Ant colonies, their busy carpenters unphased by clear glass walls at a museum, allow their construction to be my distraction just before I open your brief note. It burrows into my heart as if my ant-inspired vision had been watching as you wrote it.
Below is a series of questions I’ve altered to be answered for this holiday season: When did you begin thinking about what you’d write for the holiday season? Actually, I never stop thinking about writing for the holidays. It’s that special time when both gift-giving and gift-receiving take place. Stories that generate warm feelings about... Read More
Although I wanted to write, I didn’t know where to begin because I hadn’t chosen a topic. That’s when I saw David, a thoughtful young man I regard as a friend. “Please suggest a topic for me to write about,” I requested. Minutes later, he shared an idea that fascinated me. That’s why I wrote... Read More
Because I knew how much her novel meant to Faye Solomon Kushner, I was honored when she agreed to allow me to comment about it. Writing with such candor and courage, she revealed what her siblings never wanted written about life with their Kentucky coal-miner’s family. To say her book is stunning is an understatement.... Read More
Imagine that you were given a free ticket to travel to the one place you’d always wanted to see. All expenses would be paid. The only stipulation was this: you had to write a magazine article about that place when you returned. If that opportunity appeals to your imagination, you probably have some place in... Read More
Because she and I taught together at the Community College in rooms almost across from each other, we shared many thoughts about writers we appreciated as well as issues regarding what she and I wrote. Although Ms. Eichman-Dorr and I discussed writing a book together, we never had a chance to bring that idea to... Read More
Chances are you’ve known a writer who you appreciate, a writer who, if you could, you’d like to ask about their writing. Fortunately, I have a friend who is a published poet, a fine writer who teaches doctoral students in creative writing at the Union Institute and University. For too brief a time, Dr. Carol... Read More
If you’re someone who won’t try to write a poem when you feel like you want to, you’re not alone. Among the many reasons that block you from becoming even a novice poet, the most common is that you don’t know how to begin. You’re frustrated because, although you’ve mentally gathered all your thoughts and... Read More
Consider this: if you know what you want to write regarding a particular feeling, thought, or event, how do you put it on paper to make it most clear and meaningful? Of course, the words you choose are critical; you must choose them carefully. But the question remains: how do you best use them to... Read More
Before you begin writing, you may want to focus on your list of ideas. Ideas you may have decided are excellent topics. In fact, some of those ideas may serve as shorthand reminders regarding incidents you’re certain are worth developing into a short story or a novel. As excited as you are about beginning, you’ve... Read More
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