I’m sure by this point people are thinking, “Would she quit posting today, already?” Well, the answer is no. I will not. I’ve lots of lost time to make up for and it looks like next week is going to be a total bust as I will be in Topeka, Kansas all week (don’t ask!). Okay, so just a few more things for today: … Read More

Squaw Valley #5: the people

I think what makes any experience all that much better is the people you share it with. And to come into a group of strangers, spend the week with them (and if you are in workshop with them, this means 18 hours), and get to know them and feel that you share something, is really quite special. This past week I met some remarkable … Read More Squaw Valley #5: the people

Squaw Valley #4: the one-on-one

Part of the experience at Squaw is that each participant is alloted a one-on-one session (minimum of 20 minutes) with a staff member (a writer, an editor, or an agent). Last year I met with Andrew Tonkovich of the Santa Monica Review for an hour. He was absolutely great. Helpful, intelligent, generous with his time, and full of great suggestions for improvement. I revised … Read More Squaw Valley #4: the one-on-one

Squaw Valley #3: readings, panels, etc.

This is one helluva jam packed week. Last year, I went to EVERYthing and by the end of the week was ready to lie in bed and watch sitcoms. This time around I took a more moderate approach (thanks to Steph for urging me to get out and into the woods more this time around. Everyone needs a partner in crime and she was … Read More Squaw Valley #3: readings, panels, etc.

Squaw Valley #2: the workshop

The daily workshop aspect of Squaw Valley Community of Writers is intense (to the left is a photo from the deck of the building where my daily workshop was held). Here’s how it works: each day, for six days, from 9am-12pm, you meet with your group (each group has 12 people, sometimes one or two more or less, but more often than not, exactly … Read More Squaw Valley #2: the workshop

Squaw Valley #1: the setting

There’s a lot I have to say about last week (can it possibly be last week already? In the past? I want to keep feeling this way), but I don’t feel like I can put it all in one post. So, I will start out with the setting and some photos I took before my batteries died (and I was too busy to get … Read More Squaw Valley #1: the setting

It’s no secret that Smokelong Quarterly is one of my favorite ezines. Once a year, Dave Clapper and his staff pulls all of the flashes into one big print annual. Here’s the info about the annual and how to purchase it: SmokeLong Annual 2004-2005 is now available for sale. It’s currently available at cost (well, at CafePress’s cost), which is $15.04. We may raise … Read More

I’m feeling seriously out of touch with what is going on with my friends and I’ve only been gone for a week. Being without a computer and email was nice, to be honest, but still I am treading water to catch up. Anyway, here’s some cool stuff that’s going on: The fabulous Ellen Meister has just updated her PM page with a quote on … Read More

on lost comments

As I stated earlier, some of the comments people are leaving are getting lost in the shuffle between blogger and haloscan comments (argh! I wish I knew more about CSS so that I could figure this out quickly) and so I’m trying to figure out how to change my template so this doesn’t happen. I’m incapable of doing so today for various and sundry … Read More on lost comments

After an amazing week at the Squaw Valley Community of Writers Workshop in the Sierra Nevada mountains, I’m home in steamy New Hampshire. It is hot here. Very hot. Fucking hot. And damp. Humid. Moist. Sultry. Think Louisiana swamp in July and you might start to understand the weather here. Still, it is nice to be home. The flight(s) was uneventful, except that I … Read More

One more thing… here is a lily from my garden.

Out of Office

Okay. I’m out of here from now until Sunday, August 14th. I’m on my way to the Squaw Valley Community of Writers Workshop and I couldn’t be happier. This will be my second year attending and if this year is anything like last year I will return ready to write my ass off (I will also be ready to kiss my husband, hug my … Read More Out of Office