TAKE A LOOK AROUND

Poems and stories are everywhere, just waiting to be written. Today, pick up a newspaper or magazine and write about something you see there -- an article, a photograph, a caption.... You will find the heart of your poem or story when you stop to consider why that particular news-bit or photo jumped out at you. How does it speak to you? What does it remind you of? Why? The key is to make a connection between yourself and the material. That's what makes good writing good.