This is the first Mother’s Day when I haven’t gotten to shop for gifts and a card to send to my mom, and when I haven’t been able to talk to her. She died on December 9. After years of dementia, the quality of her life had deteriorated so much that it was a blessing…
On discussion boards, I’ve noticed three different reactions to the pandemic among writers: -I am way too anxious (and/or too busy with children/grandchildren at home) to possibly get any writing done. -I’m writing, but I’m so distracted that it’s really tough. -I’m getting more writing done than usual because the rest of my life is…
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how fortunate I am to be an older working writer. Sure, I’ve suffered from a little cabin fever. Presentations and writing conferences have been put on hold, as has my singing group, volunteer work as a comprehensive sexuality educator, and trips to my favorite hangouts—the library and my neighborhood bookstore.…
Years ago, when I was in dance and working on choreography, I would arrive at the studio having a general idea of some things I wanted to try. But it was only in the act of moving that specific ideas, bits of movement, and whole phrases, often ones I hadn’t even contemplated, would emerge. On…
I’m in a writing group where we regularly give each other feedback on our novels-in-progress. In addition, we’ve been working our way through one of the classic books on craft, Writing Fiction by Janet Burroway. We’re now up to Chapter Four in the 10th edition, “The Flesh Made Word,” on indirect methods of character presentation.…
Sixteen years ago, my life changed when I became the totally besotted grandparent of Cameron, my first grandchild. I love this young man more than life can say. Along with the four grandchildren who’ve followed, he’s enriched my life in ways I could never have predicted. This isn’t exactly the sixteenth birthday year I’d hoped…
Okay. I’d planned to write an upbeat blog about practicing gratitude. I made up a whole list of things I was grateful for during this crazy time: The courageous medical personnel risking their lives to care for us My amazing husband who still holds my hand when we take our daily walks Thanks to technology,…
With millions of Americans stuck at home worried about how they’re going to pay the rent or buy food, it’s been tough to feel upbeat about much of anything. But last night, I experienced a genuine mood-elevator. We got a surprise Face Time call from our five year old grandson. After years of having stories…
Several years ago, when I was first dipping my toes into fiction, I took a children’s writing course in which I wrote a proposal for a young adult novel. The protagonist was a teenager coping with lots of family drama on the home front. Her mother was obsessed with her other daughter’s burgeoning acting career…
With three deaths in the family over the past few months, not to mention holiday visits with family, my regular writing schedule has unquestionably taken a hit. There have been days and even weeks of interruptions. Each time, as I’ve gotten back to my writing, I’ve noticed a definite pattern: Paralyzing fear about starting back…