Have you ever been in an abandoned house? In 2001, This American Life told a fascinating story of a house whose family disappeared. And certainly, even if we don't venture inside, we've all seen houses that appear abandoned. Do you ever wonder what's inside? What happened? Why do people just leave so many things? Sometimes …
I chose some of my work to make prints, and I've posted them on Etsy. A few bunny Christmas cards are there too. I'd love for you to take a look, share, and get the word out. I'm selling one image that isn't something I drew. It is a photograph of the lake I grew …
I'm usually torn between being inspired and discouraged. When I was a kid, my mother believed in being honest. Perhaps her own mother didn't outright lie, but she certainly wasn't forthcoming. And after the divorce my mom did her best not to speak ill of my dad, but she did in a moment of anger …
Things are changing in our house. (Though life is change, so when are things not changing?) I'll be starting my second job (losing time I've spent writing and making things) and our teen has started college. Then there are the outside forces, the Delta variant and the changes to our climate and whatever-in-the-all-the-levels-of-hell our rage-filled, …
I've been making handmade books, and most of them have had simple covers with the design that happens to be on the paper. Now I want to make covers of collage or with objects. And I want to clear out a lot of items I've accumulated over the years by making things. They won't have …
Yesterday, I said I'd make something everyday. Today, I made a tiny book and did some writing. (It's impossible for me to share everyday, but I'll post when I can.) I worked on my story The Princess Detective. Here is a scene an early chapter of the manuscript. The Princess opened the door. “Jaffine!” Indeed, …
I'm reading Craft in the Real World by Matthew Salesses. It's a book I wish I'd had years ago. It's a book I needed to read. And it's a reminded that no matter how much you think you know or how openminded you think you are, there is always light to shine in the dark, …
I love the lake. The lake doesn't love me. Dad bought his house on the lake before I was born. The lake lives in my earliest memories. In childhood, dad would make me volcanoes in the beach sand. We had our best conversations on the dock. As a teen, I sat on the dock to …
I decided a while ago to self-publish a selection of short stories. They are almost ready. I'm working on a cover and pondering a release date. It is definitely scary to do. I tend to think of who will and who won't approve. I think about my own ability to promote it. There's a lot …
I'm going to steal a page a from Austin Kleon. Do you subscribe to his newsletter? Every week he sends readers a list of ten things he thinks are worth sharing. Since he also has a book called Steal Like an Artist, I'm following his advice. Here are ten things I think are worth sharing: …
Continue reading A Light on the in the Evening (Have a seat and stay a spell.)
Marta Pelrine-Bacon 