Simplify Your Writing Environment with JDarkRoom

JDarkRoom is a cool little (100k) program that let's you see nothing but the words your typing (i.e., eliminate distractions.)
I don't like that I can't italicize (because I think it is really intended for people writing code, not prose,) but otherwise it's quite nice.

P.S. If it doesn't work, it's probably b/c you don't have the latest Java update.

The Homework Wars - Lifehacker

A quick guide for winning the The Homework Wars.

Don't be yourself...

"Don't be yourself. Be someone a little nicer."
-Mignon McLaughlin, journalist and author (1913-1983)

2006-07 MTC Writing Fair Winners

I've scanned the winning entires from the 2006-07 Mark Twain Conference Writing Fair to a single PDF file. You can download it here and read stories, poems, and essays from students from Chadwick and other schools.

Grammar Ninja Game

Identify the parts of speech with speed and precision to earn the title of grammar ninja in this flash game.

BTW--On the test run in Master Ninja mode I finished in 1:14 with 0 mistakes. Let me know how you weigh in. A couple are a little tricky--remember to look for the role the word is playing in the sentence. Good luck and feel free to brag on your score in the comments!

Apropos of Nothing

I haven't posted anything in awhile so I though I'd post...nothing.

Thoughts on Losing Family from Life of Pi

Thoughts on loss from Yann Martel's Life of Pi:

"...to lose your brother is to lose someone with whom you can share the experience of growing old, who is supposed to bring you sister-in-law and nieces and nephews, creatures to people the tree of your life and give it new branches. To lose your father is like to lose the one whose guidance and help you seek, who supports you like a tree trunk supports its branches. To lose your mother, well, that's like losing the sun above you..."

Pen Ad + Handwriting Analysis

TUL.com
I'd put about as much stake in this as I do in horoscopes and the like. But, then again, mine was pretty accurate. Enjoy. (P.S. The results are in video form and take a few minutes to view.)

Economy/Efficiency in Writing

Quotes on efficient writing: More time = shorter letter.

Ninjawords

Ninjawords
A very efficient dictionary. You can search for multiple words at once. I recommend adding it to your firefox search bar.

Read books by email

DailyLit: Read books by email and RSS.

You can read War and Peace in just 675 days! Just read your email! There are lots of other titles as well. I haven't tried it, but thought it was a cool idea.