This post is the first in an occasional series of recommendations for writing tools I’ve found useful. This first installment is for writers who are considering book-length storytelling, in prose or verse. It’s a group of tools I learned from writer, editor, and book coach Julie Artz. As of today, I’m completing a seven-week Intensive […]
Revising a Book-Length Story Read More »
In this week, seven years ago, I posted an entry called Happiness: Finding the Way. Yesterday, I wrote in an offering from Write Around the World for Amherst Writers & Artists. There are sessions going on until May 31. I was given a writing prompt that caused me to revisit my earlier blog post. The
Happiness Revisited Read More »
Several years ago, I read one of my poems, “I’m Still Your Doctor,” at the World AIDS Day memorial service, I was surprised that my voice broke as I spoke. I felt ambushed by my feelings. But that’s the nature of grief, especially for healthcare workers. We tend to stuff grief down instead of
Creativity can come from the collision of unrelated things. A poem can be a container to hold these collisions. Sometimes, the combination of ideas is rational. When I wrote “Window to the Bay,” I combined dead vegetable matter and a patient’s necrotic toe into the same poem. The rational mind can see that death connects these
The Creative Process Read More »
A Summary of the Month’s Posts on Micro-Transformations I read through all of my posts backward, from Z back to A. My thoughts are well represented. I have transformed myself and continue to transform myself by taking small steps. And I’ve defined what I have to offer to help others to do the same,
Reflections on the Challenge Read More »
My schedule is full of Zoom meetings. Each has its own flavor. None is to be dreaded. Three years ago, when I last did the A to Z Challenge, I was just getting used to Zoom. It felt like a poor substitute for in-person meetings. Many people still feel that way, but I no
Z is for Zoom Meetings Read More »
The first class I took in the online Narrative Medicine program at Columbia University was called “Close Readings.” It was recommended as the first class because it was designed by the founder of the program, Dr. Rita Charon. We interacted closely with works of art: classic short pieces of literature, a Beatles song, and
Y is for Your Face Read More »
A famous Christian scripture (Matthew 6:21) says, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” In context, this means one should set aside worldly treasures for spiritual ones. But in a sort of reverse engineering, I have often thought that my treasure lay where my heart was. To find my treasure, I
Write Around the World is an annual fundraiser for Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA). The proceeds fund AWA’s social justice programs. Every May, trained writing facilitators volunteer to offer workshops. The goal is to reach those who may not be familiar with AWA’s supportive writing method. On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 10 a.m.
Vipassana is a Pali word that translates as insight or mindfulness. For almost a year, I have been using an app on my phone and desktop to ground my day with a 10-minute guided vipassana meditation. If it interests you, you can sign up for a 7-day free trial. Or you can contact me
V Is for Vipassana Read More »
