Who had the pleasure of drinking the very first cup of coffee? Who first delighted in the deep, rich aroma that fills the air while it is brewing? A legend from Ethiopia talks about the possible beginnings of coffee as a beverage. It says a goat herder noticed that his goats had trouble sleeping after…
When you look at a picture, do you only see what is right in front of your eyes? Or do you see more? Maybe you can see romance. Or maybe you are someone who reads mystery and intrigue into everything you see. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but it is up…
Have you thought of the perfect Valentine’s Day story? Have you named your characters? Maybe all you need is the name of the town it takes place in. Listed below are the names of towns that would be fitting for tales that take place on or around Valentine’s Day. Whether you write romance or historical fiction,…
Valentine’s Day is loved by everyone but especially by retailers. Vast amounts of money are spent on gifts such as roses, wine, chocolates, perfume, etc. by men and women looking for that special gift for their significant other. When you first hear Valentine’s Day mentioned, what is the first thing that pops into your head? Perhaps you…
The heart was once believed to be the seat of our emotions, and that is the basis for the idioms about the heart. When you say that someone has a heart of stone, it doesn’t mean that their heart is made out of stone even though that is what it sounds like. It means that…
On February 2, will Punxsutawney Phil predict that winter will continue for six more weeks? Will the marmot in Alaska predict an end to winter is near? Will the hedgehog see his shadow underneath a clear moon? Candlemas, the last holiday of the Christmas season, is the midpoint between winter and spring. It is also the festival…
How do you celebrate Lame Duck Day? Do you buy a duck a set of crutches? How would you like to fly your kite in the middle of the winter? Would you still fly it if a blizzard hit on this day? Are you going to try and catch a tooth fairy on National Tooth…
The ocean is home to many beautiful and amazing creatures. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to swim beneath its tranquil waters and gaze at them up close? But just as the ocean’s waters are not forever tranquil, neither are its inhabitants always the kind you want to be near. They may be spectacular to look at,…
Writers need to show instead of tell. What exactly does that mean? How does one show what is happening instead of just telling? What are the benefits of doing so? Telling is easy. The room was bare. You need to show the reader that the room is bare instead of just stating it. Showing takes…
The ocean is home to many beautiful and amazing creatures. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to swim beneath its tranquil waters and gaze at them up close? But just as the ocean’s waters are not forever tranquil, neither are its inhabitants always the kind you want to be near. They may be spectacular to look at,…
