This is my handout from the workshop I conducted at the Story Circle Network Writing Conference in Austin, Texas 2 weeks ago. Some helpful hints on overcoming writer’s block and establishing good habits, writing and otherwise. Benefits of Writing 20 Minutes a Day: Increased fluidity, developing voice, discovering who you are and how you think,…
Tag: timed writing
A Memory of My Brother, George
One early evening in summer, my older brother George and I headed off to the Little League baseball field where he was going to play a game and I was going to watch. He was eleven and I was eight. I was barefooted and wore shorts and a thin top; he had on his baseball…
Catnapper in the Neighborhood?
This morning at 6 am I looked out my front window on the porch and there I saw Charlie, our tabby cat, who disappeared six months ago. By the time I deposited Cordelia out back and ran back up to the front porch, Charlie was gone. Again. I was elated, however, since Charlie was not…
Gratitude
My older sister died recently from complications from dementia, which developed as a result of a severe concussion from a bike accident 25 years ago. I expect if she could talk to me now, she’d say that she’s grateful to have died when she did since her health over the past eight years had slowly…
Rachael’s 21st Birthday and The Story of Her Birth
Today is Rachael’s 21st birthday. In the spirit of tradition, I am going to chronicle on paper what I usually do in person with each of my three children on their birthdays, which is to recap my pregnancy with them and the events surrounding their births. Their birthdays, after all, are not only important days…
Chigger Relief, Jet Lag, Traffic and a Birthday
Thanks to everyone for the chigger help. I found Gold Bond Medicated Ointment in my medicine chest when I got home and it seems to be doing the trick at this point. Though I definitely will be investigating some of these other recommended treatments. More than anything now, I’m just TIRED. We got up this…
Heading back to LA with Chiggers
Today I got to spend time with my girl, Sarah, here in Corpus Christi. The U-haul is loaded and Ray and I are heading back to CA early tomorrow morning. I have a student with a senior thesis for his B.A., who is awaiting my return. His deadline is next Monday. It rained here today….
Prompt: Austin
Just a quick note to say I have made it to Austin. I am staying with my cousin Lee, his wife, Elaine, and their kids, Nicki and Sam. We ate a delicious dinner together at their home and spent the evening talking outside on their back patio. It’s very comfortable to be here with my…
Haiku Prompt: Healing Gifts
This was a good day An old friend was kind to me Gave back some keep-sakes Nothing of value Except to me and my kin A kind gift of love Good actions can heal Close wounds that have long since ached Shift coldness to warmth Tonight I sleep glad Knowing big-heartedness lives Feeling its embrace
Haiku Prompt: Texas
A storm approaches The air is thick with moisture Bugs cling to the screens Darkness slows down time Far off a train whistle sings The moon cast shadows Lamplight glows soft cream Peppermint tea wafts Cities thoughts far off We are now back home Ten miles from the Red River Here the air smells clean
20 Minutes a Day 