Naomi Rose's Challenge to Write Long(er) Sentences
Submit Entries by March 25, 2011

Nearly five years ago I connected with Essential Writing's Naomi Rose — a book developer and writing coach from California whom I've since come to regard (and treasure) as a writing mentor. More »

Chris Dunmire Interviews Culinary Artist L.A. O'Neil
Freelance Writer, Music Teacher

If you read L.A.'s articles on Creativity Portal, you'll notice a few openly discuss her experiences with vulnerable topics that many would find difficult to write about in such a personal way:breast cancer, cutting, rape, and hunger. L.A. has a gift for shining light in dark places and a way of seeing the world that makes me curious and grateful. More »

Spreading the Word: Dr. Hope's 'Act of Kindness' Contest
@ laughingday.com

As a willing supporter of the Act of Kindness movement, I've been contacted by Marti Avila from Alpine Publishing Inc. about an inspiring and ongoing "Act of Kindness Contest" opportunity to elementary school aged classes, groups and organizations. I've asked for permission to post the following e-mail excerpt to help spread the word:

Dr. Hope and Alpine Publishing Inc., a small publishing company, is offering FREE award winning, bilingual (English and Spanish) full color, hard cover children's books by Tim "Dr. Hope" Anders, to ENTIRE elementary school aged classes, groups and organizations.

We are doing this through our "Act of Kindness" contest.

Children are encouraged to perform acts of kindness for their community, individuals and each other. This is a contest to inspire elementary school children and their parents to help those in need and at the same time teach compassion and love for others.

To view more info about the "Act of Kindness" contest and see the books, please go to: www.laughingday.com (then click on "Act of Kindness" at the top).

Marti Avila
Alpine Publishing Inc.

Call for Spring Child Art! Submit Pieces by April 15, 2011
Creativity Portal's Spring Fever Collection

To: Parents, Teachers, Children, and Child Workers

From: Chris Dunmire

Re: Call for Child Art for Creativity-Portal.com

Does your child love to create art? Would he or she like to create a piece of original artwork for display in Creativity Portal's 'Spring Fever' digital child art collection? If so, you're invited to participate!

Get the scoop: Spring Child Art Submission Guidelines »

Natalie Goldberg On Compassion, Landscapes
Interview Part 2

An intertwining of two Natalie Goldberg nuggets are inspiring me today as I contemplate the necessary self-care and nurturing facets of creative process and expression.

1. The essence of Goldberg's second Writing Down the Bones excerpt on Creativity Portal. In Engendering Compassion she writes, "To begin writing from our pain eventually engenders compassion for our small and groping lives."

2. Goldberg's candid response to Anderson-Childers question in part 2 of her interview:

Q: Your writing and art evoke the landscapes of your New Mexico home beautifully. Can you discuss the role of place in your work? How does the landscape where you create affect the work itself?

A: Wherever we are is the meat of writing. Landscape should never be an excuse not to write. For instance, one doesn’t get to say, “Natalie lives in the mountains. I don't live in the mountains so I can't write.” In response, I’d say, “Get to work. I want to hear about Cleveland or Ames, Iowa. If you hate where you live, you must know it well enough to hate it. I want to learn about it.

I'll add: Wherever we are in the moment is also who we are. There we stand in what is truthful now. Moody, calm, PMSy, angry, happy, depressed, lonely, anxious, joyful.

Looking to the future and to changing circumstances with "I'll do this when...," or "I'll be ready as soon as..." is denying the honest reflection of life right >here< as it really is. As I painfully learned when my big brother Tom was suddenly killed in an accident at age 29, there may not be a tomorrow or even a 'later today.' Cherish what you have in this moment and use it to the fullest in your creativity. It may be all you have. •

5 Reasons Why I Love Child Art
...and a scribbly call for child art submissions!

1. Child art fills me with joy
2. Child art is spontaneous and unpredictable
3. Child art is imperfectly perfect
4. Child art often pulls in adults to "help"
5. Child art is free to make, give, and share
   More »

© 2011 Chris Dunmire. All rights reserved.