My HuffPo: Help for Those Who Lost More Than Hope
Please read my latest article on Huffington Post: A Brave Face – Victims Disfigured by Domestic Violence Can Get Life-Changing Help Audrey Mabrey’s ex-husband hit her on the head with a hammer and set her on fire. After multiple surgeries, she has become an advocate for survivors of domestic violence. Stephanie was physically unable to fully […]
Author event – music, books, fun
Come join me! I’ll be presenting RADIO HEAD at Liberty Bay Books as part of Bremerton’s 1st Friday Art Walk. 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, September 2, 2016 409 Pacific Ave, Bremerton, WA 98337 Liberty Bay Books is located next next to Hot Java Café. Pacific Ave. is home to an eclectic mix of restaurants, retailers, and art […]
Stepping into the spotlight – Interview with Victoria Theodore
I’m excited to announce that Mixtape Methodology published my interview with musician Victoria Theodore, featured in 20 Feet from Stardom. Here is an excerpt: When Victoria Theodore began taking piano lessons just before her twelfth birthday, one of the first songs she learned was “Overjoyed,” the 1985 R&B single by Stevie Wonder. The song came naturally […]
Story Prompt: Try Writing a Poem
I have an energetic, expressive friend who writes cozy mysteries. Her critique partner/ruthless editor happens to be a poet. My friend cherishes this incongruity between them, because who better understands the economy of words than a poet? She says that if clarity is indeed king, and if there is a simpler, more direct way of […]
Teen Writer Mentor – Classroom visits!
Let’s talk about writing and books! I’d be happy to visit your book club or classroom in person, or via Skype. I currently co-host a monthly Teen Writers Workshop at a public library, and an annual week-long, filled-to-capacity Teen Creative Writing Summer Camp. Introduction I love every aspect of writing (both fiction and nonfiction), reading, and editing. My […]
Writing Prompt: Inspiration from the Natural World
Today’s visually stunning prompts are from photographer Donn Delson. An avid traveler, Donn’s collection features images from trips to the Galapagos islands, Europe, Canada, and around his California home. I had the good fortune of meeting Donn, also a dedicated writer, at the Writers’ Studio at UCLA. He’s currently working on a semi-autobiographical YA novel. I’ve […]
6 Easy ways for readers to show love for favorite books
We readers are lucky. There is an abundance of great books on the market. That’s why it’s so important to post reviews of the books you enjoy–so other readers can find them.
Story Prompt: Comedy Writing Exercise
Comedy writing is intimidating, I think most of us can agree. But if you like sitcoms, and romcoms and dramedies as much as I do, isn’t worth a shot?
Story Prompt: Can the Buddha help you with your next story?
Is it just me, or would this quote make a brilliant premise for a Science Fiction novel? Imagine the literal ability to become what you think (eg: morph), draw to you kinetically what you choose (eg: Darth Vadar’s force pull), and create what you imagine (eg: Hiro Hamada used a neurotransmitter in Big Hero 6 to control his microbots.) How would this technology work in your world? How would it be used–for good? for evil?
Story Prompt: Sometimes Your Closest Confidant is a Stranger
“I wonder how many people I’ve looked at all my life and never seen.” I love this quote from John Steinbeck. While emulation of our literary heroes may prove worthy practice when starting out, our goal as writers is to sharpen and develop our own voices. We look to the masters as teachers–why not look […]