The Broadway Musical Bright Star and Its Message of Hope for All Women

According to folklore, one dark night in 1902 Irondale, Missouri, a mysterious person got onto a train holding a suitcase.  Inside the suitcase was a baby.Learn more about Bright Star the musical here!As the train chugged along, the person was on a nefarious mission.  Out of sight of the other passengers, they hurled the suitcase out of t...
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The Perks Of Owning Succulents

You may have heard of the succulent, an indoor plant that is becoming increasingly popular.  These plants are native to desert regions but can also be found in forests and mountains.  Succulent means ‘full of juice,’ an apt name given a succulent’s ability to conserve water by storing it in its leaves.  After owning succulents for a ...
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bSmart Tips to Beat the Summer Writing Slump

It's not always easy to find the motivation to write during the summer, especially after two semesters of reading book after book and writing essay after essay.  During vacation, your work in progress might be at the bottom of your list, and that's okay because there's nothing wrong with taking a break.  But if you're itching to write aga...
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How A Harsh Review Changed My Perspective On Writing

Negative reviews.  They’re not always easy to deal with.  When I began writing novels in earnest at the age of 14, I was afraid of criticism.  I didn’t want to hear that my book was ‘bad’ or even that it needed a lot of work.  I shared my work on websites for young writers and loved reading positive comments that focused on my s...
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3 Ways I Found My Stride When Running

For the past three years, I have been running on a regular basis and working hard to improve my time and stamina on the trail.  Going out for a jog in the morning is one of my favorite ways to start the day.  Though I didn’t always enjoy running, I can now say it has helped me become a healthier and more motivated individual.  So, yo...
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Maggie Stiefvater: The Story of a Real-Life Heroine

A strong woman who continues to inspire me is young adult author Maggie Stiefvater.  She has written many popular books, including The Wolves of Mercy Falls, The Scorpio Races, The Raven Cycle, and, most recently, All The Crooked Saints.  Before becoming a novelist, she was a portrait artist and played the bagpipes competitively.  Al...
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