Really excited about Why There Are Words' second anniversary event tonight, in hours. The reading series I founded two years ago became more than I imagined -- I mean almost from the start -- people have relayed to me that they've had a writer who's read there say it's the best lit event in the Bay Area. What really touches me is knowing that some people base their calendars around it. They turn out every month. Lately, a group -- of fine writers -- have been traveling down from Sacramento. This is way, way more than I ever expected. People do care about good stories, literature, good books. This is the take-away, and it's so heartening, so good. It makes all the work worthwhile.

A new year means new flash fiction classes. I've got two coming up.

An Introduction to Writing Flash Fiction
College of Marin, Kentfield
Feb 01, 2012 - Mar 14, 2012
1:10 pm - 3:00 pm Wednesdays
7 weeks, $79
You can register here.

How to Write Flash Fiction -- And Why You Want To
Book Passage
Corte Madera
March 10
10 am - 3:00 pm
$85
Book Passage (On-line registration soon.)

Charles Baxter says flash fiction stories “are between poetry and fiction, the story and the sketch, prophecy and reminiscence, the personal and the crowd.” Flash fiction is one of the most exciting story forms to read and write. The practice of writing these short-shorts causes you to flex your best writing muscle: precision. New outlets make this a growing market for publishing. Learn what makes these short-shorts different from other forms, and how writing them can improve your writing overall.