I'm heading out again first thing tomorrow morning. It is unusual for me to book trips so close together (I got back from Nashville less than a week ago), but it is just the way it worked out this time. Tomorrow's destination is Diamond, Oregon, way over in the southeastern section of the state, a […]
It has been raining here forever. Worst spring in ages. It is not for me to complain, however, because when I was in Nashville last weekend, the temperatures hit 90 degrees. And the sun shone nearly every day I was there. Plus, bad storms hit the day before I arrived and a few days after […]
I have been away, not only from my home, but from my writing. At least, I've been away from the writing writing part of writing, the actual putting words on paper part. But I've been doing a couple other activities of vital importance, the first being brainstorming and planning and the second being connecting with […]
I'm leaving for Nashville tomorrow, and I don't want to go. I do really, because I'm the "book doctor" at Room to Write and there are going to be a dozen fabulous writers there. And I'm going to see lots of friends. Stay on the beautiful Scarritt Bennett campus and then with my friend Candace. […]
Tomorrow is the new moon. Yesterday we had our first 60 degree day here in Portland (it actually hit 68). Spring officially began a couple of weeks ago. New life, new energy and new excitement is blossoming everywhere. Time for some creative writing prompts that focus on the new. The thing that I love about […]
I'm so pleased to present to you another amazing Creative Cognoscente Interview this Friday. Please welcome Whitney Freya and hang onto your hat as you read this because she is a force of nature. I was pleased to invite Whitney to lead a workshop at the Writer's Loft last September and ever since then I've […]
Last week, Ray, my mailman, found me washing dishes in the kitchen. He'd been knocking on the front door (haven't had a functioning doorbell in this house, ever) but I thought it was just the noisy construction guys around the corner, so I ignored the sound until he came around to the side door to […]
6:30. Rise, stumble to the coffeepot, take coffee with me to the journal, sit and write for an hour. Best part of the day. 7:30. Check email; try not to get too engrossed in letters from friends or the latest celebrity gossip news. 8:00. Walk with my friend Sharon. We’ve been walking together, three times […]
One of the best tools a writer can learn is the art of listening. Actually, learning to listen is a useful tool for any human, period. I spent the weekend in a workshop with people who had varying degrees of skills in listening, which has had me pondering the subject. As my good and wise […]
