Wednesday, October 07, 2009
“Journals capture my ideas, my emotions, the smell of the mowed grasses, the taste of a wildflower lemon stalk, the images from the farmhouse porch on a cool spring morning. My farm journals do the same; they record my feelings about a spring storm on peach blossoms or the fear of invisible diseases growing on my grapes. Writing and farming share a common tie—neither is done well by using formulas. Good stories are not based on recipes, a juicy peach cannot be grown by following “how to” books.”
David Mas Masumoto
David Mas Masumoto
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Skies so blue they'd break your heart. Really. I'm having sort of a problem today--I've had a big writing breakthrough and cannot stop writing/dabbling, feeling full of wonder and inventiveness. But alas, I have a deadline for a client so must rein in and slip into my left brain/problem solving editing mode. Perhaps I should buy a hat/cap just for editing....No, that won't won't work because then I'll have hat hair......but ooh man, these writing days are worth all the revising and the tribulations that come with writing book-length projects. You know what I'm going to say before I say it: Keep writing. Keep dreaming.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Calling all writers,
There is still time to sign up for my Show, don't tell workshop happening this Saturday , October 10 in Manzanita. I've been teaching since 1991 and over the years have developed a lot of workshops--but this particular workshop is one I'm especially proud of because it will change your approach to writing as the day progresses. Lots of hands-on exercises that will help you expand your powers of observation, imagination, and language. There will be a special focus on nailing sensory descriptions,
how to turn small moments and events into scenes and developing a narrative arc through details. Besides the fact that the workshop rocks, we're going to have fun. And what's not to like about a day in charming Manzanita?
Contact me for more details, including the availability of a scholarship. Jessica 503 287-2150
There is still time to sign up for my Show, don't tell workshop happening this Saturday , October 10 in Manzanita. I've been teaching since 1991 and over the years have developed a lot of workshops--but this particular workshop is one I'm especially proud of because it will change your approach to writing as the day progresses. Lots of hands-on exercises that will help you expand your powers of observation, imagination, and language. There will be a special focus on nailing sensory descriptions,
how to turn small moments and events into scenes and developing a narrative arc through details. Besides the fact that the workshop rocks, we're going to have fun. And what's not to like about a day in charming Manzanita?
Contact me for more details, including the availability of a scholarship. Jessica 503 287-2150
A publishing opportunity:
The Choosing America Project is looking for true short stories (1,500 to 4,000 words) that express the essence of being an immigrant in America, gripping human interest stories that will reflect the diversity of the American immigrant experience, past and present.
The final goal of The Choosing America Project is to create a series of short films directed by a variety of directors who will choose from the pool of stories they are now collecting. For more details, please go to the project's website www.choosingamerica.com.
The Choosing America Project is looking for true short stories (1,500 to 4,000 words) that express the essence of being an immigrant in America, gripping human interest stories that will reflect the diversity of the American immigrant experience, past and present.
The final goal of The Choosing America Project is to create a series of short films directed by a variety of directors who will choose from the pool of stories they are now collecting. For more details, please go to the project's website www.choosingamerica.com.
Golden autumn afternoon here in Portland and I just crossed off an editing project from my to-do list. Whew. Here is another event that came via my in box for Portland area residents. Sounds intriguing and helpful.....
The Portland State University MFA in Creative Writing Program presents:
THE WRITER/EDITOR RELATIONSHIP
A conversation between Joshua Kendall, Senior Editor at Viking/Penguin in New York, and Tom Bissell, fiction and nonfiction writer and professor in the PSU Creative Writing MFA program
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
4 p.m.
SMU 327
Free and open to the public
As a senior editor at Viking/Penguin, Joshua Kendall has worked with such writers as Ron Carlson, Stewart O’Nan, Andrew Sean Greer, and Donovan Hohn, recent recipient of the Whiting Award. Additionally, Josh has taught fiction writing at The University of Iowa, The Aspen Writers’ Foundation, and Eugene Lang/The New School, as well as having served as a contributing editor at The Paris Review. Raised in Tacoma, Washington, he currently lives in New York City .
Tom Bissell, who recently joined the PSU faculty, is the author of Chasing the Sea, God Lives in St. Petersburg, and The Father of All Things. Early next year he will publish Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter.
The Portland State University MFA in Creative Writing Program presents:
THE WRITER/EDITOR RELATIONSHIP
A conversation between Joshua Kendall, Senior Editor at Viking/Penguin in New York, and Tom Bissell, fiction and nonfiction writer and professor in the PSU Creative Writing MFA program
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
4 p.m.
