Long before recycling became popular—now mandatory in most counties in California—our single trash barrel for a family of four was seldom half-full for the weekly pickup. My mother repurposed every item. She bleached flour sacks and made dish towels. She sewed skirts from colorful floral chicken feed cloth bags when times were tough. During agriculture season when work was … [Read more...] about Recycling by Violet Carr Moore
Blog
Bio Overload by Camille DeFer Thompson
I just emailed a piece to a favorite blog site. They requested a bio and a head shot. The photo is not a problem. I use the same one for every submission. The bio, on the other hand, not so much. As any published writer knows, it’s important to get this piece right. It provides a window into who we are as individuals. It’s often necessary to tailor it for the submission as … [Read more...] about Bio Overload by Camille DeFer Thompson
Five Things You Need to Know About Your Artistic Legacy by Lani Longshore
1. You won't have one if you don't write. Just in case you thought the writing pixies would finish those notes you have in obscure files on your computer (or worse, only in your head), it doesn't work that way. Write the story today. 2. Marketing shapes meaning. Writers may loath shameless self-promotion, but we also loath losing control over our message. How many … [Read more...] about Five Things You Need to Know About Your Artistic Legacy by Lani Longshore
Is Your Character Grandma Material? by Lani Longshore
Someone asked me if I had grandchildren. Without thinking, I said, "Oh, no, thank goodness." I got some funny looks on that one, but it's very true that I am not grandma material. That got me thinking about the characters in my stories. Do I know whether they are grandparent material? Would they get down on the floor to play with a dog they just met? Have they never met a … [Read more...] about Is Your Character Grandma Material? by Lani Longshore
Tell Me A Story by Constance Hanstedt
We recently lost another terrific writer, Pat Conroy. The author of The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini, just to name two novels in his remarkable collection, delved into the complicated subjects of family and social relationships, connecting individuals to a larger historical narrative. He wrote, “The most powerful words in the English language are ‘Tell me a story’, … [Read more...] about Tell Me A Story by Constance Hanstedt
This Time of Year by Lani Longshore
I once lived where the vernal equinox meant more than spring break was around the corner. Flowers bloomed for the first time in months, trees burst into leaf, snow melted. No one complained too much about a loss in productivity because everyone had spring fever. Then I moved to California. It isn't that we don't have seasons, we do: rainy season and fire season (we also … [Read more...] about This Time of Year by Lani Longshore
San Francisco Writers Conference 2016 by Neva Hodges
In February I attended the San Francisco Writers Conference. I met other writers, presenters, editors, and agents. Everyone gave us their best advice and did it with kindness. This conference would not exist without the many volunteers who gave their time before, during, and after the conference. Their smiles and friendly attitude added to the appeal of the event. I … [Read more...] about San Francisco Writers Conference 2016 by Neva Hodges
Don’t Kill Your Darlings – Put Them in Foster Care by Dan Hobbs
There’s an old saying in the writing business: “Kill your darlings.” Some famous writer said it. I thought it was a charming insight into the importance of revising, rewriting and revising again, and cutting. Cuts are required, of course. Sacrifices must be made in the interest of the literary masterpiece flying across the screen on my laptop. I’m tough minded. I … [Read more...] about Don’t Kill Your Darlings – Put Them in Foster Care by Dan Hobbs
