Story is an essential part of being human. We are shaped by fairy tales, narrative songs, and cultural histories. Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary animated filmmaker, said, “I believe that stories have an important role to play in the formation of human beings, that they can stimulate, amaze, and inspire their listeners.” Memory is a form of story that lives in our minds until we shape it and share it with others.
Laura's Blog
Friday, 20 January 2023
Thursday, 25 February 2021
Hello, Poetry Friday friends. It’s the last week of the February Poetry Project. I always have a mix of feelings as we head into the final days of this writing practice. If I’ve managed to draft a poem every day, there’s a sense of accomplishment. There’s the exhiliration of seeing the finish line ahead! But […]
Thursday, 18 February 2021
This past week, we have been working through the saggy middle of my annual February Daily Poem Project. You may have heard novelists complain that their energy wanes midway through writing a book. That can happen with this project too. I coach participants to focus on getting a poem written without judging it. To embrace […]
Thursday, 11 February 2021
We are nearly halfway through the 9th Annual February Daily Poem Project. For several years — in order to practice writing in community — my blog hosted a poetry project. We moved to Facebook in 2017 to accommodate the number of poets and writers who wanted to participate. 2021 Theme: Bodies Read more about this […]
Monday, 1 February 2021
Welcome to my 9th Annual February Daily Poem Project. For several years — in order to practice writing in community — my blog hosted a poetry project. We moved to Facebook in 2017 to accommodate the number of poets and writers who wanted to participate. 2021 Theme: Bodies In this time of a global pandemic, […]
Thursday, 4 January 2018
Happy 2018, poets and poetry lovers. Before you know it, February will be here. That’s right. It’s almost time for our annual daily writing workout. A little history: For four years, my blog hosted a community poetry project. In 2013, I celebrated my birthday month by writing every day in response to vintage postcards. I mailed the […]
Wednesday, 25 January 2017
We’re coming up on the last Poetry Friday in January. You know what that means. It’s almost time for our annual daily writing workout! For the past four years, my blog has hosted a community poetry project. This started as a birthday project. In 2013, I wrote every day in response to vintage postcards. I mailed […]
Friday, 26 February 2016
Hello, Found Object Poets and Poetry Friday people. We have family visiting today, so my friend, the poet Michael Ratcliffe, is guest hosting. While you’re visiting Mike’s new blog, be sure to check out his just-published book of poems, SHARDS OF BLUE. FOUND: Sun Sign You will find the Day 26 Found Object Poem Project post […]
Thursday, 18 February 2016
It’s Day 18 of our month-long daily writing project. This year’s theme is FOUND OBJECTS. For those of you who are new to the project, please read my introductory post. You’ll find more information and all of the Week 3 FOUND OBJECTS at this post. We’re also celebrating Poetry Friday. This week’s host is Donna Smith at Mainely Write, who hosted […]
Thursday, 11 February 2016
It’s Day 11 of our month-long daily writing project. This year’s theme is FOUND OBJECTS. For those of you who are new to the project, please read my introductory post. You’ll find more information and all of the Week 2 FOUND OBJECTS at this post. We’re also celebrating Poetry Friday. This week’s host is Kimberly Moran at Written Reflections. […]
Laura Shovan is the author of the award-winning middle grade novel, The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary. Her second book, Takedown, is a Junior Library Guild and PJ Our Way selection. Look for A Place at the Table, co-written with Saadia Faruqi, in 2020. Laura is a poet-in-the-schools Maryland.
