The Art of Peter Pan

There are very few people who are not familiar with the boy who refused to grow up. The story of Peter Pan is close to our hearts: a memorial to our childhoods—and to the children we still are. 

Walt Disney's animation is so popular it seems to overshadow James M. Barrie’s original story. When someone says Peter Pan it’s usually Disney’s version that jumps to mind: red hair, green suit, a pointed hat with a red feather. It was in 1953 that Disney got ahold of Peter Pan, and the version of the world and characters he created has been the prevailing one ever since. 

Writind Drills: Random Word Genorators

      Drills are a seriously underrated part of creative writing. They're great mind- and style-stretching exercises, prompting you to explore things you’d never try on your own. Whether you've got writers block, a procrastination problem, or just a bad case of brain-fluff, writing prompts are great for clearing out the muck and get back on track, but aren't so all-consuming that you can't go back to your current work in progress when you're through.

      There are a lot of ways to go about prompt writing. My favorite method of late has been the random word generator. Let me explain:

Random Topic Generator: Ballroom Dance

The ballroom has captured our imaginations for centuries.

Today, the tradition of ballroom dance has largely died, but our fascination for it still clings. Swords and gowns, gentlemen and ladies—from glittering fairy tales like Cinderella to the glories of classic Hollywood cinema, the idea still delights us.

History of Ballroom Dance

The traditions of the ballroom began when European courts started adapting folk dances into something more sophisticated and posh.⁽¹⁾ These intricate adaptations became something to learn and practice—often under the instruction of a relative or dance master. The exact date ballroom dance came into existence is difficult to peg—likely around the late 1600s to early 1700s.⁽²⁾ From then on, it gained steadily in both popularity and importance. The ballroom became a stage to show off grace, style, and social prowess: not just a pastime, but an integrated part of upper-class life and an essential subject in any well-to-do child’s education.⁽³⁾

Random Topic Generator: Anthrax

     So, first things first: what is anthrax?  Some may remember it from the news back in 2001, but even so--and for anyone that didn’t catch that series of stories--it’s so rare these day it could use a bit of recap.

     Anthrax is an infection caused by the spores of the bacteria Bacillus anthracis.  This disease usually affects grazing animals--sheep, cows, goats, etc.--but under certain circumstances can be passed on to humans as well.(1)  Animals get the disease by ingesting or inhaling spores while grazing, and humans get it by coming in contact with infected animals: handling ill livestock or corpses, eating contaminated meat, or working with other infected products such as wool or animal skins.(2)