

beatitude

I didn’t write this, but it is so beautiful I wanted to reshare it. #recommendedreading

Back to School Tips, Part 2: Use a Timer for Homework Blocks

As a writer, a teacher, and a student, I have found that using a timer can help me break up my work into manageable chunks. Do I have a chapter to write? It’s best if I use a timer for 45 minutes, take a break, then go again. I can usually finish a chapter inContinue reading “Back to School Tips, Part 2: Use a Timer for Homework Blocks”

Back to School Tips Part 1: Attitude and A New Schedule!

It’s time to go back to school! Whether teachers and students are homeschooling, going to public or private school, or heading to college classes for the first, second, or fourth time, it’s time for us to gear up our study habits. What kind of “gear” do we need to study? First, we need a “studyContinue reading “Back to School Tips Part 1: Attitude and A New Schedule!”

IWSG and Me

Normally, I write all of my IWSG posts at my writing blog: Tyrean’s Writing Spot. I love the longevity I’ve had with my blog. However, I have this (and another) Word Press site, so often my IWSG comments get attached to this site. Here’s my momentary solution. I’m giving you my address to Tyrean’s WritingContinue reading “IWSG and Me”

Understanding and Creating Similes

Similes are a type of figurative language. Figurative language works to convey complicated meaning, clarity, vivid writing, and evocative comparisons. There are many types of figurative language including: onomatopoeia, synecdoche, personification, hyperbole, metaphor, and simile. Similes are comparisons using the words like or as to create an interesting connective spark in the reader’s or listener’sContinue reading “Understanding and Creating Similes”

English Grammar and Style Tip: Until/Till/’Til

As a student, I had teachers ingrain certain maxims in me, such as: “Never use ’til for until.” If that wasn’t enough, I also had “Don’t use till for until because till is a verb for farming the land, not a preposition.” I believed these teachers. I taught like these teachers. I corrected my studentsContinue reading “English Grammar and Style Tip: Until/Till/’Til”

11 Ways to Do Online Education and Stay Healthy

Please note: this is written for students as readers. (Parents and educators are welcome, too.) 11 WAYS TO DO HOME, ONLINE EDUCATION AND STAY HEALTHY Take breaks every 20-45 minutes. Do not try to do it all in one sitting. You need to stretch, move, breathe fresh air, and give your brain (and eyes) aContinue reading “11 Ways to Do Online Education and Stay Healthy”

Overcome the Blank Page

Every writer has a moment when the blank page mocks their creativity with blank emptiness. This is normal. Even if we have been writing at full power for years, we can still have a day when the blank page causes us to stumble. Take a moment. Breathe. Pray, if you pray. Set a timer. WhenContinue reading “Overcome the Blank Page”