I told you I was inspired to go on adventures! My monthly contribution to the Writers Vineyard describes an epic journey through the Sloggy Parts: So instead of "revising," I'm off with my companions the Redundant Repetitive Phrase Demolisher and the Elegant Prose Protector, and we are on an adventure through the Sloggy Parts, ready … Continue reading Adventures in the Sloggy Parts
Inspiration, Part 2
Maybe I should do a whole series on finding inspiration, as right now, it seems to be everywhere. I'm reading voraciously to help develop what my old psychology professors might call a "felt sense" of the middle-grade reader. On a whim I picked up The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster from the Ellensburg Public Library. I … Continue reading Inspiration, Part 2
Inspiration for adventure
Every writer, every artist in another "official" medium, and every artist of life in general, needs inspiration. The good news is, inspiration is everywhere. The trick is to recognize it when we see it. Today I saw inspiration in a new friend of mine. J. is about five feet tall, and weighs something like one … Continue reading Inspiration for adventure
Forgiveness Haiku
When I teach graduate students about writing master's theses and doctoral dissertations, I ask them to write a haiku that describes their topics. I tell them: if you can't put your topic into a haiku, you don't know it well enough yet. So, as I'm working on the structure of The Law of Immediate Forgiveness, … Continue reading Forgiveness Haiku
Review of An Alien’s Guide on Long and Short Reviews: Four Stars!
Shameless "tooting one's own horn" alert: An Alien's Guide to World Domination received a four-star review on Long and Short Reviews. Read it all here. Best of all? It's thrilling to know this story touched a reader. I hope I never get over being floored by that.
Memory, Today
Memorial Day reminds us all of some of the more important qualities of memory. I attended a reading by author and Honorary Consul General Helen Szablya recently; she and her family escaped Hungary as the Soviets were crushing the people's uprising in the 1950's. The terror of their escape still present in her eyes, Mrs. … Continue reading Memory, Today
A beautiful place
Near Naches, Washington, after a furious rainstorm cleared the air and our minds.
Getting Re-acquainted
My contribution to the Writers' Vineyard this month is about getting re-acquainted with the story I wrote last fall as I help it seek an audience. Update: the agent I met with at the Write on the River conference this weekend wants me to send her the first 3 chapters! Guess what I'm doing this … Continue reading Getting Re-acquainted
Alien-y Images from Ken Vensel
My friend and amazing photographic artist Ken Vensel generously gave me permission to share a bit of his work. I spent hours this morning considering what to say about these images, but in the end, I think their otherwordly-quality speaks for itself. See more of Ken's outrageously beautiful work on his Facebook page, KCVensel Photography.
A good day starts with “what if…?”
A story starts with an idea. An idea that usually comes in the form of a question: “What if…?” What if misfits here on Earth turned out to be beings from other planets, all trying to figure out how to fit in? What if alien CEO’s were just as incompetent as many Earth bosses? What … Continue reading A good day starts with “what if…?”
Elizabeth Fountain, Author 