Kari Lomanno's Blog

Posted by Kari Lomanno

The holidays can be the hardest time of year for a writer. There are so many distractions such as parties, food, decorations, and gifts, it's difficult to think about writing. What's more, now its the time of year instructors like to assign the BIG projects.

But just as you put holiday responsibilities on your priority list, be sure to put writing assignments up there as well. Now is not the time to say, "Oh well...it's the holidays. I'll worry about that 10-page research paper in January."

My best advice is to break writing assignments into small chunks. Make a schedule for completion, and do a little bit every day. Don't try to cram the whole assignment into the weekend before it's due. Not only will this stress you out, but the quality of your work will most certainly be under par. With a strict schedule and a little bit of work every day, you will be surprised how quickly you can get through a large writing assignment.

So enjoy this holiday season! Have your parties, share your gifts, and do some writing every day. With these tips, your New Year as a writer will certainly be off to a great start.

Posted by Kari Lomanno

Your instructor has assigned you to write a persuasive essay, but you are at a loss for a topic idea. Try picking up the newspaper. The daily paper is full of ideas for writers, particularly the editorial/op-ed section. The ideas found in the newspaper are especially useful because they are timely, and they represent what the general public is talking about.

I always make sure I have copies of the newspaper available for my students whenever I assign a writing project. That way, when they come to me complaining that they have nothing to write about, I can direct them to the newspaper for ideas.

I am always surprised at how many students have never opened a newspaper. If you are one of those students, give it a try. You will almost always find something interesting to talk about, to think about, and, of course, to write about.

If you read through the paper and still can't think of any ideas, try a quick brainstorming session based on some of the articles you read. Even if you don't want to write about a particular issue you found in the newspaper, the brainstorming might lead you in a direction that interests you.

Good luck!

Posted by Kari Lomanno

Many people think of writing a journal as a "sappy" activity best left to poets and artists. But if you are serious about becoming a better writer, journal writing can be an excellent tool.

What Journal Writing Is

Journal writing can be as simple as putting your thoughts on paper whenever you have ideas you don't want to forget. It can also be a structured activity you do at a specific time every day. Either way, writing in a journal can help you organize your thoughts and even discover thoughts you didn't know you had.

How Journal Writing Helps

The more you write, the better your writing will become. It's like exercising a muscle. By putting your thoughts on paper, you are slowing down your thought process and allowing your mind to explore ideas as you go along.

How to Start a Journal

Just start writing. Give yourself permission to write badly. Forget about grammar, punctuation and spelling. And just start writing. Get something on paper, and don't stop until you can't write anymore. Feel free to look back on your journal after some time has passed. The ideas you thought you'd never use may become fodder for a brilliant piece of writing later. Give it a try!