Just wanted to say...

Happy Easter everyone!

Have a giggle packed and jelly bean filled weekend!

Creativly yours,

Kat

Erin Gruwell Coming to ESU!

I just found out that a woman who I have looked up to for a very long time is coming to ESU! Her name is Erin Gruwell and she proved through her work as a teacher that writing CAN change lives! I have looked up to her for a very long time and when the video Freedom Writer's was released I practically wore out the DVD! Needless to say, when I got the memo on my desk stating that she would be visiting ESU (campus where I work) on April 28th I was very excited! This is also, coincidentally, my 21st birthday! Who could ask for anything better!

For those of you who don't know who Ms. Gruwell is, let me indulge you! Erin began her teaching career at Long Beach High School in California and entered a very tough and divided school. The kids who entered her classroom were claimed to be "unteachable," but this didn't stop her. Through a series of events and by sticking to her beliefs, hopes and stubborn personality... Erin helped all who entered her classroom and together they learned the power of words and their effect on all of our lives. Her students and she compiled stories that would later be published as Freedom Writer's Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them. These same 150 students (who were thought to be lost cases) went on to graduate not only high school but most pursued further education. All because one teacher chose to believe in them. This amazing story was eventually created into a movie, Freedom Writer's. A good movie to watch it you haven't already!

What I love about Erin is that she found hope in a place where there as little, and a story where there was thought to be none. She found a way to prove that each and every one of us is living out our own life stories and they are worth telling. Writing is a powerful thing, and words CAN effect other's lives. I know the student's of Ms. Gruwell's class had a powerful effect on my life. I am very excited to see her! Of course, I will take pictures and post them here! If you happen to be in Emporia and are interested, the event will be happening on campus in the Albert Taylor Hall at 7p.m.. Ms. Gruwell will be giving a speech and speaking about her experiences as well as her thoughts on becoming a catalyst for change, teaching tolerance, and nurturing the leader within.

New Book Idea!!!!

I don't have much time but I wanted to send out an update! I was hit by a wave of inspiration on Saturday and have been working away at a new book idea ever since! It involves.... are you ready for this... a PICKLE PIZZA! It is unique and been a lot of fun to work with! I don't want to share too much just yet but I will update you as I get a more solid layout of the story!

Until then my friends...

Creatively yours,

Kat

New Looks!

You may have noticed that my blog is taking on some new looks! Look for a few more throughout the next few days and enjoy!
Creatively yours,
Kat Callaway

Dr. Wicked's Writing Lab: Great Writing Tool!

I thought I would share a helpful link with my fellow writers! It's known as Write or Die: Dr. Wicked's Writing lab. It's helpful in the sense that it keeps you on track. It may not work for everyone, but it has been helpful for me. It's almost like a beat the clock game for writers.

You plug in the word-count you wish to achieve, the time that you wish to achieve it in, and the level you wish to work under (which includes gentle, normal, kamikaze, and electric shock). After selecting your settings, you click the "Write!" button and are taken to a page with a box to type in. Begin typing right away to begin your time but be careful! As soon as you begin typing the first word the count down begins! If you stop typing, consequences will occur (all depending on the level you chose). I usually use the normal mode and this entails first the box changing shades of red (the longer the deeper the color), and eventually it will start making awful noises.

The warning sound varies on different days but is usually equally annoying! On the kamikaze mode, the consequences are worse! If you sit too long without writing, it will begin to erase words (I am not a fan of this and rarely use this mode, but it depends on your style)!

Last but not least, when you have completed your goal, it helps transfer your words to a document and give you a cool image to post on your blog/facebook/website that showcases your success! It looks like this (image varies depending on the settings and goals you chose):

Overall, this lab is very creative and has been helpful to me on many occasions! Check it out and see if it work for you! It's worth a look into! If it doesn't work for you, then no worries, we all work in unique ways! ;0)

http://lab.drwicked.com/

Creatively yours,

Kat Callaway