The hardest part of writing is not the writing part. It isn’t even editing. The hardest part about writing is selling your work. I have had a modicum of success. I have three books with small presses, one which is now an audiobook. Some of my short stories have appeared in literary journals. A...
The Word of Mouth Poetry Series is hosting its annual Women’s Collective Poetry. The Art Bar is a cozy venue that you will love with great art, comfortable seating and you can grab a nosh and a drink. Teresa Costa is a fun and generous host. She works hard to make these readings eclectic...
I learned genealogical psychometry from my mother in-law. She could hold things and tell a story, not necessarily a psychic story and I’m not even sure they were the true stories, but she was a collector of family stories and there were quite a few of them. Her house was crammed with antiques and...
Yes, I am participating in National Novel Writing Month yet again. NaNoWriMo is an annual writing project where crazy writers who find lack of sleep invigorating attempt to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days from November 1 to November 30. There are no prizes, but a person is considered a winner if she...
I have been volunteering for about year as a facilitator for an organization called The College Guild. Their website explains “The College Guild provides non-traditional correspondence courses to prisoners across America.” The courses are free, non-credit courses and available to any prisoner no matter their circumstances. Every three weeks or so, I receive an...
I have been reading submissions for a literary journal for a few months now. The way it works is the editor receives a submission and sends it on to two readers. We each read the story individually, give it a thumbs up or thumbs down and can add some comments if we like. If...
At my age, my mother was retired. She was of a generation that was promised a pension and social security payments for life. It was a pretty sweet deal. Like so many of their generation, they dreamed of a life of ease in a warm climate. But I am not of that generation. I...
Last year, when my mother was hospitalized, it became clear that my father’s “forgetfulness” was no longer simple forgetfulness. He was suffering from dementia and he needed help. Also, he was blind in one eye and he was still driving. My family made it clear to my father that he could no longer drive...
I recently read a Facebook post from a former student and current friend (yes, you Matt.) After assessing his life, he wrote, “I joke less about running away to the west coast and becoming a beach side fry cook.” (I added the Venice Beach, Matt. If you were to be a fry cook anywhere,...
I will be conducting an hour long lecture about astrology. If you are interested in the subject this is place to be. I will talk a little about what astrology is–and is not–and answer your questions. Even if you don’t “believe” in astrology this an an interesting lecture. Bring your questions. Newburgh Free Library,...
