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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…
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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…
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The Power Of Persistence
Everyone needs a cheerleader. My husband, Eric, listened to me for three days. “I don’t know what to write for my blog. I can’t believe I don’t have any ideas.” He offers suggestions which I contemplate, “Meh.” He listens to me plan our evening which revolves around getting this blog post done. I disappear for two hours and return with, “I tried, but I’ve got nothing.” He tells me it’s okay, I’m a great writer, and I’ll think of something. I tell him maybe I’ll have an idea next week. He nods. The next morning I ask if he minds if I disappear for a bit to work on a post.…
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Walk Confidently In The Direction Of Your Fear
There are two things I must do. One is write, and the other is run. The problem is there are days when I don’t feel like doing either. On days when I accomplish both, I feel complete. I feel like me. Yet, for as many miles as I’ve run each time I begin, I must fight the demons that tell me to stop. Every step I take fuels me to keep going until I reach a stride where my mind focuses, and running is enjoyable. The first two miles are always the toughest. It’s the same for writing. Getting started can be a battle. I’m working on my third novel,…
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Author School Visits
Ten years ago I devoured a book entitled BOUND by Donna Jo Napoli. I was a teacher at the time attending a writing conference where Ms. Napoli was the keynote speaker. The novel gripped me. I had to find out who this woman was that wrote so beautifully about a girl named Xing Xing.
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A Seven Day Journey
My life changed in seven days. I packed my bags and flew to Martha’s Vineyard. I was nervous. Meeting new people has always brought me a great deal of anxiety. I knocked on the front door of The Noepe Center for Literary Arts knowing I had arrived later than the rest of the writers. The woman who answered was also from Florida, a kindred spirit. Before I opened my suitcase to unpack, two more attendees invited me to dinner. I breathed. I knew it was going to be a special week.
