What do you want to be when you grow up?” Adults always asked this in sugar-coated tones. Like, at seven years old, how should I know? And why did they want to know? I had some ideas, four of them: elevator operator, tight rope walker, movie star, a famous writer. Alas, by the time I […]
In the five years I’ve lived in a senior living facility, I’ve forgotten how to cook. Not surprising since meals are provided, but sad because I loved cooking. Memories of food, its smells, tastes, texture, begin in my mother’s kitchen, a room as spacious as the bedrooms in our house on Summit View. The floor […]
The Story Circle Network 2020 Real Women Write anthology, Living on COVID Time, has been released. This is Volume 19 of our annual anthology of prose and poetry, all by members of Story Circle Network. The 52 authors of the 80 pieces in this collection were writing in response to an unprecedented global pandemic. More: Living […]
Sometimes it’s helpful to get a little inspiration from a master. Brenda Ueland, the author of If You Want to Write: A Book About Art, Independence and Spirit falls into that category. Carl Sanburg, for example, is quoted as saying that Ueland’s book was “the best book ever written on how to write.” I thought I would share a […]
“Her steps were tentative. Fiona wasn’t sure she could avoid the captain’s anger, if he showed up. However, the anticipation of viewing the sky with Jacob who always looked out for her was new emotional territory. She followed him.” (43 words) What’s wrong with that paragraph? Three of the four sentences are passive. Active voice is always preferred over passive, because we […]
