Too much of my state is on fire again this summer. The six hundred-plus residents of the small town of Pateros had to evacuate last night, and I understand somewhere around one hundred of their homes won't be there when they return. From the cool joy of talking and learning about writing and books over … Continue reading Do good with a good book
hope
Let’s try it.
Here's an idea: we are writing our own stories, moment by moment, day by day. Let's try to write one together, one in which the spring news from our schools is all about commencements - new beginnings, celebrations, the promise of the future. In this tale, the only thing that ends as the school year … Continue reading Let’s try it.
The power of story: In thanks to Maya Angelou
You, Jane releases next week, a story about the power of storytelling. Not just to reflect reality, but to create it, in all its glorious havoc and wicked humor. Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is one of the first books I can remember reading that had the same effect. I think I … Continue reading The power of story: In thanks to Maya Angelou
Memories Day
On Memorial Day we are asked to pause and remember those who lost their lives in service. I spent last weekend with a man who has lost much of his memory. As a member of ROTC and the Los Angeles police force in his younger days, his service credentials are well established. His mind is … Continue reading Memories Day
Or do it anyway.
In honor of our annual celebration of MLK Jr's contributions, I read through some of his more famous quotes. This one spoke to me today. “Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict … Continue reading Or do it anyway.
On September 11
On a day so bittersweet in our history, a day when we saw the best and worst of humanity side by side, just a brief thought: Never forget, most assuredly, never forget. Always remember the power of love.
More love, less hate
My monthly contribution to the Writers Vineyard is less about writing and more about a simple lesson we already know well: More love, less hate. Here's an excerpt: As I listened to news coverage of the bombings at the Boston Marathon, and the investigation and pursuit of suspects that followed, forgiveness wasn’t uppermost in my … Continue reading More love, less hate
Here’s to the helpers
Ascribed by multiple sources to Fred Rogers, this message is worth sharing at the end of a difficult week in our world: "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'" Helpers … Continue reading Here’s to the helpers
Fearless Hearts and Great Pumpkins, Redux
I know it's cheating, but I really like this little post from Halloween two years ago. Because I think Linus has a fearless heart, and that's the lesson of the Great Pumpkin: let go of disappointment and let yourself hope (or love) again, no matter how ridiculous it seems to the Lucy's of this world. … Continue reading Fearless Hearts and Great Pumpkins, Redux
While I was indoors…
While I was inside a hotel conference center for four days trying to find a home for the novel, some other important stuff was going on in the world. Those days saw some of the most beautiful summer weather the Seattle area has seen since, well, it feels like since the last century. Early August … Continue reading While I was indoors…
Elizabeth Fountain, Author 