Tarn Wilson – författare

Winner of the Wandering Aengus Book Award, Tarn Wilson''s memoir-in-essays In Praise of Inadequate Gifts explores the varied ways we cope with trauma and loss-and the miraculous, awkward, and imperfect process of renewal.

Wilson explores a wide range of topics: her obsession with teeth, why she doesn''t have children, the summer she spent soldering keyboards for Chrysler Le Barons. She traces the effects of her mother''s rape, her confusion after her friend''s mother is murdered, her own divorce and struggle with anxiety, and her complex grief after the death of her distant father and mentally ill mother.

Wilson considers these difficult experiences with curiosity and gentle humor. Her honesty, empathy, and lack of self-pity make us feel we are sitting down with a trusted friend, inviting us to give voice to our own hard journey. Ultimately, this collection is about the redemptive power of kindness and connection. "Love''s gestures are so unassuming, so ordinary, so clumsy, so imperfect - yet, miraculously, they hold something larger than themselves, big enough to press back against the darkness." 

Through her experimentation with form, Wilson''s multifaceted reflections reveal how we come to understand our stories and the choices we make as we construct the narrative of our lives.

Become a better writer in 5 minutes a day

Writing regularly is the best way to boost your skills and stay inspired—and this book of creative writing prompts is here to help you out! Spark your creativity with 501 short, simple prompts that encourage you to imagine, create, and improve.

Just 5 minutes—The exercises in this daily writing prompt journal are quick and easy to do so you can always carve out a bit of writing time, no matter what else is going on in your life.

Let go of the rules—Open-ended prompts offer just enough guidance to get you started as you practice generating fresh ideas, creative thinking, and releasing perfectionism.

A mix of prompts—From a love poem to a sci-fi adventure and dialogue between kids, you''ll get a chance to work with an array of genres, topics, and styles.

Continue the story—Each writing activity includes an optional extra prompt that lets you expand what you wrote into something even more detailed and unique.

Spark something new and build confidence in your writing this collection of 501 writing prompts!