Write badly

One of the things that's been joyously freeing about my writing program is that we're given permission to do something important: Write badly. In order to create a sculpture, you have to start with a big block of clay, or a stone, or a chunk of wood. At first, you're just hacking pieces away and … Continue reading Write badly

The things we replace

As a young child, I had a small music box that played Fur Elise. I carried it everywhere. It looked much like this... My childhood one was smaller, and enclosed in plastic, but you get the idea. A really nasty adult, who was irrationally upset by my innocent obsession, took it away from me. Years … Continue reading The things we replace

What it feels like to shiver

Last night as I drove home from my writing class, there was a gentle, lackadaisical snow falling in Denver. The restaurant and microbrewery patios were empty. The homeless had taken shelter somewhere - at least I hope they did - as the temperature dropped. Less people roamed the sidewalks. It was quiet, in that beautiful … Continue reading What it feels like to shiver

Delete the explanation

The other week in class, my writing instructor said, "When you get rid of the explanation, the emotion really comes through." That hit me, because I was like...this is truth. This is a life lesson. Reveal something without directly saying it, and you make it much more powerful. Watch how others around you reveal things … Continue reading Delete the explanation

Literary mea culpas, literary prayers

In my writing class, there's a certain format to things. We read a bit of this, then reflect. Read another passage, discuss. A literary liturgy of sorts. There's something about this class that reminds me of Catholic masses, only without the standing and kneeling. (Though, I would say, our literary docent probably wouldn't mind if … Continue reading Literary mea culpas, literary prayers