Posted in Creativity, Culture, Writing, tagged creative writing, modern poetry, Poetry on 30 Oct 2018| Leave a Comment »
We keep it out
shunned
banished
beyond the electric glare
past heavy curtains
behind double-glazed panes
We fear
its cold
its dark
its unspoken secrets
I say
open the drapes
shut the lights
put flame to a candle’s wick
and let it in
Invite the night inside
forget its chill
forgive its inky mien
offer it a seat
and pour a wee dram
Enjoy its quiet
the stillness of its nature
and listen closely
as it whispers
of secrets
eager to be known
Let it in
—————-
k
Posted in Writing, tagged creative writing, modern poetry on 07 Sep 2018| Leave a Comment »
————————
the day I learn
what I am truly worth
to you
is the day I learn
what you are truly worth
to me
————————
Posted in Creativity, Writing, tagged beta reader, content editing, creative writing, editing, self-editing on 23 Aug 2018| Leave a Comment »
Summer is not my most productive season for writing. There are too many distractions—gatherings, to-dos, house guests, falling into an overheated swoon—and this summer has had more than its normal share, what with the passing of companion animals, a switch from office-office to home-office, and most recently, a week of sitting bleary-eyed, head-achy, and miserable, waiting for the smoke from wildfires to clear.
Also, I was editing a book.
Alas, not one of mine.
I have the honor of being a beta-reader for a good friend. He’d completed his manuscript and was in need of a fresh set of eyes. Editing someone else’s work is always an opportunity to learn, for me. Whether it’s through analyzing a passage that works well or through hitting a bump in the prosaic road, reading another’s early draft is a great way both to learn new things and to reinforce lessons learned long ago. (more…)
Posted in Creativity, Writing, tagged creative writing, editing, historical fiction, short fiction, short story writing, The Book of Solomon, The Timberline Review, willamette writers on 16 Aug 2018| 2 Comments »
This week’s post brought surprise, rage, and embarrassment, all in a single envelope. Also enclosed: a copy of The Timberline Review #7, wherein my story, “The Book of Solomon,” is published.
So, exactly why did receiving a hardcopy of my published work engender such fire and furor?
Read on.
Posted in Writing, tagged book review, Bradbury, creative writing, Dandelion Wine on 02 Aug 2018| 1 Comment »
The first time I read Ray Bradbury’s 1957 classic, Dandelion Wine, it was an assignment for school. I was a little older than Doug Spaulding, the novel’s 12-year old protagonist at the time, and to be frank, I didn’t really care for the book at all.
That was a crisis for me, as Bradbury was one of the three novelists who I really, really enjoyed (along with Roger Zelazny and C.J. Cherryh). I’d gobbled up Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles and read every collection of his short stories that I could find. (more…)
Posted in Writing, tagged creative writing, pets on 12 Jul 2018| 3 Comments »
No writing was done this week because, Portia.
I know, I know, you’re sick of all these cat-related posts.
Well, tough.
Portia is a rescue from Seattle Area Feline Rescue (SAFR), a no-kill shelter down the street from me. My intention was to meet a little calico they had there, but when we arrived, there were so many great personalities among the cats available for adoption, we had to spend time with several. Portia—originally named “Porsche,” but there was no way that was going to stand; we quickly changed it to a properly Shakespearean homophone—was by far the one who clicked with us, and so she’s who we brought home.
And so, our 35-year streak of having only black or black/white cats remains intact.
She’s settling in. So are we.
Writing will recommence.
k
Posted in Creativity, Writing, tagged creative writing, historical fiction, marketing, short fiction on 21 Jun 2018| 2 Comments »
Hope. Damnable hope.
For most of my life, this has been my Achilles Heel. I simply cannot stop hoping. For things to turn around. For things to get better. For luck to change.
Four years ago (!!) I wrote “The Book of Solomon,” a short story, and started sending it out to markets. After a year an a half of submit-reject-rewrite-resubmit, I called it a day and put the story in the trunk.
Except I didn’t. (more…)
