2015-07-082021-10-29

Regarding Feedback: Why you don’t have to have thick skin.

Critique, On writing

Yesterday a writer friend asked my advice on an awkward situation he’d gotten into where he’d given another writer feedback that was not well received. Shocked by the negative emotional ... Read more

2015-07-072021-10-29

A defense of prompts, an opportunity, and a goldfish

On writing, Prompts

The other day I may have bought a few books at the Half-Priced Books 50% off sale. While the checker was scanning each book (took a while), one book (John ... Read more

2015-06-272021-10-29

Get out of your comfort zone

A Room Of Your Own, On writing, Yoga

This is easier said than done, yet this is the message I’m hearing loud and clear. A message without pretense or subtlety. Let me explain what I mean, and also ... Read more

2015-06-242021-10-29

A celebration of the pause.

A Room Of Your Own, Be here now., Goals, On writing

I can be an intensely goal-oriented person, and mostly this has served me well. I wrote a semi-autobiographical novella in part about resiliency, or at least that was the seed. ... Read more

2015-05-202021-10-29

The importance of place.

On writing

I’m four pages in to chapter two of my new book, a book I’ve outlined, made character sketches for, and even bought markers and big pieces of white paper to ... Read more

2015-05-122021-10-29

Wake before the sun? Are you kidding me?

A Room Of Your Own, On writing

At the moment, I am flying high and nothing is wrong in the universe. Why? Because it’s 5:30 in the morning, I haven’t even started my work day yet, and ... Read more

2015-01-142021-10-29

Zen Accident

A Room Of Your Own, Be here now., On writing

I began writing poetry at fourteen or fifteen, some terrible lost and vulnerable age. I wrote reams of poems about how profoundly I didn’t understand anything, using juxtaposed words like ... Read more

2015-01-012021-10-29

A New Year! Some reflections, plus what I read in 2014.

Book Reviews!

This past year I submitted my portfolio for National Board Certification, got married, and taught summer school for the first time. Somehow, I still managed to read WAY more books ... Read more

2014-12-292021-10-29

Understanding Comics Review

On writing

Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud I picked this book up so that I might feel better equipped to teach a graphic novel this spring. In terms of ... Read more

2014-10-262021-10-29

Inherent Vice Review

Book Reviews!

Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon Chris and I read this one together. We came across a preview for the movie coming out in December and, impressed by the cast and ... Read more