Monthly Archives: June 2018

Something Wonderful

Let’s begin this summer weekend a little early!  This Something Wonderful offering comes to us via my wonderful friend and poet Tara Moyle, who shared at a workshop she taught: Peonies at Dusk  by Jane Kenyon White peonies blooming along … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Contest Alert

“Brevity is the soul of lingerie.”     Dorothy Parker Short stories appear to be making a comeback and that may suitsome of your perfectly. If so, then you may want to check out this contest: the Summer Short Story Award for … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“Good Training”

“In poetry courses, students may be asked to write “in the manner of”so-and-so,or to use a stanza or cadence from a published poet as a model, but teachers of prose writing seem to shun the very idea of imitating. I … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

One Word

“Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”   E. L. Doctorow Here’s what Dinty W. Moore, author of The Mindful … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Diving In

“Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.”              Samuel Johnson A fascinating creative fact: George Gershwin conjured up most of his ideas for his marvelous musical compositions by just sitting at the piano and playing. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Something Wonderful

In June Nora Perry “So sweet, so sweet the roses in their blowing, So sweet the daffodils, so fair to see; So blithe and gay the humming-bird a going From flower to flower, a-hunting with the bee.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Octavia Opines

Wow! When I tracked down a Google Doodle marking what would have been science fiction author Octavia E. Butler’s 71st birthday today, June 22, I was gobsmacked. What an amazing writer! Born in Pasadena, California, in 1947, Butler knew early … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Harnessing Energy

“Our energy follows our attention, always.  “Our attention is less likely to be hijacked by emotional anesthetics and habituated thought patterns as we learn to direct it. As we make a practice of noticing where our attention is going, we … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Book Chats

“There is no Frigate like a Book To take us Lands away Nor any Coursers like a Page Of prancing Poetry – This Traverse may the poorest take Without oppress of Toll – How frugal is the Chariot That bears … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Good Purpose

While Uncle Remus is a controversial character in American literature today, at the time Teddy Roosevelt wrote this letter to his creator, he was highly popular. What springs out at me is Teddy’s belief about the role stories can play … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment