You wake up in a decently comfortable bed in room in an old, old house. And then you remember: I’m in France! Yes, you are. You took the train down from Paris the day before and arrived here just in time to wander the town and then meet the other workshop attendees for wine and […]
I talk a lot about writing workshops and retreats, because I love them both so much. But I’m aware that sometimes in the past I’ve used the terms workshop and retreat interchangeably, causing all matter of confusion and consternation. So let’s discuss, shall we? During a writing workshop, writers submit work, either ahead of time […]
So, we’re coming up on the end of our third week here in Ceret. After Saturday, we have one more week here, and then Debbie and I have three days in Lyon before heading back to the states. Already, we are talking sadly about how fast the time has gone. How hard it will be […]
As you read this, I’ll just be settling into my home-for-a-month in Ceret. (Follow me on Instagram for lots of photos.) Because I will be spending several days in transit, I went in search of an older post to set up ahead of time and this one from 2015 seemed especially appropriate. Enjoy! I love […]
I’m writing this to you at 4:30 in the morning, sitting at my desk back home in Portland. Yes, you read that right: 4:30 AM. Because: jet lag. I’ve been waking at this hour every day since we returned home from France on Tuesday night. It’s great for getting writing done, but hell for trying […]
(While I’m away teaching in France for the month, I’m running a few favorite letters from last year. We will be back to regular, new programming the first week in October. Meanwhile, if you want to come to France with me next year, click here for a look at this year’s program.) Here I am […]
After three weeks in France, I’m home again. Even though the Google and my phone still feed me the occasional search result or ad in French, it is nice to be able to understand the language people are speaking around me. (It’s always a shock to land back in a U.S. airport on the journey […]
I’m leaving for France (Paris and Ceret) soon. I’m not one of those people who pack and repack a week ahead. No, you’ll find me throwing clothes in the suitcase the night before. But, and this is a big but—when the time comes for me to commence said throwing, I will know exactly what I’m […]
I have a veritable cornucopia of links for you today, so let’s dive right in. Here goes: Writing Finish that novel already! (I know, it’s not that easy.) Writing historical fiction For the love of it Write great YA fiction How to become a ghostwriter Writing setting (a topic dear to my heart since I […]
I'm just back from three weeks in Europe, one week for leading a writing workshop, and the other two for fun. However, I am a firm believer that even the two "fun" weeks contributed greatly to my writing career. Yeah, it might have looked like I was lolling about in the south of France, eating tapas […]