SMU 327
Free and open to the public
As a senior editor at Viking/Penguin, Joshua Kendall has worked with such writers as Ron Carlson, Stewart O’Nan, Andrew Sean Greer, and Donovan Hohn, recent recipient of the Whiting Award. Additionally, Josh has taught fiction writing at The University of Iowa, The Aspen Writers’ Foundation, and Eugene Lang/The New School, as well as having served as a contributing editor at The Paris Review. Raised in Tacoma, Washington, he currently lives in New York City .
Tom Bissell, who recently joined the PSU faculty, is the author of Chasing the Sea, God Lives in St. Petersburg, and The Father of All Things. Early next year he will publish Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter.
We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true.
Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Gloomy, glowering skies here today. From my in box:
FROM WAGONS TO WORDSTOCK:
150 YEARS OF OREGON POETRY
Portland, Oregon – September 2009: In celebration of Oregon’s Sesquicentennial Anniversary, esteemed literary journal Poetry Northwest and the Oregon State Library have released a list of 150 outstanding poetry books – one for each year of our statehood. These books range in style and subject matter, and poets both well-beloved and newly emerging are represented, from William Stafford to Michael McGriff. Each nominee has a connection to Oregon, whether the poet grew up in Madras or writes about the rain. The list will be published online as a service to libraries, schools, and citizens. Oregonians can access it online at Poetry Northwest (www.poetrynw.org).
Poets from the list will honor the Sesquicentennial with readings at the 2009 Wordstock, the annual literary festival in Portland, on October 10 and 11, 2009, on the Mountain Writers Stage. The Mountain Writers Series sponsors readings, workshops, and seminars with local as well as national and international writers, and serves as a hub in the Oregon poetry community. Among the Wordstock readers will be Lex Runciman, Donna Henderson, Carlos Reyes, Mary Szybist, Matthew Dickman, Jessica Lamb, and Maxine Scates. A full schedule of Wordstock readings, including the Poetry 150 List, can be found at www.wordstockfestival.com.
To create the list, Jim Scheppke, State Librarian, and David Biespiel, editor of Poetry Northwest, solicited nominations from Oregon authors, as well as from the general public. The response was overwhelming. Oregonians wrote in large numbers with lists of their favorite books, and their nominations created a diverse list of Oregon’s best poetry. The State Library had previously released the Oregon 150 Booklist, which included works in children’s literature, fiction, and nonfiction, as well as poetry. Mr. Biespiel recognized that poetry had a strong community in Oregon and merited its own list, and so Poetry Northwest spearheaded the collaborative effort.
While the list cannot possibly include every poetry book published in or about our state, it provides a foundation for reading and a valuable resource for Oregonians. Because citizens and readers made the nominations, the list is unique from scholarly anthologies. Its creators believe that public engagement has shown the importance of poetry in the lives of citizens. According to Mr. Biespiel, the community has come together in support of the state and of literature. The result, he says, is “a spectacular civic achievement.”
Poetry Northwest: 4232 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland 97215. 503-236-0615 poetrynw.org
The Oregon State Library: 250 Winter St. NE, Salem 97301-3950. 503-378-4243 oregon.gov/OSL
Mountain Writers Series: 2804 SE 27th Avenue, #2, Portland 97202. 503.232.4517 mountainwriters.org
# # #
FROM WAGONS TO WORDSTOCK:
150 YEARS OF OREGON POETRY
Portland, Oregon – September 2009: In celebration of Oregon’s Sesquicentennial Anniversary, esteemed literary journal Poetry Northwest and the Oregon State Library have released a list of 150 outstanding poetry books – one for each year of our statehood. These books range in style and subject matter, and poets both well-beloved and newly emerging are represented, from William Stafford to Michael McGriff. Each nominee has a connection to Oregon, whether the poet grew up in Madras or writes about the rain. The list will be published online as a service to libraries, schools, and citizens. Oregonians can access it online at Poetry Northwest (www.poetrynw.org).
Poets from the list will honor the Sesquicentennial with readings at the 2009 Wordstock, the annual literary festival in Portland, on October 10 and 11, 2009, on the Mountain Writers Stage. The Mountain Writers Series sponsors readings, workshops, and seminars with local as well as national and international writers, and serves as a hub in the Oregon poetry community. Among the Wordstock readers will be Lex Runciman, Donna Henderson, Carlos Reyes, Mary Szybist, Matthew Dickman, Jessica Lamb, and Maxine Scates. A full schedule of Wordstock readings, including the Poetry 150 List, can be found at www.wordstockfestival.com.
