Writing in –isms
I recently wrote on a manuscript, “Is all this realism necessary? I feel like it’s too much information, too many details. What about writing it as impressionism or expressionism?” Scott loves Impressionism. He’s always talking about light. You know, Rembrandt...
The Shape of Things: Function
I have been thinking about the shape of things because, in addition to the Christmas ritual—which when dissected seems a rather bizarre combination of festivity and tedium—my birthday is at the end of December, and Scott gave me a 1930s Underwood portable typewriter....
The Shape of Things: Form
This time of year, there are presents to fit in boxes, wrapping paper to measure and cut, and finally the feat of deconstructing the Christmas tree. My ornaments are mostly glass, so they get carefully wrapped in tissue paper and placed in small boxes. Then I place...
Mysteries
The other night I had an unusual experience, a first of its kind for me. I went to a shamanic drum circle winter solstice blessing ritual. (I had my first drum lesson the night before.) My partner, Scott, a drummer, and I went with open minds, to get our freak on, to...On Workshops
I spent last week at a writers’ workshop. Hamline University runs a Summer Writers’ Workshop every year, and while students in the MFA program get first shot at registering, there are always some non-student participants. Hamline calls this an “intensive residential...I'm Alida
I help people express their gifts to the world.
I do not believe in formulas. I believe that the stories we are compelled to tell the world make demands on us, and it is our privilege to meet those demands in order to reach the most people in the most authentic and compelling way possible.
