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Preparing a syllabus and course pack for my upcoming Fiction Workshop at Interlochen, I decided to read John Gardner’s apparently sacred text: The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young [...]

Packing, moving, literally hiking myself off Fork Mountain by backpacking boxes, books, and bedding down the mountain (over ice, snow, etc.) Going to get out of town for New Year’s Eve and [...]

Take the wild blue light of the moon. Toss it into a clear night sky. Shake vigorously until the stars awaken. Hear the wind howl down the wall of the Black Mountains and lean into [...]

There’s nothing like going running to gain perspective. When the big snowstorm dumped 24” on Fork Mountain 12 days ago, I sought lower ground in Celo, where my parents live. Although the ground [...]

[I am certain the past two weeks are the longest hiatus in the history of this Writing Life Blog. I am pleased to report that my MacBook Pro survived minor surgery and safely resides upon my desk [...]

Proof that although my laptop survived minor surgery in Memphis on Wednesday and FedEx attempted delivery on Thursday, it is still not in my possession: Proof that, although FedEx is nearly [...]

[Dear Readers: My computer is being repaired so posts might be a little spotty for the next week…] Some days I think Hanshi is the best teacher I have ever crossed paths with. Other days, I [...]

Dear Friend, Thank you for braving the unseasonably cold temperatures, black ice, and wind advisory to deliver chocolate, edamame, and your smiling self to my door. Sixteen hours of rain followed [...]

The word “community” comes from Old French comunete or, “reinforced by its source.” An Old English word for community was gemænscipe, meaning “fellowship, union, common ownership.” [...]

Dear Andrew Bird fans, Here is proof that I am not the only person profoundly obsessed with the musical evolution of Mr. Bird. While this article is nicely done, I will say it blurs over too many [...]