And here you have them: the last set of writing prompts for September. Hope you’ve enjoyed them, and stay tuned for news of the release of a writing journal of prompts soon! –Not in this lifetime. –If ever I should leave you…. –What are the parameters of your main character’s world? Is he an international […]
I’m in a prompt kind of mood (or at least I was when I wrote this post, before I left for France) because later on this fall I’ll be coming out, with a wonderful co-author, with a writing prompt journal that you will be able to hold in your very own hands! Exciting, no? But […]
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 […]
If you’re anything like me, the beginning of writing a book is a messy affair. You’ve taken notes like crazy, and they might be anywhere and everywhere. You’ve got nuggets about character buried deep inside a Moleskine, and the best ideas ever for a plot–if only you could find them. I’m all for this chaos […]
I am at this moment a fool for detoxing. I’m doing a three-month heavy metal detox (under doctor’s supervision—don’t try this at home) and, at the same time (because why not), a detox designed to clean out my gut and make it healthier. I’ll spare you the gory details of it all, other than to […]
(My inspiration for this post comes from a list penned by Anne Wayman.) What’s on your desk? My computer, a small Dell laptop A cat (just about always) A yellow legal pad with notes on it Two books about writing The little journal in which I keep my to-do lists and make […]
Forgive me, father for I have sinned am sinning. I am committing one of the cardinal writing sins. I am three-quarters of the way through the first draft of my next novel, and rather than writing all the way to the end, I am starting over. I hear your gasps. I see your open mouths. […]
My outdoor writing space It is hot here in Portland, mid to upper 90s all last week and more of the same this week, with temps predicted to reach into the 100s by the weekend. We usually get some hot hot weather during the summer, but this is very early for a heat wave and […]
Being immersed in the creative process–writing a novel, creating a class, knitting a sweater, planting a garden–is my most favorite thing in the world. Until I hit a block. And decide that the novel stinks, nobody will want to take the class, the sweater won't fit, the garden won't grow. And then I hate the […]
"If you're going through hell, keep going." Winston Churchill "The only way around is through." Robert Frost The only way out is through. We usually don't want to hear this particular bit of advice, but I have found that it is true. I thought about it as I was out walking this morning, […]
