Books & Writing
-
Gut-wrenching Redecorating
It didn’t seem like it should have bothered me at all yet there I was forcing back tears, telling myself to breathe, feeling a rush of emotions erupt while my husband and David stood in the doorway watching. “What can we do? How can we help?” They knew the right things to say. I knew there was nothing they could do. Everything I was feeling ran deeper than a surface fix. Embarrassed, not knowing why I was reacting the way I was, I asked to be left alone. I needed to figure out why the simple act of rearranging furniture had caused me so much anxiety. My writing room has been…
-
The Sad Seedling
A tiny seed laid buried in darkness lonely, frightened, wondering what she’d become. All around her were roots of those who had already pushed through the soil, and she hoped she’d one day be just like them. Slowly she grew until finally, the seed burst through the darkness. Bright light shone down on beautiful fuschia and purple flowers that spread throughout a giant garden. The seedling was excited to discover which color was inside her. The other flowers welcomed her and watched over her teaching her the rules of the garden. They too waited patiently to see what she’d become. They explained that their garden was the most important and…
-
Hooking the Reader
One of the many reasons I love having writer friends is because they write posts like this that inspire me to get back to work revising my novels. I met Ann at a writing workshop on Martha’s Vinyard. We wrote, shopped and made delicious pizzas. Three years later our small group still keeps in touch, cheering each other on and offering encouraging words when the writing life gets difficult. Workshops and retreats are not only places to grow as a writer they’re also fertile ground to grow lasting friendships. I’m excited to share this post on hooking the reader. Introducing Ann Finkelstein! Hooking the Reader Thank you, Krista, for asking to me…
-
Writing From the Heart
I stood in front of the class and breathed. Would this work or would I fail? Could I take an exercise from a writing workshop and teach it to high school students? These past few weeks have been a whirlwind. I’ve taught and subbed for years but have never taught eleventh grade. My husband explained a phrase used in business, fail fast. Take risks, if you fail at least you tried, learn and move on. That’s been my motto these past few weeks as I’ve tried to keep thirty-four seventeen-year-olds engaged in class. Each time something didn’t work, I’d fail fast and try again. Sometimes what worked for one class didn’t…
-
In the Blink of an Eye
I’m happy to present another VOICES post! In the Blink of an Eye by Lisa Trank. Lisa and I met at a Highlights Foundation Workshop last year. Lisa writes poetry and young adult fiction. Her powerful words below capture the emotions a mother must face when her firstborn leaves for college. In the Blink of an Eye brought tears to mine. Introducing Lisa Trank! I began writing after many years of being a performing artist – an actress and singer – and am happy to be bringing those years of crafting characters and musical storytelling into my writing life. I’m a former recipient of a Rocky Mountain Women’s Institute Fellowship…
-
Stretching Outside My Comfort Zone
Stick me in a room full of kids or teens, and I’m comfortable. I’m in my comfort zone. I’ll listen, I’ll talk, laugh, feel as though I’m right where I belong. Ask me to go to a party or a gathering of adults, and it’s another story. I’ll probably say no, or I’ll go and hope that I can find someone who has the gift of gab. They’ll talk. I’ll listen. The past few months, I’ve decided to make some changes. I knew I needed to stretch outside my comfort zone. I was spending too much time at home in front of the keyboard; I had to encourage myself to…
