When I was in my MFA program, there were only two non-negotiable rules of the workshop. The first was that we should always begin a critique by saying something positive about the work under discussion. This was nothing new to me, and it made good sense. After all, it’s just as easy to find weakness in […]
So You Want to Join a Writing Group Part I: Not So Much with the Talking Read More »
Here’s a thing about me: I hate getting out of bed in the morning. When I was young, my mother warned me to always be careful about using the word “hate.” It was a powerful thing, she told me. It could hurt others’ feelings and eventually turn me into a bitter person. It couldn’t be
The Joys of a Good Morning’s Sleep Read More »
The last few years have been a good time for makers of shows and films about religious cults. Not too long ago, Netflix released a 1994 documentary called Children of God. It’s about an Australian New Age cult called The Family, a group that became famous in the 1990s due to revelations of child abuse, illegal
Living on the Fringe: The Mysterious Power of Cults Read More »
Last week, I flew across the country twice, and yes, it was a traumatic experience. Don’t get me wrong, I love flying. In fact, airplanes have been a lifelong passion for me. Starting with the first time my dad let me go up with one of his pilot friends, going through my years serving on board
Airline Travel Tips: Keeping an Eye Out for Villains, Heroes, and Boar Hunters Read More »
Not too long ago, I received a rejection email telling me one of my stories set in Alabama wasn’t “Southern enough in spirit.” Immediately, three thoughts occurred to me: One, I had no idea I needed to write like a Southerner—whatever that means—two, I wasn’t trying to write like a Southerner, and three, I’ve never
Southern in Spirit Read More »
Sometimes, when I’m tooling around town or driving to and from work, I enjoy wondering about the lives of my fellow drivers. Think about it: How many times have you pulled up behind someone at a traffic light and thought, ‘Gee, I wonder what that person is thinking? I wonder what they’re all about? What
That Sticker on the Bumper: Pithy Manifesto or Cry for Help? Read More »