I am sitting next to daughter Rachael Beaty, who is studying for her LSAT, which she will take next Saturday. I am impressed that she is so focused as she works through her questions. No chatting whatsoever; we are both attending to our respective work and that is exactly what Rachael clearly thinks we need…
Category: Reflections on Writing
Insight from Max Perkins and Hemingway
The famous editor Max Perkins wrote: I think, in truth, that the best writing of all is done long after the events it is concerned with, when they have been digested and reflected upon unconsciously, and the writer has completely realized them in himself. It is good journalistic writing that is done quickly while everything…
Dear Mean Voice Inside My Head
I didn’t realize for a long time that you were as active a character in my brain as you are. You were much better then at throwing in a subtle negative comment only occasionally. But now you’ve moved to a new level. You are relentless about tossing in your opinion, which is always counterproductive, whenever…
A Great Interview with Nobel Laureate, Toni Morrison
Below is the link to a wonderful and telling interview with Toni Morrison that my friend Chris Rice shared. I love Toni Morrison’s writing, especially Beloved. This interview gives a window into Morrison’s world and mind and is well worth reading. Let me know if you enjoy it. Thanks, Chris! http://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/1888/the-art-of-fiction-no-134-toni-morrison#.U9adHEJo74E.facebook
I Need Your Help Figuring Out My Writing Skills
Hi folks, I am in the process of figuring out how to make my writing more effective. If you are so inclined, please help me out by answering any or all of the following questions. You can either respond in the comment box or else send me a private email at lenleatherwood@gmail.com. Your answers can…
Baking as a Coping Mechanism
The world has been filled with troubles over the past several days and I have been posting recipes about honey-sweetened goodies I’ve been baking. Lest you think I am a complete out-to-lunch idiot who never reads the news or watches a television newscast, let me just say that baking is my stress-reliever. When I hear…
A Practice in Imitation
I am experimenting with a new way to get myself unstuck in reference to a novel I’ve been working on. I have imitated the beginning of a favorite novel of mine: Snow Falling on Cedars, but have substituted one of my main characters and have changed the lines to reflect my character, not Guterson’s. Also,…
My Writing Teacher Life…
I had students this afternoon, two of them, cousins, who are both sweet and well-mannered boys. One is going into 6th grade, the other is in college, and both need help with their writing. As it turns out, I have two more of their extended family I also see regularly, two older boys, one still…
Too Tired Tonight So Here’s a Great TED Talk Link Instead
Ray has just arrived home after a week in Texas. That’s good news. I have been up since 6 am. I think now that life is back to normal, I’ll head to bed. This is not going to be 20 minutes of writing today, but I am proud of myself that I’m even posting at…
A “Homey” Writing Workshop
I have recently decided to expand my teaching of writing to include small groups for adults (I teach primarily one-on-one and online); so I am offering a writing class in my home for the first time. This will span 5 weeks and will be for 1 1/2 hours every Wednesday from September 25 – October…
20 Minutes a Day 