My friend, Ami McKay, has written a lovely and compelling memoir. And like it says on the cover, it tells the story of cancer, love, and fate. Since I know Ami, I'm sure I read her narrative with a different eye than someone who has not gone along with her to copy bathroom graffiti (from …
This week I'm remembering the first novel I ever fell in love with. I read voraciously as a child, going through all the books in the children's section of the local library and reading during classes instead of paying attention to the teacher. But Watership Down was a book on my mother's bookshelf. I was …
I've thought of a dozen topics to write about only to run out of steam by the time I get to my computer. At least this summer I don't have chemo. My hair is growing back. Slowly. I hate short hair, but I'm glad it's coming back. I might have lymphedema. Might not. I've got …
I'm hoping to do something I've never been able to do--go to a writers' conference. Writers Unboxed will hold a conference in November in Salem. Salem! I've always wanted to go to Salem. Anyway, there is also a fundraiser to help a group of women get to the conference. If you can help and would …
Fran Lebowitz said the audience is important to the culture. I hadn't thought of an audience this way. I mean, yes, I've read a thousand times, "Know your audience." That rule I've failed to follow. Who is my audience? My demographic? I know more who it isn't more than I know who it is. But …
The other day I told someone I was a writer. She looked at me in surprise. "Oh, You're a Pandora's Box!" I laughed. Perhaps that true of writers in a way. I guess we'll see what happens when people open my book.
Today a new friend in my life puts her heart out into the world. Her heart should be lifted up and celebrated. Well, perhaps every heart should be. Forgive the potential sappiness. But sometimes sappiness is okay. We don't have to be all edges and armor every day of the week. (Anyway, I don't know …
Sending your work out into the world is an adventure--no matter the path. E-publishing is a widening path these days, but that doesn't make it easy. Friend and colleague, Niamh Clune, launched her book a few weeks back, and due to technical difficulties, has had to launch the book again. Many lessons learned, including--Amazon isn't …
A smart and talented woman I know wrote this book: The Coming of the Feminine Christ. (Which due to some technical difficulties, I've had to unlink to.) This is not a review; I haven't read the book yet. And this is not about your religion; I don't need to know (and let's not ruin a …
Are you a true fan of anything? Ever written fanfic? Worn a costume of a favorite character? Waited in line for hours to meet a singer, writer, actor you love? Or have you ever wanted to but didn't because you were afraid of the looks you'd get? In time for our housewarming party, I turned …
Marta Pelrine-Bacon 