Who writes a travel memoir and doesn't include photos? Well, Committed: A Memoir of the Artist's Road is consistent with other literary memoirs in that the burden is on the author to place you in the scene solely via prose. But we all love pictures, right? That's why I was thrilled to be invited to participate …
Continue reading Traveling the Artist’s Road: A Photo Collection
BOSTON -- The fireworks didn't come during the panel session, which is a good thing, because every square inch of the floor was covered by attendees. Pyrotechnics in rooms violating fire codes never end well. But the figurative fireworks came that night, assisted with alcohol. I refer here to the third rail of our modern …
Continue reading AWP Nugget: The Bubbling Debate over Self-Publishing
BOSTON -- If you're given an hour to sit down and listen to two Nobel-Prize-winning writers, you do so. I am still in my infancy when it comes to my understanding and appreciation of poetry and poets, but I made a point to attend the Thursday evening 8:30 pm keynote with Seamus Heaney and Derek …
Continue reading AWP Nugget: Takeaways from Nobel Laureates Seamus Heaney and Derek Walcott
BOSTON -- One emotion I have always felt at the AWP creative writers conference is jealousy. Jealousy of the talent and success of the panelists and readers. Jealousy of the way so many writer attendees approach literary editors on the Bookfair floor without fear. But, mostly, jealousy of how so many attendees have made the …
Continue reading AWP Nugget: Hey Writers, Let’s Meet Up in Person in Seattle in 2014!
This is your chance, dear readers, to weigh in on the types of posts you'll see over the next year on The Artist's Road. I've arranged below a list of categories into which Artist's Road posts could most comfortably be fit. It's a bit of a challenge, because while this blog has a theme--living the …
Continue reading What Would You Like to See on The Artist’s Road?
Because you have too few demands for your attention, I present to you six links on writing and creativity I tweeted this week. Enjoy! "Is Blogging a Time-Suck for Writers?" Jody Hedlund: I can answer that question in one word: yes. But as Jody points out, every investment has some return. "What Are You Blogging …
What do you do when you have all of the answers on how to maximize your personal creativity--and you're an inspiration for others in this regard--and yet you don't fully practice that advice in your own life? It's an age-old problem. We know what we should eat in moderation (bacon) and yet, there we are, …
Continue reading Resisting the 3 Steps to Embracing Your Muse
I have a dilemma. True, it's a conundrum I don't have to solve for another six months, but forgive me. Being here at my MFA residency on the campus of the Vermont College of Fine Arts is firing both my left and right brains, and that left brain is in deep planning mode for my …
You shouldn't be reading blogs right now. It's spring. Go outside and frolic in the grass. You can read these links later, in bed, while recovering from your allergy attack. CREATIVITY "4 Secrets of Great Critical Thinkers," Paul J. H. Schoemaker, Inc.: I'm shocked "Eat bacon" isn't on the list. "Slow down" is. "9 Inspirational …
Today I'm giving you a sneak peek at some of the curriculum of "Writing Compelling Blog Posts," a six-week workshop I'm leading at The Writer's Center in Bethesda, Maryland, starting next Tuesday, April 17th. Unlike most classes on blogging, we won't be discussing SEO optimization or social-media promotion. The course is, instead, a true writing …
The Artist's Road 