Tag Archives: aspiring writers
Update: Napa Valley Writers’ Conference — July 26-31, 2015
My application to the Napa Valley Writers’ Conference for 2015 was accepted! If you want to learn about the application process, you can read about it here >>> I have been assigned to work with the poet, Mary Szybist, who is one of my … Continue reading
Coppola and the Apocalypse
My newest column in the St. Helena Star: “By the time the 1970s came to a close we had come to expect summer blockbuster movies — “Jaws,” “Star Wars,” “Halloween” — each one more exciting to young impressionable minds than … Continue reading
Napa Valley Writers’ Conference — July 26-31, 2015
I just applied to the Napa Valley Writers’ Conference for 2015. “Priority applications” are being accepted through 3/16/15. After which applicants will be added to a “rolling” admissions process, which means that late applications will be considered as they come in, and continue until all … Continue reading
Low Residency MFA Programs
I am in the middle of my second draft of my first novel. The first draft was relatively straight forward — I had a beginning a middle and an end. Aristotle would be proud! I had given a few sections … Continue reading
Emily Dickenson — One Of Our Greatest Poets
Emily Elizabeth Dickinson is often referred to as one of the most influential American Poets. She was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, on December 10, 1830 and died in 1886 from what was called Bright’s disease (an ailment of the kidneys now called nephritis). … Continue reading
How All Good Writing Keeps Us in Suspense
June 11th, 6:30 – 8:30pm at Hatt Hall in Napa River Inn Composing a Real Nail Biter: How All Good Writing Keeps Us in Suspense Join New York Times best-selling author Lisa Brackmann (Rock Paper Tiger) for a discussion on how … Continue reading
Writing Workshop In Positano – Sirenland 2014
Writers need and crave feedback. Writing is normally a solitary act — writers sit over their computers or pads of paper agonizing over word use and story content. When we get done with a first draft we normally set it … Continue reading
Submitting to Contests
Writers can spend a lot of time and money submitting their work. Often we submit to contests. Winning any contest can be a positive addition to your resume. Winning a prestigious contests can help catapult your career forward in profound … Continue reading
Raymond Carver – My Favorite Writer
People often ask me, “Who is your favorite writer?” And although I love many authors, their question is not hard for me to answer. Of course I like many different writers, such as the ones from my childhood: Tolkien, Hesse, … Continue reading
Billy Collins – Poet Extraordinaire
Most people know about Billy Collins. If you don’t, he is a poet. He’s been the U.S. Poet Laureate twice and has written over 14 collections of poems. Collins’ work has been described as ‘accessible,’ meaning that many people find his … Continue reading