I’ve always loved history: this is what happened and this is why you are here. And I’ve always loved the 19th century because it was like a great-grandmother, animating the lives of the oldest people I’ve known, the ones who taught my parents. When listening to my grandmother talk about my mother I soon became […]
Aunt Serena’s Legacy: (Guest Blog) by Melanie Lee Read More »
What I learned from reading the works of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Nobel laureate and Columbian author of such perfect books such as One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera: to leave every last drop of inspiration on the page. My favorite book by Garcia Marquez is a slim story called “Chronicle
Chronicle of a Story Foretold: by Devi Laskar Read More »
Next week, my kids start kindergarten. Do you remember your first day of kindergarten? What I remember about mine in that the teachers were on strike—that day and for six more weeks. There is a photograph of me, in a leotard, sitting with my father on the cement barrier that lined the lawn and curved
The First Day of Kindergarten and Other Tricks for Writers: by Elizabeth Stark Read More »
I was going to write something up about researching places to submit your short pieces this week, but I’ve been on vacation and in addition to not having done much in the way of my own research, I had a very strange experience that I thought I’d toss out there and see if others have
Spirit of the Thing – E-Readers and Fiction: by Angie Powers Read More »
It’s a typical Friday night, and I’ve just finished putting on my tails – an archaic costume that most male orchestral musicians are required to wear for their concerts. Cummerbunds, bowties and white vests are not the usual attire that you see on the streets of San Francisco (except at certain times of the year
On Playing, Listening, Writing & Reading: (Guest Blog) by Robert Ward Read More »
When you’re in doubt, emulate. This week in the Book Writing World, we are bringing in to class our favorite passages from our favorite published books, and sharing them — as a way to appreciate good writing, but also to learn new techniques. To study and (hopefully) pick up how to create effective dialogue or
“Liberating Literature:” by Devi Laskar Read More »
Recently I was watching the HBO movie called Hemingway and Gellhorn. In one scene, Martha Gellhorn quizzed her “Papa” on how he could possibly write after a night of raucous drinking and gallivanting. Mr. Hemingway explained that standing (he stood when he wrote) and punching out page after page was a great way to keep
Productive Procrastination: (guest blog) by Tim Monti-Wohlpart Read More »
Last week I completed a series on doing things in public. Just getting a first draft out there wasn’t so hard. Going through revision in front of folks, a little harder. But, it’s all blog posts. Yes, I put effort into it, but a post doesn’t represent my heart and soul’s desire and effort. Not
Dangerous and Fun: by Angie Powers Read More »
No one ever asks another person, ‘So why did you take a shower today?’ or ‘Why is it necessary for you to have lunch?’ The red flags are raised, so to speak, when the tasks of bathing and eating are not completed regularly, when there is an absence of action. But with writing, it’s different.
Art for one’s own sake: by Devi Laskar Read More »
Revision. It’s not exactly the same as writing. Writing is hard, and writing consistently every day is harder. It’s an art. But being steeped in revision is different than writing every day. You have to be a certain sort of artist to revise, one that’s willing to set yourself adrift in a sea of electric
Electric Uncertainty: by Devi Laskar Read More »
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