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Knowing this photo is of Eudora Welty is completely unnecessary, extraneous to coming up with a good story. But it's delicious knowing. And maybe knowing steers your story in a whole different direction. Try it! (See other "silly" photos of writers here, including another fav of mine, Nabokov on the hunt.) 
I've been away on writing retreat, working on my manuscript of interconnected stories. Drawing ever closer to calling it finished. I've just sent it off to two trusted readers, and as the saying goes, await their reply. (A phrase that also resonates for me as it's the title of Dan Chaon's wonderful novel.)
Meanwhile, my book review of Garrett Socol's Gathered Here Together is available for your reading pleasure at Prick of the Spindle lit journal. Coming up: my first newsletter, the opening of North Bay Writers Groups workshops, and two readings in the East Bay. Stay tuned! The March 2 Why There Are Words Reading (a week ago already!) at the AWP conference in Chicago was a wonderful event. The readers, all with Chicago roots, were Catherine Brady, Goldie Goldbloom, Billy Lombardo, and Peter Orner.
As one attendee wrote on Facebook: Nicely done. Very entertaining (and funny) selection of readings. After spending Thursday in "How-to" and informational sessions, it was very inspiring to hear literature read by authors in their own voices, and to be reminded of why I'm here, why I read, why I write. I'm often asked whether I think an MFA is worth getting, and specifically whether a particular student ought to get his or hers. Robin Black's got a well-written analysis, probably one of the best considered and articulated I've heard in a while here at Beyond the Margins.
Speaking of Beyond the Margins, this is a wonderful resource for writers. If you're in one of my workshops, you already know this, but if not, do check it out. I was pleased to have been nominated for their Above and Beyond 2012 Award, really honored and thrilled to be in the company of the other nominees. I've been taking on a little editing and private coaching again -- very little, so as to reserve time for my own creative work.
I do love the work, helping an author achieve his or her highest intention for a piece of writing. I'm inspired all the while continuing to fine-hone my "editor's eye." Putting together a bare-bones page -- here -- I've been reminded of how much really wonderful work I've had the pleasure of helping along. Excited to learn my story IOUs has been accepted for publication in The Los Angeles Review. This is print, coming out sometime in early 2012.
In other news, I've been away on writing retreat with four other writing comrades. We spent the days writing; evenings cooking/eating delicious foods and reading to one another our work, discussing writing & craft issues and books, playlists, etc and so on. Way too short a week+. My novel-told-in-stories manuscript is shaping up and currently pleasing me. |
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