Here is Michael with my daughter Rachael at their graduation from Beverly Hills High School. My beloved student Michael Bina is graduating from NYU right now and I want to just say congratulations to a boy who has made me proud as his writing teacher. Michael came to me as a 7th grader. In our…
Tag: timed writing
Sarah’s Birth Story or How Not to Have a Baby at Home…
Today is my oldest girl’s 30th birthday and in the spirit of tradition, it’s time for Sarah’s birth story. I was 29 when Sarah was born, which means that I was in the height of our antique dealing life, jumping on and off the back of our pickup as we loaded for Canton Trades Days,…
Prompt: Timeline of a Too-Full Day
I am now home after one of those packed-to-the-brim days. I am almost embarrassed to admit how full this day was since it so accurately depicts my inability to say no, as well as my tendency towards seat-of-my-pants preparation. But in the spirit of candor, here goes: 5:30 am – My alarm goes off 5:45…
Prompt: Editing Hell
I wonder if I’ll ever be a better planner? I am starting to think not. After all, are good planners working with their students from morning until night on editing for their Writing Celebration? I suspect not. Alas. This is exactly what I’ve been doing. I still have more editing to do, plus cookies to…
Prompt: My Annual “Writing Celebration”
Saturday is big My students will read their work While parents listen We are all scrambling To get all stories complete And finish essays It is nine-thirty I have been working all day In preparation This event is fun The kids get to show off work And we all eat well The stories are good…
Babysitting BIG Dogs: A Small Miracle
I was bitten by a big dog when I was 24 when I visited a friend who wanted to show me his great dane’s pups. Mama Dane apparently had been mistreated at sometime in her life by someone who looked like me and the minute she saw me, she flew over a coffee table and…
Flash Fiction Prompt: The Word “Stain”
“I’m not certain what to say,” Marion Fitzgerald stammered, looking down at the bloodstain on the cushion of her white designer couch. I truly don’t know how that got there.” Joe Francis, a LA homicide detective stared at the middle-aged blonde and said in a tired voice, “Mrs. Fitzgerald, where were you last night at…
Prompt: The Word “Transparency”
Transparency is defined as “the condition of being transparent,” which means being able to see through something or someone. Many spiritual leaders say that transparency is part of being enlightened. What you see is what is there, no more, no less. The government speaks of transparency in governing, meaning no secrets, and yet knowing that…
Writing Prompt: Mundane Occurrences.
Every morning I wake up and open the back door for my dog, Cordelia. Then I go into the kitchen, fill her bowl up with food and get her fresh water. Then I check to see if my cat William has fresh food and water, and if not, then I fill those up, too. After…
Heading Back On the Road
Getting the creative juices flowing again… I re-began work on my novel today; rewrote a section and by doing, re-introduced myself to characters who have been waiting for me to return. I am reminded that writing novels is fun and satisfying and surprising. I write to see what happens. As long as I just enjoy…
20 Minutes a Day 