Here you’ll find some of the craft and writing tips that have been shared over my years of editing and teaching writing.
Saving Annabelle Reading (Audio)
Reading from Saving Annabelle at Hamline University, April 27, 2012.
READING
Come one, come all! I will be reading from my thesis novel, Saving Annabelle, this Friday. I'll be sharing the spotlight with three other graduating MFA students. April 27th 7:00 pm Hamline campus, GLC 100E
The Playlist
I was recently asked if I have a playlist for Saving Annabelle. I didn't then, but since I typically listen to the same music while writing, it was easy to throw together a playlist, and I've been writing/revising to it ever since. I've included some links to Youtube....
Looking at the Forest
Saving Annabelle has now been put through four drafts. Most of the chapters have been through way more than four drafts, but the book as a whole has been through four drafts. Yesterday I turned in that fourth draft manuscript to my thesis advisor, and let me tell you,...
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...
A Quieter Joy
My partner, Scott, is a photographer. Earlier this month we went on an artists’ retreat together. We rented a cabin in Colorado and spent part of each day making art. While I sat in the cabin typing away, he loaded up his gear and went in search of beauty. When we got...
I am Reading
Come one, come all! Literature and coffee! I am reading as part of the Cracked Walnut Series. Sunday evening, July 17th, 6:00 - 7:30, at the Dunn Bros at 4648 East Lake Street.
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.