To create the list, Jim Scheppke, State Librarian, and David Biespiel, editor of Poetry Northwest, solicited nominations from Oregon authors, as well as from the general public. The response was overwhelming. Oregonians wrote in large numbers with lists of their favorite books, and their nominations created a diverse list of Oregon’s best poetry. The State Library had previously released the Oregon 150 Booklist, which included works in children’s literature, fiction, and nonfiction, as well as poetry. Mr. Biespiel recognized that poetry had a strong community in Oregon and merited its own list, and so Poetry Northwest spearheaded the collaborative effort.
While the list cannot possibly include every poetry book published in or about our state, it provides a foundation for reading and a valuable resource for Oregonians. Because citizens and readers made the nominations, the list is unique from scholarly anthologies. Its creators believe that public engagement has shown the importance of poetry in the lives of citizens. According to Mr. Biespiel, the community has come together in support of the state and of literature. The result, he says, is “a spectacular civic achievement.”
Poetry Northwest: 4232 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland 97215. 503-236-0615 poetrynw.org
The Oregon State Library: 250 Winter St. NE, Salem 97301-3950. 503-378-4243 oregon.gov/OSL
Mountain Writers Series: 2804 SE 27th Avenue, #2, Portland 97202. 503.232.4517 mountainwriters.org
# # #
Friday, October 02, 2009
There's a great post at Larry Brook's blog, Storyfix from James Frey. One paragraph especially made me giggle:
"Did you notice, when you told your mother or father, sister, brother, or friend that you wanted to be a writer, the shocked, hurt, bewildered expression on their faces? Spouses, upon hearing the news, often get ill or take to the bottle. Some start packing."
"Did you notice, when you told your mother or father, sister, brother, or friend that you wanted to be a writer, the shocked, hurt, bewildered expression on their faces? Spouses, upon hearing the news, often get ill or take to the bottle. Some start packing."
Skies are a fabulous blend of clouds and suncast and blue. Looks like it might be a wet day.
From my Division of Good Works:
I'm giving away a scholarship to my Show, don't tell workshop on October 10 in Manzanita. If you know someone who would like to attend, please contact me. Also, it's just a smokin' workshop--will change the way you write and think about writing as the day goes on.....
And of course, keep writing and keep dreaming.
From my Division of Good Works:
I'm giving away a scholarship to my Show, don't tell workshop on October 10 in Manzanita. If you know someone who would like to attend, please contact me. Also, it's just a smokin' workshop--will change the way you write and think about writing as the day goes on.....
And of course, keep writing and keep dreaming.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
From my Division of Shameless Commerce:
There is still time to join my Show, don't tell workshop in LOVELY Manzanita on October 10. Hours are 10-5:30. Cost is $75. I've been teaching since 1991 and this is one of my workshops that I'm most proud of because I watch the participant's writing move up to a new level as the day progresses. And it's fun. In fact, it smokes and you can also squeeze in a stroll on the beach....and I'm always game for wine afterward. Contact me at jessicapage at spiritone.com
There is still time to join my Show, don't tell workshop in LOVELY Manzanita on October 10. Hours are 10-5:30. Cost is $75. I've been teaching since 1991 and this is one of my workshops that I'm most proud of because I watch the participant's writing move up to a new level as the day progresses. And it's fun. In fact, it smokes and you can also squeeze in a stroll on the beach....and I'm always game for wine afterward. Contact me at jessicapage at spiritone.com
"I wanted to be a writer so much that the idea of failing at it was almost unbearable to me, and so I really didn’t tell people as I grew older that I wanted to be a writer—you know, because they look at you with such looks of pity, and ask what you’ve published—whatever, I just couldn’t stand that. And so I didn’t really tell people." Elizabeth Strout
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Woosh I have a lot of email these days. Found something I want to share.
A student writes from Paris where she’s staying for a year: How do I capture this place? Just returned from the Vosges Mountains and wanted to thank you for all your suggestions on travel writing. Every idea is helpful! One of the things that has stayed with me that I heard you say once was that you look at life as a tourist and write through those eyes. Everyday holds something if we just remember to look for it. I'm trying to find a way to organize and best compile travel notes I should be taking during this year here. I haven't done enough of it and your mention of it brought it home that I really need to.
Merci beaucoup,____
Dear______; If I were you I'd pay attention to the small things around me. Notice how the air feels and smells, the temperature, the trees, the way women walk in the street. Colors, always colors. And architecture. Look up. What color is the sky? How do the natives react to weather? Think back to your first days there and what struck you as vastly different from the U.S. Pay attention to how holidays are different, the quality of light in all its seasons, art, objects, food, and people you'll never see here. Notice what the French do for comfort, how their homes are decorated and arranged, how the French react to political news, the sounds of the night, the street, the countryside. How do the seasons change? Who attends church? Where do the children play?
