I can't stop thinking about Hurricane Katrina. I can't stop thinking about the helpless victims, the tragic loss of life, and the thousands of stranded inhabitants of New Orleans who are struggling to survive in a city that has no electricity, no running water, and a broken network of communications. It's heartbreaking.

I'm also saddened by the devastation that has struck the Crescent City (as New Orleans is also known). Its vibrant neighborhoods, lush gardens, and bustling bistros are now drowning like Lego blocks in a bathtub full of water from Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River. What future awaits this beautiful city and its rich architectural and literary trails?

We, the editors of READ and WRITING magazines cheerfully welcome you to WORD. Come on in! Have a seat! Would you like a cup of hot chocolate? Or are you drinking coffee these days? What is your beverage of choice when you curl up with a good book? What goes through your head when you're writing a story, an essay, or a poem? We want to know. Our goal has always been to aid you in your writing and get you excited about the printed word. Now you have a venue to speak to us. Our eyes are open and clear. This blog is here for you.