Ash rained from the sky today. It stuck to my windshield wipers and my hair, and collected on the blacktop like sinister snow. The air smells of smoke, a friendly kind of smoke that reminds me of hot dogs and blackened marshmellows melting squares of Hershey's. But this isn't campfire smoke. It is the smell … More A Burning Metaphor
Yes, I finished last month, and on time. I just didn't talk about it. I've written over 350,000 words of fiction since January first. It's been three weeks since I have blogged, and it is because I have nothing much to say. I can think of lots of topics and witticisms, many strings of words … More Seven Down, Five to Go! (Reflecting on silence and
Every Sunday, I choose a passage of wisdom from someone who knows better and much more than I do about writing, life, the universe and/or everything. Share and enjoy! There is an implied contract between the author and the reader that goes something like this: Give me your time and money, and I'll let you … More Inspiration #24
Every Sunday, I choose a passage of wisdom from someone who knows better and much more than I do about writing, life, the universe and/or everything. Share and enjoy! It can also happen that the author will kill himself or herself writing. The only book that is worth writing is the one we don’t have … More Inspiration #23
We all know the routine, the advice, the universal cat o’nine tails writers flagellate themselves with, the guilt monster that chases us each time we shrug writing in favor of movie night. It’s like the knowledge that we should eat our veggies and sleep more, and while we’re at it say our prayers and floss … More Month Six Reflections: Writing Every Day Is The Wrong Goal
If you’re here expecting a little rant about the necessary evil of outlines, but how I’ll persevere to get better at them because that’s what Real Writers do, you’re in the wrong room. Go look at some lolcats or something. Or feel free to stick around, but remember that I already told you this won’t … More Bitching About Outlines
Every Sunday, I choose a passage of wisdom from someone who knows better and much more than I do about writing, life, the universe and/or everything. Share and enjoy! “I was at a wedding in Taos, New Mexico, talking with a person I knew ten years ago at the Lama Foundation. I remembered that he … More Inspiration #19
Every Sunday, I choose a passage of wisdom from someone who knows better and much more than I do about writing, life, the universe and/or everything. Share and enjoy! “High-school and college teachers of “creative writing” (what other kind is there?) often are too gentle with their students. Their idea is that the students should … More Inspiration #18
Day Twenty-Six: Aprox. 20,000 of 50,000 words Last Sunday’s inspiration post mentioned something called FILDI, which means “Fuck it, let’s do it!” It is that beautiful moment when we suddenly remember that everything is temporary anyway, and if we don’t get it done, it never will have a chance to suck and to just do … More When FILDI Kicks In
Every Sunday, I choose a passage of wisdom from someone who knows better and much more than I do about writing, life, the universe and/or everything. Share and enjoy! I normally really dislike videos in blogs, but this one is a must-see. Please watch it. You will be glad you did. And as a note, … More Inspiration #17
Concerning History in the Atlantic World, 1680-1740
The long haul of the spectrum
one woman's thoughts about life on the spectrum
Japanese pop culture through a feminist lens
The official blog of Michelle Tuckett, word ninja. 