Go to cafes and public places and write. You might also try selecting a single thing that you're going to pay attention to in a single day--water in all its forms, the color red, scarves, bread, laughter, bicycles. Pretend you're a detective, a spy, a woman of mystery, a gypsy.
I believe that all writers must carry a notebook around at all times and eavesdrop on the world. We need to gather, scavenge, and record what we witness via the senses so that these remembrances can show up in our writing. Live with awareness. Sketch even if you're no good at it and jot down interesting bits of dialogue, snatch the moment when a person whose clothes or face or voice intrigues you. Hope this helps and since I'm here in Portland writing and editing away, please live large for both of us.
Best, Jessica
A student writes from Paris where she’s staying for a year: How do I capture this place? Just returned from the Vosges Mountains and wanted to thank you for all your suggestions on travel writing. Every idea is helpful! One of the things that has stayed with me that I heard you say once was that you look at life as a tourist and write through those eyes. Everyday holds something if we just remember to look for it. I'm trying to find a way to organize and best compile travel notes I should be taking during this year here. I haven't done enough of it and your mention of it brought it home that I really need to.
Merci beaucoup,____
Dear______; If I were you I'd pay attention to the small things around me. Notice how the air feels and smells, the temperature, the trees, the way women walk in the street. Colors, always colors. And architecture. Look up. What color is the sky? How do the natives react to weather? Think back to your first days there and what struck you as vastly different from the U.S. Pay attention to how holidays are different, the quality of light in all its seasons, art, objects, food, and people you'll never see here. Notice what the French do for comfort, how their homes are decorated and arranged, how the French react to political news, the sounds of the night, the street, the countryside. How do the seasons change? Who attends church? Where do the children play?
Go to cafes and public places and write. You might also try selecting a single thing that you're going to pay attention to in a single day--water in all its forms, the color red, scarves, bread, laughter, bicycles. Pretend you're a detective, a spy, a woman of mystery, a gypsy.
I believe that all writers must carry a notebook around at all times and eavesdrop on the world. We need to gather, scavenge, and record what we witness via the senses so that these remembrances can show up in our writing. Live with awareness. Sketch even if you're no good at it and jot down interesting bits of dialogue, snatch the moment when a person whose clothes or face or voice intrigues you. Hope this helps and since I'm here in Portland writing and editing away, please live large for both of us.
Best, Jessica
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The skies they are a changing since a new weather pattern arrived yesterday, pushing away the relentlessly sunny and perfect autumn weather. I’m hoping that I’m over my flu and here’s wishing that you all avoid it.
I was leafing though my notebooks yesterday and realized that I have fallen behind in transferring words for my word list into that document. If you’re new to this blog, about three years ago I started a word list after I edited my book Between the Lines. While reading the final drafts I realized how many times I’d relied on my favorite words and how I need to use more of my vocabulary. So as I go through life, I jot down words I want to use more often. Now, sometimes these are words I already use, but this habit reinforces their appeal and serves as a constant reminder that I’m looking for language with pizzazz.
Tsunami, balk, bamboozled, fantastical,nefarious, flinchy, chumpy, dimwitted, clob, vim, limn, clabber, raffish, poppycock, tattletale, piffle, gimcrack, numinous, lustral, grog, higgledy-piggledy, jibber jabber, dovetail, verboten, and in honor of the late William Safire, nattering.
Oh, and I just used jibber-jabber in the preface for the book proposal I’m working on. Keep writing, keep dreaming.
I was leafing though my notebooks yesterday and realized that I have fallen behind in transferring words for my word list into that document. If you’re new to this blog, about three years ago I started a word list after I edited my book Between the Lines. While reading the final drafts I realized how many times I’d relied on my favorite words and how I need to use more of my vocabulary. So as I go through life, I jot down words I want to use more often. Now, sometimes these are words I already use, but this habit reinforces their appeal and serves as a constant reminder that I’m looking for language with pizzazz.
Tsunami, balk, bamboozled, fantastical,nefarious, flinchy, chumpy, dimwitted, clob, vim, limn, clabber, raffish, poppycock, tattletale, piffle, gimcrack, numinous, lustral, grog, higgledy-piggledy, jibber jabber, dovetail, verboten, and in honor of the late William Safire, nattering.
Oh, and I just used jibber-jabber in the preface for the book proposal I’m working on. Keep writing, keep dreaming.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Clouds pouring into town as our lovely weather is fleeing to make way for reain. From my inbox:
We've got new articles posted at Author (www.authormagazine.org)
Editor Erin Brown takes a hard look at the query letter. For most writers, it is the introduction to the publishing world (that is, how most writers introduce themselves to the publishing world) and Erin wants to make sure you put your best foot forward.
