Category Archives: Uncategorized

« Have fun, and write what you love. When J.K. Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book, and my boss, Arthur A. Levine, bought the American rights, fantasy wasn’t “hot.” Children’s books weren’t “hot.” British books weren’t “hot.” And publishing people … Continue reading →

« Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer … Continue reading →

« It took me years to understand that words are often as important as experience, because words make experience last.” William Morris “The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.” “If … Continue reading →

The practice of any art has certain general requirements,quite regardless of whether we deal with the art of carpentry,medicine, or the art of love.” Erich Fromm Or the art of writing. At first blush, The Art of Loving may seem like an … Continue reading →

THREAD Trying not to think of you yet your face colors every contour of my mind. And every way I turn inside of a minute I collide with your laughter.I am wind, and you are chimes. —- Essex Hemphill 

When a friend asked me to share advice on revising I realized that I’ve learned quite a lot. In the hopes that some of my hard-earned lessons may be helpful if you find your work in need of revision — … Continue reading →

In honor of Women’s History Month, I’ve gathered a cornucopia of favorite quotes to inspire and energize us all: “Inspiration usually comes during work, not before it.”Madeleine L’Engle“In the middle of the world, make one positive step. In the center … Continue reading →

Words of wisdom to from the wonderful writer, Annie Dillard:“One of the few things I know about writing is this: Spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good … Continue reading →

« The longest road out is the shortest road home. » Irish Proverb Since St. Patrick’s Day is here, fresh as the green grass that is sprouting somewhere just beyond my door, I thought we’d all enjoy the warm glow of a … Continue reading →

“Fiction depends on its life for place.Fiction is properly at work in the here and now.” Eudora Welty “The work of a novelist is making fake biography.” Philip Roth “If you don’t know where you are, you don’t know who … Continue reading →