Late last year I was introduced to the work of Sol LeWitt, an American artist who, when hit with the equivalent of writer’s block, decided to reduce art to its essentials, “to recreate art, to start from square one,” he said, beginning literally with squares and cubes. He put his ideas for art into words, …
Youngest: That was built a long time ago, like the late 1900s.
I find myself faced with a dilemma. Should an author should use a pen name when crossing genres?
I was recently motivated to dust off an essay that I wrote about six years ago.
A few posts ago I dared to give some advice on short story writing and I am here to give a bit more. This is not about technique or marketing but back to the very basics that if you want to be a famous short story writer you have to write short stories.
Elder child: “Mommy, things at the Lego store are much more expensive this year than last year.” The joys of watching children shop now that they are spending their own money!
The letter lay on the worn wooden table. A single sheet of white paper, crisp and smooth except for the folds that allowed it to envelope a wad of US dollar notes. The notes gave off a rich scent that contrasted sharply with the dimly lit and sparsely furnished room.
As I turn on to my street last night. Radio: “Silent night, holy night, … round yon virgin.” Younger pipes up: “Mommy, what’s a virgin.” Mommy sings: “Sleep in heavenly peace.” Older: “Don’t ask me, ask Mommy.” Mommy bites the bullet: “A virgin is someone who has never had sex.” Younger jumps out the car …
“If we pool our money we can buy a full popcorn machine and set it up down in the basement.” Siblings that get along? Not always a good thing.
The events in Connecticut last week made me just want to hold my kids close and reminded me of this little note I jotted down several years ago. I held him in my arms and I knew that I would never again be the person I was just seconds before.