The Northville Review has an all new, redesigned website. It looks very hip and modern. Added bonus for me: on that fancy new site you will find my latest story "Letters to My High School Boyfriends."I am so pleased to see this story online and sharing space with other great works by Michael Pagan and … Continue reading All New
writing
How to Read My Story: 5 Easy Steps
My contributor copies of Neon Issue #29 arrived recently. While I had already seen my story "Crash & Fly" online, there was something really amazing and gratifying about seeing my words in print. I pondered ways that I could share this excitement with you. My friend Laura makes a habit of photographing her cats Saucy … Continue reading How to Read My Story: 5 Easy Steps
Smothering
A friend of mine read a story and wrote me a long note with some super smart observations. This was the most intense analysis of my work I'd ever read. It was amazing and flattering and gave me lots to think about. One of the most interesting comments was about theme. She noted that many … Continue reading Smothering
What season are you?
When I was at the delicate age of twelve there was a summer class offered on beauty. I remember the class description being vague, at best. My mother was thrilled, she has always been one for layering beauty on oneself. I thought the class might be more about cultivating inner beauty and positive self image. … Continue reading What season are you?
So True, Dr. Seuss
"Well... that vent where I wentWas a sort of funnelThat led me down intoA frightful black tunnel.The traffic down thereWas a mess, I must say,With billions of birdsGoing all the wrong way.They bumped me with bikesAnd they banged me with dishes.I ran into ladders,Beds, bottles and fishes.I skidded on garbage.I fell in a horn.Troubles! I … Continue reading So True, Dr. Seuss
Five Things I Learned When Querying My First Book
As a writer new to the world of agents, submissions and publishing a novel there are many things you don't know. And even more things you don't know that you don't know. I'm at the beginning of querying my latest work RIDING THE BLIND and as I set out on this quest I'm reminded of … Continue reading Five Things I Learned When Querying My First Book
Secret Lives
I'm mildly obsessed with advice columns. There is something so awful/amazing about the questions people will ask under the guise of anonymity. I love stories. I wouldn't write them if I didn't. And there is no better place to find the snapshot of a well-developed character in the throes of a high conflict situation than … Continue reading Secret Lives
I would like to thank…
I recently received an email from an author friend who is being published Fall 2011. She was checking the names and spelling of those people that would appear in the acknowledgment section of her book. I was overwhelmed with this honor and deeply gratified to be on her list. It made me feel as though … Continue reading I would like to thank…
First Footing: How We Burn
My story "How We Burn" is up today over at Necessary Fiction. "First Footing" is January's theme for the Writer in Residence feature on the site. Contributors were invited to take the last line of an established story and use it as the jumping off point for a new work. My story is inspired by … Continue reading First Footing: How We Burn
For Shame
So, when I was young and starting out in my writing I fancied myself a poet. I filled notebooks with quasi-confessional prose poems (all very terrible), one of which started out with this line:"If it wasn't for shame, I'd have nothing to wear."I won't bore you with the rest of this overworked, tired metaphor about … Continue reading For Shame
