No Formula Could Produce These Stories
September 16, 2017
“A formula, Mr. Lee, is like a unicorn. There isn’t any such animal for me.” … More No Formula Could Produce These Stories
Category: Storytelling
Writing Through Interruption
April 28, 2017
I have just finished a spate of travel–five states in eight days–to Kansas, Wisconsin, Arizona, California, and Colorado. Settling down to write again has me thinking about writing routines, writing materials, and writing rituals, all of which require a re-start after interruption. For Emilie Loring, as for me, concentration was essential to composition; every competing … More Writing Through Interruption
You Have the Opportunity and You Must Use It
December 20, 2016
Meet Miss Esther Wood. Born in Blue Hill, Maine in 1905, Esther earned degrees from Colby College and Radcliffe, taught at public and private schools, taught history at the University of Maine, wrote four books and numerous magazine and newspaper articles, and was inducted to the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame. I took this photo … More You Have the Opportunity and You Must Use It
Guest post: “How to Begin Writing” by Emilie Loring
August 11, 2016
Right now, I am diving in deep to finish Emilie Loring’s biography. I spend eight to ten hours each day going through notes, thinking, sketching out the story path, scribbling ideas, writing, reading, and re-writing. Near me, on my bulletin board, are Emilie Loring quotes that guide and encourage me, by turns. I can’t tell you … More Guest post: “How to Begin Writing” by Emilie Loring
A Lucky, One-time Meeting at the Library
April 11, 2016
Sometimes, things just work out. I wanted to research the Baker family’s theater connections and planned a trip to the archives of my alma mater, USC. When I shared my purpose, archivist Claude Zachary suggested that I might also want to meet Armond Fields, a biographer and the donor of a collection of theater memorabilia. That … More A Lucky, One-time Meeting at the Library
Finding Time to Write: Interruption
January 28, 2016
It’s no accident that writers seek solitary retreats. … More Finding Time to Write: Interruption
Telling the Truth, or “When’s your book gonna be done?” – Part I
December 29, 2015
Spend an afternoon on social media, and you’ll learn ways to effectively communicate with people at different stages of life. Instead of asking the recent graduate, “What are you going to do with your life?” ask “Can I give you some money?” For the recently married, instead of “When are we going to see grandchildren?” … More Telling the Truth, or “When’s your book gonna be done?” – Part I
The Emilie Loring Collection 