Everyone’s posting black and white photos on Facebook lately and so when someone challenged me (thanks, Gail!), I converted a few of this year’s pics into black and white. I was surprised at what I saw. Black and white feels so much more distinct and complex. Each layer matters, each angle. Moods emerge where color… Read More Black and white challenge
I’ve always loved bones. Growing up on a farm I saw a lot of dead animals and I had a pile of bones I kept tucked against a mound of tree roots. I loved touching these, tracing the bones with my fingers, imaging the lives of the animals that once inhabited them. I imagined dinosaurs… Read More Dead whale (or the beauty of bones)
I’ve made it a goal to write 1,500 words a day on my new novel. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? Back in my journalism days I often wrote more than that in a day so really, what’s the big deal? Except, I don’t have a notepad full of facts before me or hours of… Read More 1,500 words, two moose, an eagle and lots of autumn color
Well, Foundry doesn’t want any of the five (or was it four?) poems I submitted. They did mention that they liked Sundays, after the cat dies but unfortunately couldn’t find a place for it. I think this means that they thought it sucked a little less than the rest of my work. Submitting is a painful… Read More Another rejection, and it’s all about the dog, the dog
Phew, it’s been a busy couple of weeks. We’re up to almost twenty hours of daylight here in Anchorage and sleep has become impossible. Even with blackout curtains over the bedroom windows, my mind still knows that it’s light outside and won’t turn off. I lie in bed each night, my body exhausted while my… Read More A rejection and a publication
It’s summer in Alaska and the days are long and glorious. It’s light until around midnight now and even when it’s dark, it’s not truly dark. The twilight stretches out, dim and filmy, so that even at 3 a.m., you can see perfectly well, or at least well enough. Earlier this week, we took an… Read More Bear paw prints, and long and lovely days
I know, I know: You’re all sitting at the edge of your seats wondering how my Write Every Day For a Month pledge is coming along. I’m happy to say that it started with stunning optimism. Bright and early on the morning of Sept. 1, I jumped out of bed, ate a hearty breakfast, sat down… Read More Day three: Alaska beach walk
One of my favorite things to do during the long Alaska twilight nights is walk on the beach along Cook Inlet. There’s something about the twilight that invigorates me, causes my blood to thump and my heart to beat faster, and sometimes if I’m very still and keep my ears open, I swear I can hear the… Read More Twilight beach walk
