In the first fiction workshop I ever took, our instructor said to us, “Do you know what the difference between a really good fiction writer and you is? They write better sentences.” I knew even then that there was more of a difference between those writers and us, but his words have always stuck with…
Years ago I was listening to a well-respected editor speak at an Association of Writers & Writing Programs panel about the type of pieces he’s drawn to and turned off by in his submission pile. He expressed his dislike for works that sounded like they were written in response to writing prompts. Being the good…
I update my gift-giving list year-round and keep it on my phone so that when I get an idea for a special person, I can buy the thing or save a note. I’ve gathered some ideas for gifts for writers and readers in case you’ve got a book person on your list. But who are…
My creative writing students and I get along well. We don’t see eye-to-eye on every story element we discuss, and that’s good and normal. But there is a topic that always seems to elicit an argument with a student or two. Not a knock-down-drag-out (we save those for our fights over the use of exclamation…
Titling short stories and poems is an art. I was thinking about this when American Life in Poetry sent this lovely Barbara Crooker poem to my inbox. It’s full of beautiful imagery, moving metaphors, and effective line breaks. But what caught my attention and what I want to comment on is the title… And Now…