Here's something I mentioned in one of my classes today... Just a theory I'm working on. I'd argue that throughout any given literary movement (or, more generally, artistic movement), there's an ongoing debate of many, many voices, each representing a slightly different approach to defining and realizing the ideals of that movement. The debate isn't…Read more Evolution
writing tips
Make Things Happen: Writing Tips from an Eight-Year-Old
In the latest episode of my podcast, a misunderstanding leads me to interview an award-winning eight-year-old author and her younger sister. Later, their father reveals how his own childhood trauma has informed their creativity. The younger sister then rounds things off by explaining how to make pot holders. The episode ends with a musical remix…Read more Make Things Happen: Writing Tips from an Eight-Year-Old
Inexplicable Need
In the latest installment of my podcast, "Inexplicable Need: An Interview with Shaun Haurin," I get into a heated discussion with a former student about how to address a former professor and also about the title of one of my favorite short story collections. I then interview Shaun Haurin, the author of the collection, and…Read more Inexplicable Need
The Magic Colon
As you may have guessed from the lack of posts on my blog lately, I'm gearing up for another semester of teaching. This semester, I'm trying to put together a few mini-lessons on writing for an online section of ENG 101 that I picked up at the last minute. Here's a lesson on effective titles…Read more The Magic Colon
Using the Elevator Pitch for Editing
The elevator pitch can be more than a marketing tool. In fact, it can be the star that guides you through the countless rounds of revision you do before the manuscript goes in front of an agent or editor -- and the countless more you'll do after it's been accepted for publication.
All of Us Can Write Beautifully: An Interview with Maxine Hong Kingston
"I come from immigrant parents and am always trying to bring two cultures together, always trying to find where the common ground is."
