I am sitting here tonight wondering what to write about. I can’t write about the trial since I can’t talk about any of it until it’s over, so what else is there to discuss? My life is somewhat on hold until we are finally dismissed from duty, and I have already reported on the few…
Tag: 20 minutes of writing a day
Another Delicious Cookie Recipe
I made my non-refined sugar version of these cookies today and I must say they are super-delicious. They are moist, spicy and filling since they have raisins and walnuts. The recipe calls to make them into two logs that are later sliced rather than putting them on the cookie sheet as individual cookies. I’d never…
Happy News Today
Today, one of my students who is now a junior at Boston University called out of the blue, told me he was on spring break, and made a request that brightened my heart: “Could I come over and write with you this week?” My answer: “Well, of course you can.” Shaun is a boy who…
Two Short Entries: 4 pm and 8:45 pm
I am sitting with my 6th grade student, Charlotte, and it’s time for a “quick write.” This is when we do free-writing for usually 10 minutes, but in my case it’s 6 today because I made Charlotte popcorn, and got her a glass of iced water while she started her quick-write. So, now she is…
Tricksters in Stories and a Few in My Life
I am sitting with one of my students, Aaron. He is taking an online class on mythic structure and today’s lesson is on the trickster archetype. According to Christopher Vogler’s book, The Writer’s Journey, a trickster “embodies the energies of mischief and desire for change.” Tom Sawyer is a trickster we all know. Who else…
Ojai and the Orange Grove Today
We are heading back to LA from Ojai. It is 7:25 pm and the traffic is moving at a good clip. We’re about an hour from home. The trees at the orange grove have oranges that are still ripening on the branches right alongside white blossoms, many of which are just about to bloom. There…
Lessons from John Steinbeck
I have just begun reading John Steinbeck’s Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters, a compilation of Steinbeck’s letters to his editor and friend, to whom he addressed a journal entry every day before writing his manuscript pages for his novel. East of Eden is one of the first books I read years ago…
Our Mexico Trip in Photos
I want very much to write about my trip to Mexico, but every time I try I find myself writing too much. I could write a 100 pages on this trip. So, in an effort to be succinct, I am going to combine pictures with commentary. Here is the house where we stayed by the…
1st Day Back in LA
I am sitting here with Cameron, my first student in 2013. She, a pretty brown-eyed blonde with hair halfway down her back, has been my writing student since she was in elementary school (she is now a sophomore in high school). We are both feeling sluggish after a long winter break and are using 15…
Redecorating
Rain is drumming on the tin roof of our Victorian. Lots of rain that promises to bring much-needed moisture to a drought-stricken area. So, the sound has relief contained in it. Gratitude accompanied by a long sigh. Ray and I have been moving furniture around. The red furniture that was in the “green” room is…
20 Minutes a Day 