Jennifer Paros reflects on the true nature of genius, inspired by Maurice Sendak's description of Spike Jonze, director of the much anticipated film adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are. "He's not afraid of himself," said Sendak. "He's a real artist and lets it come through the work."
And Editor-In-Chief Bill Kenower encourages us to take our eyes off the prize that is publishing and focus on the process of writing. Not only is it the true reward, but it is the only way to produce the sort of book you would want to publish in the first place.
We've got new articles posted at Author (www.authormagazine.org)
Editor Erin Brown takes a hard look at the query letter. For most writers, it is the introduction to the publishing world (that is, how most writers introduce themselves to the publishing world) and Erin wants to make sure you put your best foot forward.
Jennifer Paros reflects on the true nature of genius, inspired by Maurice Sendak's description of Spike Jonze, director of the much anticipated film adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are. "He's not afraid of himself," said Sendak. "He's a real artist and lets it come through the work."
And Editor-In-Chief Bill Kenower encourages us to take our eyes off the prize that is publishing and focus on the process of writing. Not only is it the true reward, but it is the only way to produce the sort of book you would want to publish in the first place.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Have come down with the incredibly evil flu that is circulating our region, so my observations on life will be dull this week, since they're made from my sick bed. So here's a writing prompt:
If I were . . ..
If I were incredibly wealthy I would . . . .
If I could live anywhere I would . . . .
If I were the most beautiful woman in the world I would . . . .
If I never had to work again I would . . . .
If I could change the world I would . . . .
If I could start over I would . . . .
If I had all day to write I would . . . .
If I were living my dreams I would . . . .
If I wasn't afraid of anything I would . . . .
If I were . . ..
If I were incredibly wealthy I would . . . .
If I could live anywhere I would . . . .
If I were the most beautiful woman in the world I would . . . .
If I never had to work again I would . . . .
If I could change the world I would . . . .
If I could start over I would . . . .
If I had all day to write I would . . . .
If I were living my dreams I would . . . .
If I wasn't afraid of anything I would . . . .
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The marine layer is burning away and another day of toasty temperatures is predicted. Happy second day of autumn to all.
According to the Writer’s Almanac: “On this day in 1806, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark returned to St. Louis from their westward expedition to the Pacific Coast. They carried with them the first tentative maps of the American West and the most detailed journals ever kept of an exploratory expedition, with notes on the events of every single day of their journey. Their report of what they discovered filled Americans with excitement about the West and launched a flood of expansion across the newly purchased Louisiana Territory.”
There has never been a tale or journey that has so sparked my imagination like Lewis and Clark’s extraordinary trek. I like to imagine them in the deep woods at night, blackness all around, hunkered near their campfire and makeshift maps, studying the stars, debating the next day’s ventures. In the background is the song of a river and creaky, rustling night sounds of unseen animals. There is a dog sprawled near the fire, the smells of food and wood smoke, the tired ache of bodies used up from a day’s excursions.
December 16, 1805 (Fort Clatsop)
“The Winds violent. Trees falling in every derection, Whorl winds, with gusts of Hail & Thunder, this kind of weather lasted all day. Certainly one of the worst days that ever was!…Several men complaining of injuring themselves…” -Captain William Clark.
It seems to me that what we can learn from these adventurers is write it down, write it down.
According to the Writer’s Almanac: “On this day in 1806, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark returned to St. Louis from their westward expedition to the Pacific Coast. They carried with them the first tentative maps of the American West and the most detailed journals ever kept of an exploratory expedition, with notes on the events of every single day of their journey. Their report of what they discovered filled Americans with excitement about the West and launched a flood of expansion across the newly purchased Louisiana Territory.”
There has never been a tale or journey that has so sparked my imagination like Lewis and Clark’s extraordinary trek. I like to imagine them in the deep woods at night, blackness all around, hunkered near their campfire and makeshift maps, studying the stars, debating the next day’s ventures. In the background is the song of a river and creaky, rustling night sounds of unseen animals. There is a dog sprawled near the fire, the smells of food and wood smoke, the tired ache of bodies used up from a day’s excursions.
December 16, 1805 (Fort Clatsop)
“The Winds violent. Trees falling in every derection, Whorl winds, with gusts of Hail & Thunder, this kind of weather lasted all day. Certainly one of the worst days that ever was!…Several men complaining of injuring themselves…” -Captain William Clark.
It seems to me that what we can learn from these adventurers is write it down, write it down.
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