Best advice from writing classes? College freshman might change their major. More than once. But over and over? Relax, it happens. And it’s not pretty. Finding yourself in college is expensive. Even if Major Changer milks it long enough they finish with a degree others call worthless, as in, “what were you thinking?” That’s […]
A PLACE CALLED MARRIAGE? PASS THE MAP HONEY
December 24, 2016 by
Only a wedding cartographer knows the road to a place called marriage. Alain de Botton wrote “Why You Will Marry the Wrong Person” for the NY Times. As a married man with two kids, what does Alain’s wife make of his prediction? If he’s the wrong person, is she the right one? These are […]
IF YOU WRITE A BLOG, WRITERS’ BLOCK NOT ALLOWED
December 8, 2016 by
So you think you can write a blog? Really? If you hang out with writers, you’ve heard of THE BLOCK, writers’ block. Sounds like this: “I sit there like a writer. I fill up the screen with words. None of it makes sense. Day after day I delete, then delete some more. I’m lost.” Lost, […]
AUTHOR FANHOOD NEEDED FOR BOOMERS
September 14, 2016 by
If you’re a grown up adult, show your author fanhood. You have a favorite athlete, movie star? A favorite politician and king. Why not a favorite author? Where’s your author fanhood? It’s not that big a deal, and it doesn’t make you a pretentious phony. Fanhood reaches all areas of life, why not authors? College […]
WRITING FROM THE HEART (WHAT TO LEAVE OUT)
February 10, 2016 by
Do you practice writing from the heart, or even plan to? Romance writers practice writing from the heart, even when their stories take a turn for the worst. Action writers do it, writing from the heart, just to remind you they’ve got one. Adventure writers fill pages with writing from the heart to make you […]
A LITERARY PANEL FOR WILLAMETTE WRITERS
February 3, 2016 by
Three literary journal editors address Willamette Writers in Portland. Nothing cramps a writer’s brain more than one question: What is the secret to getting published in a literary journal? If you’re looking for the gold standard of publication, literary journals shine bright. Get a piece of writing published there and you join the literary crowd. […]
DR. LIDIA YUKNAVITCH GOES TO CHURCH
December 5, 2015 by
Lidia Yuknavitch spoke to Willamette Writers at the Old Church. All three are resting well. New rule: All posts start with a theme song reflecting the topic at hand. This one starts on the second verse. New rule #2: Click the Lidia link. Here it is. Little Feat’s Willin’ via lyricsmode.com: “I’ve been kicked by […]
WILLIE VLAUTIN SAVES LIVES
November 7, 2015 by
Richmond Fontaine is the name of Willie Vlautin’s band. Like Creedence Clearwater Rivival was the name of John Fogerty’s band, and Foo Fighters is Dave Grohl’s band, Willie is a musician comfortable without his name in lights. There’s no me, me, me with some guys and it’s a relief. They let their work speak for […]
