Monthly Archives: April 2010

if I loved you

Posted on April 30, 2010 by

When I heard that Robin Black was going to be the Sirenland Fellow for 2009 and that she had published a story in One Story, I moved quickly to my back issues and began to thumb through. I only save … Continue reading →

Posted in first sentences, Sirenland, stories | Tagged | 8 Comments

the birthday of an author

Posted on April 29, 2010 by

Today is the birthday of an author of a book–Robin Black. Her last birthday she was not the author of a book. Just like that it can happen. And get your pencils out. You need to write this one down … Continue reading →

Posted in catching moments, journeys, stories, the day | Tagged | 10 Comments

what it is like

Posted on April 28, 2010 by

Yesterday I mailed my fourth packet to my adviser. Every four weeks I complete one. That’s how most low-residency MFA programs work. Packets. Plus the twice-a-year residencies. I wrote a post in January about my first residency at the Vermont … Continue reading →

Posted in journeys, mfa | Tagged | 14 Comments

the water is wide

Posted on April 24, 2010 by

Edinburgh, the first novel by Alexander Chee, is the best book I’ve read so far this year. The subject matter is difficult, but the writing–with its repetitions, its wondrous quality, its innocence–lures the reader forward. “Blue. Blue because it’s the … Continue reading →

Posted in first novels, form, recurring images, structure | Tagged | 17 Comments

four women and a sheep

Posted on April 22, 2010 by

One of the great things about writing workshops is meeting other writers. At Sirenland this year, I met four other writers with blogs, which makes them easy to introduce to you. Meet Aaryn, Sariah, Jude, and Renee: Aaryn Belfer at … Continue reading →

Posted in journeys, Sirenland | Tagged | 12 Comments

iWorld

Posted on April 19, 2010 by

My husband said, “But why do you need the iPad?” “I don’t,” I said. But I love it. It’s so cool. It will replace the Kindle for me, I think. For one reason, the background is lit. So I don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in accumulation, reading | Tagged | 20 Comments

evidence

Posted on April 15, 2010 by

In honor of National Poetry Month, I finished Mary Oliver‘s Evidence, which I’ve been reading in bits and pieces since October. I enjoyed it, but I have to admit I’m not really a nature woman. Still, I loved the ending of … Continue reading →

Posted in poetry | Tagged | 12 Comments

the conversation

Posted on April 13, 2010 by

Last spring I was trying to find a way to thank readers who took the time to add to the conversation here. One Story, I thought. For one year, I would send the reader who posted the most comments for … Continue reading →

Posted in journals, reading, stories | Tagged | 6 Comments

no longer what I want

Posted on April 9, 2010 by

The new issue of Contrary Magazine is online with my review of Kim Wright‘s first novel, Love in Mid Air. Here’s the first paragraph of the review: As a plane heads down a runway, a stranger reaches for the Narrator’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Contrary, first novels, my writing, reviews | Tagged | 7 Comments

starting with the moment

Posted on April 8, 2010 by

Here’s where I am right now, sitting in the chair behind my green computer, on Blue Mountain Beach, in Florida, for spring break. I have a list of things I want to post about. It’s on that table somewhere, on … Continue reading →

Posted in catching moments, the day | Tagged | 12 Comments