What: My poetry is grounded in both external and internal landscapes. I have always been fascinated with the visual arts and nature—they are often subjects that appear in my poems. The poetry I write, honoring my internal map, is the result of exploring deep emotions shaped by experiences of loss and grief. Losing my adult son to a sudden and unexpected pulmonary embolism and both my parents … [Read more...]
Dinner with Elmore Leonard (sort of)
A side of grits and a portrait of the Dickens of Detroit The specials at a local restaurant the other evening were called "A Taste of New Orleans," and my Blackened Twin Filets Diablo with jumbo shrimp, tomato butter, white wine, herbs and white cheddar grits didn't disappoint. Far more interesting, however was the portrait of one of my favorite local writers, the late Elmore Leonard, which … [Read more...]
Beyond the Smile: Elevating Character and Emotions in Writing
Don't let a smile do all the lifting! One of the steps I take when editing a manuscript is search for particular words, such as smile. Every word matters especially when it comes to character's gestures and facial expressions. I want to avoid stale or easy gestures such as shrugs, eye rolls and angry glares. A smile alone shouldn’t be left to do all your heavy lifting. What exactly does that … [Read more...]
A (Mostly) Clean Challenge: Writing a Novel with Minimal Profanity
The question was: Could I do it? First of all, I didn't think profanity fit my forthcoming novel, Love and Other Incurable Ailments, and secondly, I like to give myself challenges as a way of stretching my abilities. When I shared this no-swear idea with my fellow writers, one said "My books are really sweary and the characters kill each other. Going F free is an achievement." Another … [Read more...]
The entertaining side of Chat GPT
Describe a look of surprise: I tried Chat GPT to help me rethink a cliché. I wanted to find a look of surprise that didn't involve raised eyebrows or an open mouth. Besides giving me a break from editing and making me laugh out loud, Chat GPT wasn't helpful at all. Well, except to remind me that I'm a good writer and I know a bad cliché when I read it. How it started: Me: Help me … [Read more...]
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