Here is a collated gallery of poems I’ve written using Storybird. I’ve blogged previous examples in Part 1 and Part 2. It’s magnetic poetry on the web.
I like the simplicity of the interface and the limitations of words you can use although sometimes I will refresh the words if there is nothing there but dross.
When I feel the need to be creative and only have limited time, it’s fun to pop in and play with words for a few minutes.
Enjoy wandering through the gallery.
Posted in Ars Poetica, Creativity
Tagged creativity, experimental, magnetic poetry, microfiction, micropoetry, poetry, slice of life, storybird, writers, writing
Late last year I came across Storybird. I posted about it here and here.
Normally during the month of February I engage and indulge in Post It Note Poetry (follow the hashtag #pinp16 on Twitter). This year I am not doing it. Things are chaotic with work right now so the opportunity to use someone else’s tools to create is a shortcut to keeping my creativity on the boil.
Simply select an image, you are given some random words and go forth and create. This is the genius of it. It’s someone else’s tools to use and make them work for you.
Here are some recent additions.
A different take on Post It Note Poetry this year.
Posted in Creativity
Tagged being creative, creativity, poetry, post it note poetry, reflection, storybird, writers, writing, writing tips
One of the joys of being on holidays, apart from wearing tracky dacks all day every day and eating any bag of chips left lying around, is playing with new avenues for writing. I mentioned Storybird last week and presented a few poems.
I have been playing with a few more and present them here for fun.
Posted in Ars Poetica, Creativity, The Writer's Life
Tagged creativity, experimental, poetry, storybird, writers, writing, writing tips
I came across the Storybird www.storybird.com website during the week and was initially reluctant to sign up for the free account (yet another log in to remember) but I gave it a crack.
You can do three things with it
You use the images as a stimulus to create a piece of work.
You can write for the following age groups.
I began experimenting with poetry. You take a single image and are given a random selection of words. Think Magnetic Poetry for your fridge.
You are limited with the words you are given and this can sometimes be a frustration. However, the limited vocabulary makes you focus on what you can do with the words at hand. Sometimes the words are almost useless and you scrap it and start again.
These are some poems I have created.
I also have a picture book using a haibun(a mixture of prose and haiku) as an experiment. I was limited by the number of images provided to create a strong narrative.
Before a picture book is ‘published’ it is vetted by the site. I found my story had been approved within less than 24 hours. I suspect this is due to the broad audience range available.
I can see this being a good tool from an educator’s point of view as a way of helping students experiment with language, create their own stories with visuals already created (artists can also submit their work for use but I do not know how they are supported and/or paid).
It is useful for a 10 minute creative break, or something to spark your imagination if you’re feeling stifled.
I am not sure how far to go with it but for the moment it is a fun, creative way to pass the time and get you thinking and creating. It may lead to other works or ideas. Ultimately it’s another tool you can use to be creative.
Posted in Creativity, The Writer's Life
Tagged creativity, experimental, fiction, flash fiction, poetry, storybird, writers, writing, writing tips
I am an English teacher and drummer/percussionist with an interest in literary pursuits, creative endeavours, rhythmic permutations, theological amplifications and comedic outbursts.
Here you will find my creative detritus: articles on living a creative life and writing explorations.
And other ideas I have snaffled from the papers stuck on the fridge door.
Twitter: @RevHappiness
Instagram: @handwrittenpages
My collaborative epistolary novel, "Post Marked: Piper's Reach," written with Jodi Cleghorn (@JodiCleghorn) out now via Vine Leaves Press.
Come and browse through the library; there is no need to be silent.
A Fullness in Brevity - Adam Byatt 