They say there's always a cruise story. Here's one you wouldn't expect. How does this relate to writing? A writer must be able to see the worst possible scenario in order to create tense moments, but she must also be ready to see the best, to be the ultimate optimist. So I got a rejection, … Continue reading Spontaneous 8 Drama on the High Sea
Category: fiction
5000 Words Fall, 2019 Writing Contest Winners!
It's that time of year again! 5000 Words students participated in a workshop and writing contest, and the winners have been chosen. But not by me—they judge each other. It's the good sort of judging. This session we read Watership Down by Richard Adams, a quest story with leadership and courage themes...and it's entirely about… Continue reading 5000 Words Fall, 2019 Writing Contest Winners!
Call for Beta Readers
Oh happy day! My novel is "done," which means I'm reaching out for beta readers. Bookworm (73K words) is an adult thriller with horror and romantic elements (because those pair so well!). It leans dark and literary, as so much of my writing does. So 18 and older, please, but other than that, my only… Continue reading Call for Beta Readers
What Gets Under My Skin: Words
Caged Bird A free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends and dips his wing in the orange sun rays and dares to claim the sky. *** But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bars of rage his wings are… Continue reading What Gets Under My Skin: Words
That’ll Teach You a Lesson: Skits
Hands down, my students' favorite class is when they write and perform skits. We read The King and His Hawk to get a feel for the form. The lesson of this great fable: Don't do anything in anger. The King and His Hawk is especially appropriate for the battle-weary parent, as she has multiple hawks… Continue reading That’ll Teach You a Lesson: Skits
Flash Fiction Contest
Uncertainty is the only certainty there is. - John Allen Paulos One must be able to adjust to uncertainty, and since the weekly Microcosms contest is down, I've scrounged up my very favorite story-prompt of all time, the above image. I invite students and fellow bloggers to participate in a little flash contest of our… Continue reading Flash Fiction Contest
Flash Contest Detour: No Microcosms, No Problem!
Each session of my 5000 Words class, we devote one week to flash fiction. The assignment is to enter a piece in Microcosms, which experiences a rather dramatic spike in entrants. 🙂 This morning when I opened my email, I found Microcosms is having technical difficulties this week, the week my students are to enter… Continue reading Flash Contest Detour: No Microcosms, No Problem!
