Full disclosure: I do not know if I can do this. But I’m doing it anyway! I do not have an outline beyond the first chapter, and ideas for two more chapters scribbled in a notebook while I was preoccupied here. So I will have to wing it. Which is daunting. And exhilarating. And possibly … Continue reading »
The new novel has been on my mind. Other things have been happening, but all along there’s been this unsettled feeling in me: I haven’t accomplished enough; I’m not where I wanted to be; it’s time to change that; how long have I been saying that?; is it too late?; it can’t be too late. … Continue reading »
No answer yet, and none expected for one, two, three (?) days. As a writer, I am all too familiar with this state of waiting. Someone says they have an answer for you, but they don’t know when. It could be good, they hint, but they don’t say it outright, which brings to mind the … Continue reading »
This afternoon members of the Antioch College community are expecting (hoping) for a decision from the university Board of Trustees announcing that the college can stay open past the spring of 2008. The Alumni Board has raised more than $18 million to that end. We want a yes. As you can see, signs have been … Continue reading »
Please please please let Antioch College stay open. I’m headed to Ohio now. (Pictured here is an image I remember from my admissions brochure.) I’ll be on campus shortly, to return to the place where I: had my eyes opened • had my ideas and views challenged • found inspiration • found my voice • … Continue reading »
I’m at that point when you’re writing a novel when you’re not even actually writing the novel but still you think you’re gold. You know: The ideas shimmering… Your words poised to come out… Not a single line on the page, but the whole thing seems finished somehow, in your mind. I bet there are … Continue reading »
I have to take #1 back. I said I could handle revision. I cannot. I can handle revision only when I am facing my own notes or only when I don’t care so much anymore, which takes time, loads and loads of time. In order to handle revision, I need some amnesia. It comes, but … Continue reading »
…I’m afraid it might not be YA at all. Which does make it harder. The latest advice from my patient other half—after the movie, while walking through Washington Square Park at night through the crowd of revelers listening to the Beatles cover, passing them dancing, passing the fountain, passing the rat, which runs across the … Continue reading »
My feelings about making the decision to participate in NaNoWriMo this year—for the first time ever—vacillate between dazed shock, giddy excitement, and of course my signature bucketloads of doubt. I wouldn’t be me if not for that. Still, unless something happens to make it impossible for me to keep writing through to the end of … Continue reading »
14 years together with e today! How is it possible to be in love (more in love each year) with the same person for 14 years? I have no idea how it turned out this way, but I can tell you it is possible. E and I grew up together. We would not be who … Continue reading »
