I first encountered what is now one of my favorite Emily Dickinson poems in a class I took on memoir writing. Here’s the short, two-stanza poem: Tell all the Truth but tell it slant — Success in Circuit lies Too bright for our infirm Delight The Truth’s superb surprise As Lightning to the Children […]
The idea wasn’t originally mine–as is common in the writing classroom, I borrowed it from another teacher. Every semester, on the first day of class, each of my students has to complete the metaphor “Writing is Like…” I’ve now heard hundreds of metaphors, many of them involving pain and suffering–for freshmen taking a required general […]
Writing is the hardest thing in the world. I didn’t think that when I started writing at the age of 5, but I often think that now. Some days, I feel like I’m pulling my toe nails out (don’t spend too much time visualizing it) simply to write 500 words. My daughter is 6 weeks […]
Lay your dreams in sand Pretty patterns, bright colors. Then watch them wash away. Photo credit: penelopejonze
A few nights ago, I had a very vivid dream which involved me reading a pile of books to my toddler. I mentioned the dream to my friend Shann, and added, “And I’ve read a lot of books to Myra today.” Without a moment’s hesitation, Shann replied, “You’re living the dream!” (Photo by Marissa Strniste) […]