Posts

Showing posts from February, 2021

20 Must-Read Books for Nerds

Image
Until recently, nerdiness was considered an undesirable trait by many. In popular culture, “nerds” often demonstrate a lack of social skills, obnoxious intelligence, obsessive behaviors, and overall ugliness. But the growing interest in all things considered nerdy (e.g. Star Wars , Lord of the Rings , superhero movies, etc.) has transformed the term into something lovable and positive. What were once niche interests have become mainstream entertainment. Nerdom is now king in many industries, including film, television, board games, and books. Books for Nerds It’s time to finally embrace your inner nerdiness—there’s a little bit in all of us! These 20 books will satisfy your nerdy interests and get you thinking about life, the universe, and more. 1. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov Asimov was considered one of the Big Three science fiction writers during his lifetime, alongside Arthur C. Clarke and Robert A. Heinlein. As a member of Mensa, a professor in biochemistry, and author of ...

How to Be Happy: A Happiness Checklist for Revamping Your Life

Image
True happiness does not lie on the other side of what you want; your happiness is never about that one thing, and it never will be, for happiness is never a one-time thing, but an all-time thing. Happiness takes practice. Happiness is a lifestyle. The happy life is not the easy life. Strangely enough, the pursuit of happiness will not always make you feel happy. How to Be Happy : The Theory Based on authentic happiness theory , happiness can be analyzed using three elements that we choose for their own sake: positive emotions, engagement, and meaning. To the extent that you have these three things, you’ll experience more happiness in your life. 1. Positive emotions Positive emotions include pleasant or desirable situational responses, which can be triggered by something as simple as eating ice cream, or something as complex as feeling a deep sense of compassion toward another person. Positive emotions include joy, optimism, contentment, and the like. This is the typical idea p...

9 Best Sites for Free Poetry

Image
Some writers do their best work with short stories, while others prefer the larger medium of a novel to work out their plots. Regardless of your preferred writing style, we can all appreciate poetry as the unique art form that it is and the creative freedom it affords its writers. It’s amazing how even just a 3-line haiku can touch on your deepest emotions and make you feel so understood! But while you can certainly buy some amazing books of poetry, many outstanding poems are available online for free, and you can read them to your heart’s content—if only you know where to look. Where Can You Read Poems Online for Free? Below are 9 excellent options if you’re looking for free poetry to enjoy. Some focus on the classics and well-known poets, while others boast the works of up-and-coming talents. 1. Poets.org Poets.org is produced by the Academy of American Poets. Since 1996, the site has supplied poems, poets’ biographies, essays about poetry, and helpful resources for K-12 tea...

8 Exciting Jobs for Creative Writing Majors

Image
When you think of a creative writing student, you might picture a “starving artist” dressed in black, sipping espressos and working tirelessly on their manuscript from some dark cafe. But creative writing majors also go on to work in brightly lit corporate offices, where they write exciting copy for the marketing department. They can work for newspapers, libraries, NGOs, government entities—any place where words matter (which is virtually everywhere!). If you’re considering a degree in creative writing, you should take some time to get acquainted with some of the most common career paths for graduates. Some of them may surprise you! What Kind of Jobs Can You Get with a Creative Writing Degree? Below are 8 potential job titles for creative writing majors. Note that these are just some of the more common routes—you’re certainly not limited to just these 8 titles! 1. Author Okay, let’s start with the most obvious. Of course, if you major in creative writing, we’ll go ahead and assu...

8 Job Boards for Writers: Where to Find Your Next Gig

Image
Writers are often grouped under the “starving artist” stereotype, with the assumption that all writers are destined to hold down odd jobs that allow them to work on their never-quite-finished novels or poetry. However, what many people forget is that there are so many types of writing, and the reality is that pretty much every industry requires a writer somewhere. With all those possibilities, you may wonder where you should look first if you’re interested in putting your writing skills to work. Job boards can simplify your search, making it easy to find freelance, full-time, or temporary jobs with companies or individual clients who need your talent. The good news is that there are job boards just for writers, and we’ve rounded up the best ones here! Job Boards for Writers Below are 8 excellent job boards for writers that can help you find freelance or full-time jobs where you can put your skills to work. 1. Freelance Writing Freelance Writing’s job board features writing job...

10 Empowering Feminist Books that Will Broaden Your Perspective

Image
March is Women’s History Month, but it’s always a good time to read empowering and inspirational feminist books, regardless of what your calendar says. There are lots of misconceptions about feminism that confuse both men and women about the movement’s true goals. The reality is that feminism seeks a more equal and just world for all, and you can learn more about those efforts and better understand the struggles of real women by educating yourself with eye-opening reads. 10 Eye-Opening Feminist Books Below are 10 excellent feminist books that will broaden your perspective and help you to better understand the unique struggles that women of all backgrounds endure. 1. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie This book offers the perfect introduction for people of all genders and backgrounds who want to understand more about feminism in the 21st century. This personal essay was adapted from the popular TEDx talk of the same name, and in it Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie...

How to Have More Energy: 10 Simple Tips for a Natural Boost

Image
Energy is a precious commodity that too little of us seem to have, yet everyone seems to be selling. If you browse any grocery or drug store, you’ll see aisles of beverages, supplements, and other magical potions that promise to bring you more energy—even 24 hours of it! But what if you already had everything you needed to boost your own energy levels? Simple choices and lifestyle adjustments can actually have you feeling pretty fine and fresh in no time, and in this post we’ll show you how you can reclaim your vitality by making small changes. How to Have More Energy Start practicing the 10 tips below to ensure that your energy tank is always full. 1. Be mindful of how you spend your energy. One possible reason you may feel low on energy is that you are spreading yourself too thin. Take a break to reflect on where and how you spend your energy. Are you trying to do it all? Taking on too many new projects at work? Trying to participate in too many events at your child’s school? K...

11 Online Writing Clubs That Foster Support Among Writers

Image
Writing can be a lonely endeavor. Granted, a great deal of writers are self-proclaimed introverts, so all that time spent in solitude might not seem like an issue at first. However, even the shiest writers will agree that one of the best ways to improve their craft is by getting feedback from others and talking through some of their big ideas. That’s where the importance of writing clubs and communities comes into play. These groups offer support systems for writers of all levels, and the good news is that you don’t even need to leave your house to reap the benefits of membership! We’ve rounded up the best online writing clubs that unite writers across boundaries. Online Writing Clubs and Communities Below are 10 great online writing clubs and communities where writers can support one another from all around the world. 1. Critique Circle Critique Circle is an online writing community where you can review other writers’ work and receive feedback on your own. Start by critiquing...