Reflections of a neophyte book marketer
Memories: One of my dominant memories from growing up was how often I thought I had arrived at the top of the mountain, only to discover that just across the ridge was ... the next mountain. I graduated from elementary school. Across the ridge? Middle school, of...
Write what you want to learn about –
Write What You’re Curious About My first writing instructor told me I should “Write what you know.” It sounded like good advice. I followed it. I wrote a lot of boring material. Deeply snooze-worthy stuff. I went for long periods without writing at all. Talked...
I will miss that man
Farewell's are a time for sadness. And a time to savor sweet memories. I will miss his big smile. I will miss his big heart, his hope and his optimism. I will miss his eloquence, in words and deeds. I will miss the inspiration I felt from him. I will miss the feeling...
Illness … the humility and the joy
Long absence from the blog ... my apologies, but I hope the above photo supplies some explanation. Two weeks. Missed 90% of Christmas, never wanted to be farther than six feet from the bed. "A virus of unknown origin," the doctor said. "Thank you very little," I...
A mindful start to your writing day
Take time to Tune the Mind before you Write I don't know about you, but too often I approach my writing sessions with one of two, extreme attitudes. Either, I rush to the computer because I'm so excited about what I want to write, or I dread the keyboard, think I have...
Giving Thanks
This Thanksgiving, I'd like particularly to express my gratitude to the 12 intrepid souls who spent the last 10 weeks with me in my Memoir & Mindfulness class in Ashland, OR. Their writing was brave and hopeful and true. They experimented with new styles and...
The Magic of Memoir
If you're working on a memoir, or considering that leap, check out this just published collection. You'll get a range of advice and stories about memoir writing, and rewriting, from a broad spectrum of memoir writers. Find out what it's like, the joys, the fears, the...
What do Memoir, Mindfulness and ‘Merican elections have in common?
What do Memoir, Mindfulness, and 'Merican elections have in common? At first glance, nothing. Well, they do all start with "M." That ought to count for something. But not much.There must be more to it than that. I'll begin with 'Merican elections. I can't get the damn...
King of Doubt, finalist in OWC contest
Toot, Toot! We won first place!! :-) :-) :-) I've never been too good at tooting my own horn. Maybe that's why I gave up playing the saxaphone. (Also just one of the many reasons why I'll never be the Republican nominee for President, but that's another...
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