Images

“Picture this…” a friend begins to set a scene in your mind. As you listen, they build up the setting.

Horror

I’ve made it all the way to my 8th post without making a recommendation. Here be my first…

Grammar

Shall we take a short deviation from grammar? NO. There are some folks who think grammar is unnecessary and stifling. I’ll tell you (IMHO) that it is as important as ever.

Fluency

When we ask too much of the reader, they revert to word calling or parsing at best. At worst, they focus so intently on each syllable or phonetic sound that they are taken completely outside the text. Don’t send your reader away!

Exercise

Punctuation, creative ideas, chronological writing, detailed writing, concise writing (paring it down with repeated removal of extraneous words), and other exercises make us a more balanced writer.

Darkness

A piece would be boring and unfulfilling without some sort of chiaroscuro (light vs dark) to bring out the characters, the story line, and our own investment in reading.

Cycles

We’ve lost momentum and really don’t know where to pick it up again. I’ve been in that mode. While at times we do need to step away and let our subconscious work, don’t get stuck.

Beginning

Sharing your ideas will evolve out of your introspection. Simply having an idea or opinion is not enough to expound to others. What is the point?

Amazed

My distinction as ArtRoot Writer-in-Residence #19 follows in the penciled furrows of notable authors and poets. I am amazed at the support and faith of the creative community in Racine and Kenosha.

#25: A note to Racine

This post marks my last as Racine’s writer in residence. The past six months have provided a point of connection through poetry, to Racine and to others. The position has also offered me an opportunity to care for my own writing, to give it time and attention. I sought to use the writer-in-residence designation as…