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The Glory of 3,000 Words: The Fruits of a Disciplined Writing Practice
. . . ultimately, of course, what you do or do not do to and for your writing, you do to and for yourself. — Laraine Herring Most people who know me wouldn’t say that I’m an undisciplined person. I do...
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Writing Is Not Lonely, But Avoiding It Is
I first posted these words almost exactly six months ago, when I was just settling into what I now think of as my daily writing practice. It’s amazing how true the words still ring because despite the...
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Finding the Structure of My Narrative, Thanks to Rebecca Skloot
On the top of my desk sits this beautiful pile of white paper (if you ignore the remnants of the baked apples I had for breakfast that are perched on a plate there now.) 171 pages. The draft of my...
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Writing Is Not Lonely, But Avoiding It Is – Repost from May 25
This week, I’m taking a bit of time off from the blog and bringing you the “Best of Andilit – 2011.” These are my six most popular posts with the most popular arriving on your screen on New Year’s Eve....
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The Complexities of Writing Advice
“Don’t read writing advice.” I’ve been seeing this bit of wisdom floating around the web of late. It’s ironic in that it, too, is advice. Thus, it gave me pause. Should I not read writing advice?...
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The Time to Dream Dreams
Your old men will dream, your young men will see visions. The verse above comes from the book of Joel in the Christian Bible. It actually has to do with “end times” prophesy and how the earth will look...
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Our Bodies, Our Writing
I discovered that the capital-I Ideals I loved to write about were all the more palpable when I rooted them in the real world. “Love is the meaning of life” is a nice sentiment, but I began to realize...
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The Next Big Thing – Free For You
Yesterday, the glorious Jennifer Luitweiler invited me to participate in this meme. I’m honored that she tossed the ring to me, so today, the latest on my new project. And be sure to scroll down to...
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When My Friends Get Oprah Love
I flip open the latest O Magazine that P’s mom has just given me because it’s “The Best Books of Summer” issue and see it – Rockaway by Tara Ison. I nearly squeal with delight. Tara was my teacher, and...
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Writing Books – My Top Ten
When someone asks me what my favorite books are, I do the same thing most book lovers do – go completely blank, get a little huffy because, really, how am I supposed to pick, and then acquiesce...
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The Universe, Gifts, and Imperfections
By the time I finished setting up the tent, I was soaking with sweat, and I was still pretty sure I had done it wrong. My first solo camping experience wasn’t turning out to be quite as stellar as I’d...
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My Friends’ Books – A Top Ten
One of the things that makes the crazy ups and downs of the writing life bearable is good friends, people who understand why we choose to write, people who value the written word, people who...
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Finding Writing Groups and Workshops – The Writing Life
My friend Suzy Vitello (whose new book The Moment Before is AWESOME) is in, what I think may be in the dream writing group for many of us. There, she works with Chuck Palahniuk, Cheryl Strayed, and...
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The Complexities of Writing Advice
“Don’t read writing advice.” I’ve been seeing this bit of wisdom floating around the web of late. It’s ironic in that it, too, is advice. Thus, it gave me pause. Should I not read writing advice?...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Time to Dream Dreams
Your old men will dream, your young men will see visions. The verse above comes from the book of Joel in the Christian Bible. It actually has to do with “end times” prophesy and how the earth will look...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Our Bodies, Our Writing
I discovered that the capital-I Ideals I loved to write about were all the more palpable when I rooted them in the real world. “Love is the meaning of life” is a nice sentiment, but I began to realize...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Next Big Thing – Free For You
Yesterday, the glorious Jennifer Luitweiler invited me to participate in this meme. I’m honored that she tossed the ring to me, so today, the latest on my new project. And be sure to scroll down to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
When My Friends Get Oprah Love
I flip open the latest O Magazine that P’s mom has just given me because it’s “The Best Books of Summer” issue and see it – Rockaway by Tara Ison. I nearly squeal with delight. Tara was my teacher, and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Writing Books – My Top Ten
When someone asks me what my favorite books are, I do the same thing most book lovers do – go completely blank, get a little huffy because, really, how am I supposed to pick, and then acquiesce...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Universe, Gifts, and Imperfections
By the time I finished setting up the tent, I was soaking with sweat, and I was still pretty sure I had done it wrong. My first solo camping experience wasn’t turning out to be quite as stellar as I’d...
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