Notes from the Inkpot

Writing, teaching, creating - one ink-stained idea at a time.

Placeholder image with the text 'Start here.' in large black font on a white background.
A stack of five closed books on a wooden table, with an open book nearby, and a blurred plant in the background, captioned 'The Literature Library'.
Open notebook with a fountain pen resting on lined pages, on a wooden table. Text overlay reads 'Creative Writing Prompts'.
Several booklets titled 'The Victoriana Collection,' 'The Hemlock Collection,' and 'The Kindling Collection' placed on a rustic surface surrounded by dried leaves, a glass container, and vintage writing tools, with a steaming cup of tea or coffee nea
Fairytale Genre Switch Generator: Reimagine Classic Tales in New Genres
For Writers, Creative Writing, Creative Writing Generators, Fairytales & Folklore Ink & Insights . For Writers, Creative Writing, Creative Writing Generators, Fairytales & Folklore Ink & Insights .

Fairytale Genre Switch Generator: Reimagine Classic Tales in New Genres

Reimagine classic fairytales in completely new genres with this free Fairytale Genre Switch Generator. Turn Cinderella into dystopian fiction, Snow White into a crime story or Rapunzel into folk horror, with story DNA, genre conventions, transformed settings, characters, iconic objects and creative twists to inspire your own original retelling.

Read More
How to Teach Animal Farm: Practical Strategies, Discussion Ideas, and Activities That Actually Work
For Teachers, Teaching Resources Ink & Insights . For Teachers, Teaching Resources Ink & Insights .

How to Teach Animal Farm: Practical Strategies, Discussion Ideas, and Activities That Actually Work

Teaching Animal Farm works best when you slow students down and focus on how Orwell builds power through language, propaganda, and responsibility. In this post, I break down how to teach it without drowning students in context, share activities that actually work in the classroom, and include a free set of Chapter 1 creative writing prompts you can use straight away.

Read More