Six People in My (Virtual) Neighborhood

This fervid desire for the Web bespeaks a longing so intense that it can only be understood as spiritual. A longing indicates that something is missing in our lives. What is missing is the sound of the human voice. David Weinberger, The Cluetrain Manifesto A year ago, I used to get most of my information … Continue reading Six People in My (Virtual) Neighborhood

Every Writer Should Read Fool on the Hill

As for where the individual plot-threads came from: Stephen George is, pretty obviously, a semi-autobiographical character. The story of Luther and Blackjack comes from my childhood fascination with the “Dog” and “Cat” entries in the World Book Encyclopedia—World Book had these pictorial layouts showing all the different dog and cat breeds, and for some reason … Continue reading Every Writer Should Read Fool on the Hill

Feminista!’s List of 100 Best Works by Women Writers

I did so much better with the BBC top 100 list that included all those children’s books and titles by dead white men we were required to read in school. I’d only read 18 of the 100 best works by women. So, I’ve challenged myself to read all 100, including rereading the ones I’d read … Continue reading Feminista!’s List of 100 Best Works by Women Writers

Testing Smashwords with my Free eBook #wdc09

I had the pleasure of attending the first Writer's Digest Conference last weekend and had a blast. Great presenters; great insights; a fun time at the least pretentious poetry slam I've ever been part of that didn't involve teenagers. Work's been crazy the past couple of weeks with some exciting transition happening, but I do intend to … Continue reading Testing Smashwords with my Free eBook #wdc09

I am Jack’s scattered priorities and conflicting desires

A growing community of writers is participating in an online experiment in crowdsourcing fiction. It’s called #fridayflash, and it can be found via Twitter, Facebook, or by directly visiting participating writer’s blogs. A new #fridayflash happens every Friday, as figured locally, though some folks do post soon after midnight New Zealand time. The idea behind … Continue reading I am Jack’s scattered priorities and conflicting desires

Three Rules for the National Poetry Slam

Eleven years ago next month, in Austin, TX, I took one of the most life-changing thrill rides ever when I attended my first National Poetry Slam, as a member of the 1998 team representing the Nuyorican Poets Café that would go on to become their first (and still only) team to win the Championship. The … Continue reading Three Rules for the National Poetry Slam

6Qs: Maria Schneider, Editor Unleashed

"I don’t know if there’s any light at the end of the tunnel for publishers, but I think the future for writers is bright." --Maria Schneider, Editor Unleashed I had the pleasure of working with the Editor Unleashed herself, Maria Schneider, for about 18 months, back when we were both with Writer's Digest -- as Editor … Continue reading 6Qs: Maria Schneider, Editor Unleashed