My school is now on spring break, and I won't see my students for a week. Some of my students are from Japan. What words do you use for tragedy? Shouldn't a writer know? And what do you say to someone who is so very far away from home and family? Why should anyone though …
Author: mapelba
I'm a writer, artist, teacher, mother, wife, daughter, friend, coffee addict... What else? A success, a failure, a mess, a fan, a hater of housework, a lover of dogs, a liberal, an obsessive, and a bunch of other things that probably would never occur to me. I reveal myself in more ways in my writings and art than in any list of adjectives. And whoever you are, I hope most of all that you are a reader.
Late and Fantastic
Today this message from a student appeared in my inbox. Am very sorry to disturb you on this beautiful wednesday .well just wanted to let you now that am really sorry , I ll be late because I overslept my dream was magic, I mean fantastic. This may well be my favorite excuse ever. And …
The Money in the Book
I read Nathan Bransford's blog. He's a literary agent, and what he writes about the publishing industry is useful and enlightening. Today, I read his post about Amanda Hocking, whose story I posted about a few days ago. His post taught me a few things about the reality of publishing and money, and it has …
Like I was saying…
I'm going to do Story-a-Day-May. Last year, I wrote a series of stories under the title The Fairy Tale Asylum. The working title this year--Graveyard Girls and The Enchanted Dead: Their Stories. We shall see where it goes. Why even do such a thing? I've done NaNoWriMo too, and these challenges beg the question-why? Why …
Something to think about…
but yet something that seems impossible. Like winning the lottery or finding the magic wardrobe, it happens to other people. And her follow-up blog post is a must read: My Blood Approves.
Stories upon Stories
I like stories that build on other stories. Lat year, for Story-a-Day-May I wrote a series of fairy tales I called The Fairy Tale Asylum. Not every fairy tale worked, but I liked the challenge and the series--and maybe one of them will be published (maybe not--see previous post--but let's be optimist!). This year another …
neurotic writer encouraged to new neurotic heights
About seven years ago, I submitted an essay to an anthology. The editor accepted it! My first acceptance! I told everyone. When I checked the publications website, my essay wasn't there. I sent the editor and email, and she apologize profusely. The postings were still in progress. Of course it would be there. She assured …
Continue reading neurotic writer encouraged to new neurotic heights
but it is a very long way to swim
I've been staring at a mountain of words. Maybe it is a pit of words. No. An ocean of words. Everyone says to just start. Pick up a story and start the rewrites, the editing, the polishing, the reconstructing. Yes. I know. Take baby steps. Take a deep breath. Dive in. I feel a bit …
The conversation goes like this…
My husband and I are in the car on the way to his mother's house. It is my husband's birthday. I'm driving. He calls his to tell her we are about half an hour away, and I hear mention apple pie. When he hangs up, I ask, "She made apple pie for your birthday?" "Yes," …
Surprise!
I saw who the email was from and sighed. How will this rejection be? I wonder and click on the message, face slightly turned away, wincing. We would love to have your story appear in our 13th issue, scheduled for publication in May 2011. It will be another week or so before I can send …
Marta Bacon 