In honor of National Poetry Month, here's a poem I wrote in a Hugo House class a little over a year ago. (I told you, I'm not a poet.) This is a forwards-backwards poem - you can pick which you like best. Her hand moves across the page, abandoning the words as she writes them. … Continue reading I’m not a poet
Ferraro-Mondale
Nineteen eighty-four. The title of the novel by George Orwell, and my sophomore year at college. That autumn's presidential election saw the first ever woman nominated on a major party ticket - Geraldine Ferraro. She was tapped by Walter Mondale to run as his vice-presidential candidate. It was the first presidential election since I was … Continue reading Ferraro-Mondale
Recalibrating
Just finished a "short" story I started writing last fall. It's a lot different than my usual writing voice, a bit on the dark side, and one of the longer stories I've written. Here's a short excerpt that seems to resonate with current world events. My editor friend suggests, quite gently, that there is no point … Continue reading Recalibrating
Go read Sherman Alexie…now
Hearing Sherman Alexie (http://www.fallsapart.com/) speak about life and writing and books and read from his upcoming sequel to The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian tonight was a healing experience - he was funny, irreverent, touching, gifted, and above all generous. Alexie is one of the finest writers working today. Go find anything he's written … Continue reading Go read Sherman Alexie…now
On the Mountaintop
The second of two stories I submitted to the Richard Hugo House winter new works contest is posted here. She lay there on the mountaintop, staring at the stars. Okay, it wasn’t exactly a mountaintop. It was a pretty big hill, though; one covered in scrub and stones, and she had climbed to the top … Continue reading On the Mountaintop
The Archive Project
There's a new excerpt from the novel - click on The Book page to read the whole thing. This is how the excerpt starts; it is the beginning of the novel; or so it seems... Chapter One: The Archive Project The night everything changed for Louise Armstrong Holliday, her mind was filled with one thought: This … Continue reading The Archive Project
Roughing it up
Have I mentioned before that Richard Hugo House is the best place for writers in Seattle, probably in the U.S., and possibly in the world? I took another great writing workshop there, Very Short Tales taught by Angela Fountas, a chance to use some of the conventions of fairy tales to play around with our … Continue reading Roughing it up
Heroes
Hero: a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal. (dictionary.reference.com) Real heroes don't ride in on white horses to save the day. They are not inspired by ego, by the need to be thanked, recognized, or rewarded; they are … Continue reading Heroes
Morning in America
This is one of two short stories I submitted to the Richard Hugo House winter new works contest. The other is currently on the Stories page. Morning in America I’m a real American, the kind who was born here. Fought for my country in ‘Nam. Came back to rejection and scorn. Hit the bottle. Hit … Continue reading Morning in America
Grace and faith
It's a new year, and time to get back to working on The Book. I've posted a new excerpt (read it on The Book page), one that seems especially appropriate for the spirit of renewal that takes over (we hope) this time of year. It's about grace. Grace can find us at the oddest times, … Continue reading Grace and faith
Elizabeth Fountain, Author 