Articles written by E. R. Smalter

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About me - E. R. Smalter

My name is Emily Smalter and I'm a freshman at Western New England College in Springfield, Mass. I've been passionate about writing since I started bringing my composition notebook to recess in first grade. As an English/Psychology double major I find it

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Society & Lifestyle > Personal Morals & Values Why we make mistakes: 20 of 236
I believe first that the question of "Why we make mistakes" should be broadened. The answer depends on whether this mistake we're making is the first or second time we've made this mistake. If you're making a mistake for the first time, it could be because you didn't know any better. It could also be because you are trying t... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Mythology & Folklore Why we grow out of believing in magic: 3 of 28
Magic was a seemingly constant presence in my childhood. I absolutely adored unicorns, and believed they not only existed but had magical properties. I didn't have an imaginary friend, I had imaginary unicorns. A whole orphanage of them in fact, to the point where I wanted to design my own unicorn figurines. At seven years o... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Twilight: 3 of 25
Something about Twilight Something about walking in twilight Lends itself to quiet contemplation of the night In the cold, a begging for silent warmth Hands tucked into sleeves, making a desperate mantra in hope for shelter from wind chill. Something about wind chill Lends itself to a wandering will, distractions of the mind... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Solitude: 24 of 85
Solitude, and not. The crack and rustled song, the whispers of the grass beneath the molding sky, the twitching trees - oh I have tried to say this twice never came out right it only works in the moonlight with a cool breeze like a blanket with the acoustics of my nerves at work Solitude, I breathe and ease an ode to you You... More..
Arts & Humanities > Poets & Poetry Can 'bad' poetry have value?: 21 of 67
I believe that "bad" poetry can definitely have value. My definition of bad poetry is poetry that has muddled it's original message either through poor syntax, inadequate explanation or by just not having much of a clear purpose to begin with. Sometimes a bad poem is just underdeveloped, or is too wordy. Other times a bad po... More..
Education > Educational Philosophy Is competition in school helpful or harmful to the students?: 16 of 45
I have also belonged to the school of thought that education should be something that is rooted in self motivation. If you aren't doing it for yourself, you won't be doing it well. I've believed that grades, especially as a marker of competition, are harmful to a student's progress. I can use myself as an example: In high sc... More..
Home & Garden > Home Repair (Other) How to cool your home on a tight budget: 7 of 17
One of the most important things to consider when trying to keep your house cool is using your air conditioning to its highest potential. To start, trying placing fans near your air conditioning units to help circulate air around the house. Even if the air isn't blowing directly on you, it will still help cool you and the re... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: The ocean: 83 of 186
Musing of a Beach Moment having exhaled reminiscent sighs of summer air onto sand, my breath carries the scent of the ocean, the taste of the sea. I feel every creature longs for that great body - their heartbeat matching the waves' crash, a substance nearly three fourths of a whole four fourths of that feeling you inhale wh... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Couples: 9 of 17
To look and see I look at roses and see roses red crimson curves and dips, dripping and dropping water droplets mini bits of crystal lips, I see no science, I feel no cells It is not in me to view a flower in a way that seems so, I look at sunsets and see sunsets colors blending and blurring bursts of tingles, spine chilling... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing Process (Other) Do great writers rely more on effort or insight?: 45 of 61
I do not believe it's possible to be a great writer without effort. Effort is necessary to be even a passing writer, without effort you won't even get anything down on the paper. What gives that extra push however, what makes a writer truly influential, is insight, and I feel that is what good writers count on more than effo... More..