It's Banned Books Week. As an avid reader of all kinds of books, I find it tremendously disturbing that any one person or group would seek to control what I choose to read. As an author, I would consider it a high compliment if my work sparked an attempt to ban it. That means its … Continue reading Read a banned book today
life
How to start fall
Now read that title carefully - that's how to start fall, as in the season, not how to start a fall, like Chevy Chase. Depending on what source you consult (and believe), autumn began either this past Saturday, Sunday, or today. It is marked by an equinox - a day in which light and dark … Continue reading How to start fall
Stories of luck, life, and love
This month kicks off two new features here on Point No Point: Thirteen Good Luck Stories, on the 13th of each month, and Fictional Lessons for All-Too-Real Life, on the 30th of each month. "Every day, good luck comes in the strangest of ways." This line from a song by British singer-songwriter-slide guitar master Chris … Continue reading Stories of luck, life, and love
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.
The heart of your story
This month, my contribution to the Writers' Vineyard is about finding the heart of your story. Not just the story you want to publish, but the story you want to live: If we focus on what is essential about ourselves as writers, we can let the rest go. Follow all the suggestions and feedback we … Continue reading The heart of your story
The Joys of Waiting
I hate waiting. Most people I know hate waiting. Life is full of waiting: we wait for loved ones to come home, we wait for movies to start, we wait in lines at groceries, banks, or the DMV. We wait to hear the results of tests at school, and the results of tests about our … Continue reading The Joys of Waiting
The spirituality of goats, and Elmore Leonard
I love goats. It's entirely abstract, this love of mine, because I've never owned or had to care for an actual goat. I've met a few, scratched their funny goat ears, and been slightly unnerved by their spooky goat eyes. I love that they can bring to mind the devil and unchecked lust, or they can … Continue reading The spirituality of goats, and Elmore Leonard
Death, Heaven, God, and Sci-Fi
In the last couple of weeks I've experienced two descriptions of powerful mystical visions of death, heaven, and God: one from the Catholic church, and one from Robert Heinlein. I attended a funeral mass at a church run by Carmelite brothers, the same week I finished reading Heinlein's Job: A Comedy of Justice. While they … Continue reading Death, Heaven, God, and Sci-Fi
When Life Hands You Lemons, Just Add More Cowbell
I don't know why I chose that title, except that it made me giggle. I wanted to write and post this piece a few days ago, after a Friday night spent listening to my friends in Avolition play one of their best sets ever at a local wine shop, Gard Vintners. (It might have been … Continue reading When Life Hands You Lemons, Just Add More Cowbell
What to Expect When You’re Expecting (a book): Absolutely Nothing
In my July contribution to The Writers' Vineyard, I propose a helpful workshop for newly published, first-time authors: Expect Absolutely Nothing. Read it all here, and find out what you might miss while waiting for that first breathless National Public Radio interview.
Elizabeth Fountain, Author 