Notes from the Inkpot

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

70 Magical Realism Writing Prompts for Teens: Ideas, Openings, and Visual Starters for the English Classroom

70 Magical Realism Writing Prompts for Teens: Ideas, Openings, and Visual Starters for the English Classroom

Magical realism invites students to see the ordinary world through an extraordinary lens. These 70 creative writing prompts are built for teens who love stories that shimmer just beneath the surface- where lost towns reappear, time bends in kitchens, and emotions take physical shape. Perfect for classroom inspiration or personal writing practice, this collection blends poetic titles, eerie openings, visual prompts, and grounded storytelling to help young writers explore the surreal in everyday life.

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Save Hours Planning Creative Writing Units with Daily Prompts

Save Hours Planning Creative Writing Units with Daily Prompts

Tired of reinventing the wheel for every creative writing lesson? Daily prompts offer a flexible, low-prep way to boost engagement, sharpen skills, and save you hours of planning. Here's how to build an entire unit around them, and where to grab your first month of prompts for free.

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Creative Writing Lessons That Feel Like Time Travel: How I Use Writing Boxes in the Classroom

Creative Writing Lessons That Feel Like Time Travel: How I Use Writing Boxes in the Classroom

Tired of blank stares during creative writing lessons? These immersive story boxes turn students into detectives, poets, and storytellers. From séance invitations to village festivals with a secret, here’s how I use creative writing boxes to spark serious engagement (and save my sanity) in the classroom.

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