While poking around the sale tables at Barnes & Noble, I found what is easily my favorite thing this week. Hiding under a stuffed animal with freakishly large eyes, I found a box of Haikubes for the bargain price of $12.
What are Haikubes? They are a set of 63 word cubes meant to inspire the writing of haikus (or any form of poetry). The words include most parts of speech and cover a wide range of language. Some words are what would be considered traditional haiku fare, like peace, whisper, and pebble, while others can only be classified as modern, like hmmmm, etc., and science.
The interesting mix of words is part of what makes this an ultimate source of inspiration. Instead of being locked into one mode of thinking for haiku, Haikubes encourage a fresh take on an old tradition. Although, I do wonder what the syllable count would be for hmmmm!
The set even includes two “theme” cubes to further guide the writing process. As if the words aren’t enough, phrases like “A dream about,” “A vision for,” and “A regret about” are sure to trigger some creative word crafting.
All I have to do is roll the dice and get writing. Seeing all those words splayed across my table is like looking at a giant puzzle. As I search through the words, it’s like I’m solving a giant riddle. The words are just waiting for me to arrange them into something that makes sense.
If there’s any question about whether Haikubes actually work, see my post from Wednesday, Thunder.
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What’s your favorite thing this week?
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c.b.w. 2014
“What’s your favorite thing this week?”
Conundrums
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I love that word. 🙂
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I love the thing itself. 🙂
http://mairibheag.com/2014/09/26/imagine-a-wall/
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OH my WORD!!!! I am putting this on my Christmas list and I don’t ever make Christmas lists but THIS is going on it! Thank you for sharing your awesome find…I’m so glad you moved the googly-eyed creature for this. :)!
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Oh, and my favorite thing…pears….lots and lots of pears from our tree out back and the good wholesome-homemaker-feeling I gained from processing them into pear sauce for my family. 🙂
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My writing group has used Haikubes before and I always wanted a set. I was ecstatic to find them on sale. 🙂
Mmmmmm. Pears! I’m jealous of that sauce – it sounds delicious.
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I’m so glad you found so much inspiration. You might just try writing about those googly eyes too.
My favorite thing: old photographs. I sorted through some boxes yesterday and found some great “forgotten” treasures.
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Those goggly eyes were downright frightening! I think I’ll work on forgetting they exist. 😉
How fun to find forgotten photographs. I just found some treasures inside some old books that were left by my grandma. 🙂
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Oh my goodness! I need to find these! They would be perfect for teaching poetry to my middle schoolers (and for personal use, of course).
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I thought the same thing for my student Creative Writing Club, but be forewarned there are a few words that would be better left out of the hands of middle and high schoolers. A few of the cubes have words on them that could be used in very inappropriate ways.
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Thanks for the heads up! I hate those moments when you realize something like that until after it’s too late.
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Rather ironic or coincidental that you would write about Haikubes since I just pulled my out a couple days ago. My parents gave them to me a few years ago, and I haven’t been very good about using them, but I’ve wanted to center myself lately and they can really dial down the outside noise. I love the ‘Bakelite’ feel of them. So chunky and pleasing to sort through. They are rather fun to have around.
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Oh, how funny! 🙂 If that isn’t kismet, I don’t know what is.
I love how they feel, too. The smooth texture and the weight is somehow comforting.
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