This evening is my last UCLA Extension class for the foreseeable future. Over the past six months, I’ve taken two extension courses, Novel IV and Novel V, with Mark Sarvas, […]
Writing
Reconsidering the Day Job
Way back in September, I was feeling pretty low. I had just taken a day job I thought was perfect for me, and I couldn’t figure out why I was […]
The Act of Artistic Stealing
As I writer, I have often heard these two bits of advice: don’t be afraid to steal, and, find your own voice. I will admit, though, that I have never […]
After The Half Marathon
As you know, I recently ran my first half marathon. Turns out, I’m actually pretty good at distance running. I enjoy it. In fact, I don’t really start to enjoy […]
Reading Like a Writer
For a long time I thought reading like a writer meant simply reading a lot. That’s part of it. However, while reading is critical for writers, passively absorbing stories isn’t […]
Reading for a Literary Journal Will Make You a Better Writer
The best way to improve your own writing is to read the work of others. That may seem like a no-brainer. We all read. But if you only read published work you are missing out on something magical. Reading for a journal is a special kind of education.
Buddhism
Two women with bibles in their hands just knocked on my door.
They kindly asked if I struggled with anxiety, and suggested that I reference my bible Matthew 6:18 for some guidance on how to deal with it. I thanked them (because we all deal with anxiety) and I told them we’re a buddhist household.