I am heading off to Austin tomorrow morning to take part in the Story Circle Network Stories from the Heart writing conference which begins on Friday. I will also have the good fortune to see lots of family while I am in town since my relatives there have graciously agreed to meet for dinner on…
Author: lenleatherwood
I am a native Texan who has lived for the past 30 years in Southern California. I am a published author of both short memoir and fiction, a two-time Pushcart nominee, a nationally award-winning writing coach, an editor, as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. In addition, I am the mother of three grown daughters of whom I am extremely proud, a grandmother of four darling children and the wife of a man I still love after 44 years.
A Doggie Problem: Advice Appreciated
My dogs are here in the den with me. Frankie on the stool at my feet and Cordelia on the couch across the room. She was giving me a long look just a minute ago but now has tucked her head and gone to sleep. Tough life these two have. We are having a disturbing…
Great Writing Advice
I am prepping for my workshop at Story Circle Network’s Stories of the Heart writing conference in Austin this weekend and saw this article from American Scholar. I believe this is indeed some of the best writing advice I’ve read ever and I read a lot of writing advice for motivation and inspiration. Please let me know…
Luna’s Birthday Bash
Luna’s 3rd birthday party was held today in a park near her home in Highland Park. There was a bounce house, birthday cake, pizza and a pinata. These pictures capture much of the afternoon activities; however, I now realize that most of the photos center on the pinata. At least it’s possible to get a…
Repost: 5 Star Pineapple Recipes
I made two recipes today that both used canned pineapple. That doesn’t sound all that good, but both were exceptionally tasty. One was a rice salad and the other was a maple and molasses-sweetened pineapple upside-down cake. Here are the recipes. Let me know if you try these. I think you’ll like them. California Rice…
Waiting for Luna to Return
Friday night. Waiting for Rachael and Ariel to bring Luna back from their dinner together, “a date,” Rachael called it for the three of them. Luna spent the day with Grandma and Grandpa and is also spending the night because her mother Sarah has returned to work in her family medicine residency program and is…
Tired After a Good Day
I have been working all day today. I had students all morning and afternoon and then spent this evening communicating with students in my Story Circle Network online “Flash Fiction/Flash Memoir” class and also trading emails with potential teachers for the SCN Online Class program. I wrapped up the evening by finishing up a recommendation…
Repost: Great Quotes on Writing from Brenda Ueland
I have been reading several books in preparation for my presentation at Story Circle Network’s “Stories of the Heart” memoir conference coming up in Austin in a couple of weeks. One is If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland. This is considered by many to be one of the very best books on writing…
Happy 3rd Birthday, Sweet Luna
Today is my beloved granddaughter Luna’s 3rd birthday. We are officially celebrating on Sunday, but I wanted to reflect for a moment on the presence of this child in my life. Since Luna is my first grandchild, I certainly didn’t know what to expect. I thought, of course, that I would love her and have…
Visit in Salt Lake City
We are in Salt Lake City visiting my sister Leslie’s son Jim, his wife, Karri, and their kids, Eli and Sophie. We also hope to see Leslie’s daughter Kevin and her husband Scott while we are here for this short visit. We went for a hike today, then to the U of Utah Utes baseball…
20 Minutes a Day 