Writers Conference Workshops
Most writers have heard the harrowing tales of MFA workshop: Tales of professors lighting manuscripts on fire, calling the writing worthy of Danielle Steele, or worse using words like “hate” … Continue reading
What Are Group Dynamics?
dy·nam·ic [dahy-nam-ik] adjective Also, dy·nam·i·cal. 1.pertaining to or characterized by energy or effective action; vigorously active or forceful; energetic: the dynamic president of the firm. 2.Physics. a.of or pertaining to … Continue reading
Revelations and Reveals
It was beginning to feel like they were really a team, with Erik bringing his own ideas and talent to the equation. Vincent trusted and seemed to really appreciate him, … Continue reading
Revising, revising, revising.
Where does it end? That is a tougher question than where does revision begin. Years ago, I met a woman at a novel writers workshop who wrote the most eloquent prose. … Continue reading
Decisions, Books, Neighbors & Horoscopes
“I’m not sure if I ever see myself having kids,” I said. I was sitting on a couch and my leg was crossed over the other under my pale yellow … Continue reading
The Writing Process Bus Blog Tour
Go Greyhound and Leave the Driving to Us. I used to take the Greyhound Bus every summer from Corpus Christi to Uvalde, Texas to visit my relatives. I loved the … Continue reading
Toilet Decor, Wow Kisses, Juggling Pins & Falls City Beer
Kicking aside the open cat food cans at his feet, Harold made his way towards the derelict porch. As he moved, he noticed a set of toilets, with cushions on … Continue reading
Novel, Novel, Quite Contrary…
For months, I’ve been posting excerpts of my Ivy Street Salon writing workshop student’s pieces (The Revisionistas). Together we work on short stories, novels, personal essays and various and sundry … Continue reading
Drag Queens, Port Wine Stains & Not-So-Under Undercover Cops
I looked at Miss Gilpin’s lovely brown hair and resisted the urge to stroke the perfect flip grazing her shoulders, to bury my head on her shoulder and finger the … Continue reading
Caprese, Footballs, Guilt & Telephone Calls
When I woke up at Joel’s apartment, there was only a table lamp throwing a puddle of low golden light near the sofa I was on. I knew instantly where … Continue reading
Embryos, TeePees & Arcueil
My daughter was one of them. When she took root inside me, she wasn’t alone. Another one dug in too. They were my blastocysts, beautiful, multi-cellular, and cultivated by the … Continue reading
Bees, Terrorists and Ballet
After work I detoured to a hardware store and bought the type of spray they never sell at health food stores. Two cans, tall, and heavy, like restaurant pepper mills. … Continue reading
Portraitist, Positivity, Pince Nez & Spies
I read the name, Leee Black Childers, and looked at the picture of an old man, blurred and fleshy with heavily tattooed crossed arms sticking out of a simple cotton … Continue reading
Wires, Love, Helen & Mouths
There was a time, before Lawrence was born, before the company and its car, when Anthony sat up front and I had the whole back seat to myself. Back then … Continue reading
High-Fives, One-Night Stands & L’eggs Panty Hose
~Excerpt from The Level and The Square, a novel-in-progress by Ruth Roberts: She looked for his large ‘fro, like a dark thundercloud over his head, taller by half a foot … Continue reading
Falling From Grace, Ice House, & Inner Voice
Later that day Erik moved his belongings downstairs into Le Placard with the help of two new acquaintances, Augustin and Henry. His cot fit well enough, and his steamer trunk. … Continue reading
What’s Not Fun?
She sat in her slip and curlers on a low cushioned seat and three repeated versions of her leaned into the three -way mirror of her vanity. Guided by an … Continue reading
Aliens, Love & Fire
I dump some charcoal into the belly of the Weber grill and ignore the briquettes tumbling onto the grass. I douse the pile with lighter fluid and for a moment … Continue reading
Dragonflies, Dead Pawn, Ovum & Mayhem
A solo flute began a delicate and languid theme, floating like the warmed scent of rose and carnation on the summer air beneath a cerulean cloudless sky. Up and down … Continue reading
Mumps, Challah, Slavery & Modesty Skirts
My brother and I were dressed up as cowboys, as in the song The Streets of Laredo. We had matching red bandanas that covered our … Continue reading
Parsons, Philanderers & Dismemberment
“Do not bring me crap cases. The only matters worth our while are those that have damages in the millions.” He pulled the oxygen mask over his mouth and sucked … Continue reading
Hippies, Little Debbie & Bratwurst
“When someone pointed her out to him the first day of school, he knew he had seen her in the summer workshops, the encounter groups, the team building, the intercultural … Continue reading
Chinese New Year Excerpts
This week’s Revisionistas’ excerpts for your entertainment: After switching license plates, Dalores settled in behind the steering wheel sitting on Volumes Three, Twelve, Seventeen and Twenty of the Book of … Continue reading
