A few observations from inside the polar vortex: - For what seems like the first time in days, I saw birds this morning and heard them singing. This seems like a good sign. Where do they go when it gets this cold? There are, of course, places that … [Read more...]
Looking Back on a Year in Writing: 2013
January 4, 2014 By 4 Comments
The past year was a good year for my writing, full of some exciting firsts and a big learning curve. Here are some of the highlights. What I did: April. First ever short story accepted for publication in Pea River Journal. June. First time … [Read more...]
Madison Monday: At the Christmas Parade
December 9, 2013 By 1 Comment
This is my first Madison Monday post in a while, basically because I’ve become something of a reclusive shut-in. I’d blame it on the weather, but really, I’m just going through a phase where all in all, I’d rather be on my couch with the family than … [Read more...]
Indiana Book Review: The Circus in Winter
December 4, 2013 By 1 Comment
Here’s an important lesson I recently learned–when you’re going to a writer’s conference, read the books written by the authors who will be leading workshops and teaching classes. Otherwise you might miss out. This summer, I went to the Midwest … [Read more...]
About The Bar Room Door
December 2, 2013 By 1 Comment
My flash fiction piece, "The Bar Room Door," is up at the great new online literary magazine, Cease, Cows. It's kind of about Madison. In a way. And yes, there's an explanation for the name of the lit mag (Cease, Cows). It has to do with Gabriel … [Read more...]
National Novel Writing Month: the finale
December 1, 2013 By 2 Comments
November is over, and I’m happy to say I officially won National Novel Writing Month. I reached 50,000 words on November 21, with nine days to spare. I originally set out to finish my novel in progress during November, and I did add 10,000 words … [Read more...]
Re-Post: Madison Monday: a local holiday
November 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday here in Madison; time to think about shopping locally. If you're out and about tomorrow, be sure to stop by Village Lights Bookstore. To support Indie bookstores, young adult author Julia Karr and poet Norbert … [Read more...]
Interview with Ellen Airgood, Part 2
November 25, 2013 By 2 Comments
It’s Week 4 of National Novel Writing Month. The home stretch at last! To celebrate and inspire, here’s more from my conversation with my friend and novelist, Ellen Airgood. Ellen is the author of the adult novel, South of Superior, and a middle … [Read more...]
NaNoWriMo Update: the half-way point
November 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment
We're halfway through National Novel Writing Month and I'm going strong despite the cold my husband so kindly passed on to me. There are two types of colds, in my experience. The ones that lay you out on the couch for days wishing the world would … [Read more...]
One fell swoop: how to get stuck while writing (and how not to)
November 12, 2013 By 1 Comment
How to get stuck What I wanted to say is that the character drank her whiskey down in one gulp. But I don't want to use gulp. I don't want to say gulped. I want the phrase that will perfectly convey that feeling that life has become too much for … [Read more...]
