I have been looking into schedules. Even when we read physics, we inquire of each least particle, What then shall I do this morning? How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with … Continue reading
I have been looking into schedules. Even when we read physics, we inquire of each least particle, What then shall I do this morning? How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with … Continue reading
I feel as if I’m in Austria, but it’s the Methow Valley in the foothills of Washington’s North Cascade mountain range. On Wednesday I flew into Seattle and then drove east for five hours–through the city, along rivers, over a pearly sea-green lake, … Continue reading
I started to write there are so many things I forgot, but really there are so many things I remember. Here are a few I remembered after the fact–being a Brownie leader, spending every New Year’s Eve until graduate school … Continue reading
2015: Back in Provincetown, I sit still and stare at the water. The last couple of years, all my writing efforts have poured into this current novel and apparently all my self-worth as well. When I see people, they ask if … Continue reading
Yesterday evening while I was walking, I began to think ahead to this year and to 2015. And these upcoming years made me realize that for 2012 and 2013 I left out two important things. One, my parents’ health is worsening, in particular … Continue reading
2013: One week a month in Provincetown. Space is opening all around me. I plan ahead, run the dates by Cal, and start booking flights. In January, I stay at The Watermark Inn. It’s closed. But I’ve stayed here before and it’s … Continue reading
2012: After I give my lecture and reading, I start making the changes to my first novel that my agent (late addition to yesterday’s post) has requested, Tori Amos’ Silent All These Years and Regina Spector’s Us on repeat. Cal comes … Continue reading
2011: In January, I finish up winter residency and fall under the spell of Jennifer Egan’s A Visit from the Goon Squad. February is AWP in Washington, DC, where I spot Josh Ritter in the bar and actually talk to him. In March, … Continue reading
2010: The new year begins in the deep snow of Vermont. I stay in the dorm, wear my first pair of snow boots, and vow not to waste any more years writing novels that don’t sell. I will go shorter. And I … Continue reading
2009: Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President. After a visit to Bobby in Scotland, Cal comes with me to Sirenland. It’s the only writing conference I know that is spouse friendly. In Italy we make a daily habit of climbing all those steps … Continue reading
As you might guess from the length of yesterday’s and today’s posts–the squares turning into rectangles–writing these short is getting more difficult. The years feel unwieldy now rather than obscure. I’m working to contain rather than to remember. 2008: I start … Continue reading
So the music is back… 2007: Turning 50 gives me pause but not much. To celebrate, I want to go somewhere I’ve never been before. Cal and I plan a trip to a private island in Belize where we have a one-room villa with walls … Continue reading
For the past few years and for a few more to come, I don’t remember what music I was listening to, and I wonder why that is. I’m sure Dave Matthews still, and Jackson Browne always. James Taylor always. And … Continue reading
When I first started doing this, I didn’t know what it looked like. Then I saw a photo of myself (on Facebook), and I thought how stupid I looked. So for a while I stopped doing it. But I did it … Continue reading
Back in California at Tomales Bay for a Writing by Writers workshop–along with three friends I’ve made at this blog–Elizabeth G. Marro, Anne C., and DL Craig–such fun to see each other! We have another outstanding cast of workshop faculty–Dorothy Allison, Steve … Continue reading
Last night Tom Barbash said in his craft talk to make the manuscript truthful first, elegant later. Pam Houston said she looks to the metaphor for truth. Tonight, Josh Weil said that he honors his first draft for its freshness, its honesty, … Continue reading
I’m back in Tomales Bay for Writing by Writers Manuscript Boot Camp. The faculty readings with Pam Houston, Josh Weil, and Tom Barbash, are just about to start. Despite the fact that I arrived on the west coast yesterday, I’m struggling to … Continue reading
Too much sitting, not enough moving. This morning my body hurt. I stretched, then I set the timer on my phone for an hour, and when it went off, I got down on the floor and stretched again. Then I … Continue reading
catching days 
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