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.
writing
The Journey: an experiment
In The Law of Immediate Forgiveness, the story I'm revising to prepare for submitting to agents and publishers later this summer, Amy June and her Grandpa take a road trip from central Washington to South Dakota. This is a trip I've never done myself, so I asked friends and family who have to contribute their … Continue reading The Journey: an experiment
Worlds of the Imagination – Guest Blogger
Today, I'm hosted by some of the lovely writers, imagination pioneers, and fellow Champagne Book Group authors over at their blog Worlds of the Imagination. Take a gander, and check out their work while you're there! Here's a teaser: Suddenly the story came to life, and I began to explore the ways science fiction and … Continue reading Worlds of the Imagination – Guest Blogger
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
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
My desk – on Rita Bay’s blog!
Fellow author Rita Bay - Champagne Book Group's Author of the Year, mind you! - kindly let me visit her blog today to show off my "author's desk." Hint: It's not in my little apartment... An Author's Desk: Elizabeth Fountain - Rita Bay's Blog While you're there, check out her delightful books, including a preview … Continue reading My desk – on Rita Bay’s blog!
Some Old Ideas – a teaser
I'm thrilled to say I finally sent off the short story, Some Old Ideas, for another anthology - this one's all about sci-fi. Thrilled because the story's done, and because, well, I must confess I like the way it turned out. Here's a teaser, but you'll have to wait a while for the whole thing … Continue reading Some Old Ideas – a teaser
Yes. This.
Thank you World Book Night for this photo-quote from Norton Juster's beautiful masterpiece, The Phantom Tollbooth. This is what An Alien's Guide is really about.
Elizabeth Fountain, Author 