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November Writing Challenge

NaNoWriMo is Defunct--let's write anyway! I was surprised when I went to update my NaNoWriMo page and there was no NaNoWriMo. I did know there was a debate about the allowance of AI in NaNoWriMo. Probably better for the founders to have said, "No Way, Jose." And I agree. The process of spinning a tale from your mind is not only creative, it is important for brain function. Fellow writers, we...

"One writes in order to feel."

— Muriel Rukeyser

"Character—the willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life—is the source from which self-respect springs."

— Joan Didion

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Books for Writers: A Few of My Favorite Books

Resources

The Writer's Portable Mentor, by Priscilla Long The Writer's Portable Mentor: A Guide to Art, Craft, and the Writing Life distills 20 years of teaching and creativity by the well-published author Priscilla Long. The Writer's Portable Mentor helps writers understand...

Winter Guard

Poetry

East: Twisting blacklocust limb breaksfalling to earth,spilling poison podsacross frozen ground.Father splits rotten wood,stokes stove fullwaiting for smolderto smudge brittle air.West: Rusting barbwireencloses creek willows,huddled naked, heavingagainst mountain...

Stained Purple

Poetry

Blackberries ripen,
plump and sweet.
Birds flock to the beach,
devour–chirping, chirping, chirping.

Tidal Generations

Poetry

Sometimes, when the sky turns
pink, I walk through the oat grass
to where the ocean breathes
salty air.

Nerve Root

Poetry

Nerve Root previously posted on Poets Against War Website As a young womanI saved scrawled details,monsoons and foxholes, my brotherkeeping armed watch in Nam.Now, I step through twisted mind fields,search stagnant poolsfor scarred soldiers’ hearts.If their tenderness...

Home At Sea

Poetry

At low tide,I scrub my windowswith clam nectar,sweep my floorswith spiny scrub brushkelp.I skip bleached bonesalong wakingwhite-capped sea,scoop billionsof splintered shellsinto a calcspar cup.I toast green bellied wavescrashing onto shore,spilling bucketsof icy...

Grandma’s Garden

Poetry

Previously printed in Spindrift, Shoreline Community College Journal. Grandma’s legs, skinny as green beans,stand planted firm in chocolate brown earth.She picks the last of the fall zucchinito grate and squeeze dry.Grandma’s hands, twisted as pumpkin vines,mix wheat...

Drawn by Hairs*

Writing

*The greatest events are often drawn by hairs: Events of great pith and moment are often brought about by causes of apparently no importance. I’ll never forget mother’s words, “We’re short-haired people.” The first time she colored her hair she reminded us kids of a...

The Importance of a Writing Practice

Resources

If you want to write, you must practice. I believe this to be true in all artist endeavors. I have danced on stage, played the piano and organ, sang in choirs, and currently paint and write. Without practicing, my skill deteriorates. I realized...