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For no good reason.

The other night I watched Bridges of Madison County for no good reason. Other than the fact that I remember it being one of my mother’s favorite movies. And maybe it’s because we’re coming up on Mother’s Day or the near-beginning of summer when I have more time to think. Or perhaps it’s because plenty has happened in the last year that I would like to discuss. I reach into strange places in hopes of finding her. Like Madison County. She was never anywhere near Iowa, though, and not at all like Meryl Streep’s character, Francesca–not from another country. Though there were times when she stood out in a crowd as if she spoke with an accent, when she was attractive in the most plain of dress. And there were dreams that she gave up in the course of her life. I see it now. I am twelve years old, sitting in the auditorium at the community college where she takes Theater. I am watching her up on stage during rehearsals for a play where she is Star of the Show. She is electric under the lights: brilliant and powerful, funny and full of character. Later, she will win an award. But after that season, she won’t go back. I don’t remember why. Only that she quit taking classes. Only that she grew quiet again. And those months become a separate season of my mother in color, a season I was privy to somehow. Privileged. To see her under the lights.

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Designs for the New Year: Writing Opportunities in 2017

“The writing career is not a romantic one. The writer’s life may be colorful, but his work itself is rather drab.” ~ Mary Roberts Rinehart

img_0012Hey now, come on, Mary. Writing may not be romantic (though when I type with fingerless gloves I feel very “Jane Austen”), but drab is a little strong. Let’s say painful, gut-wrenching, #ThisPenHatesMe, sure. “Woman found sobbing over red ink and word counts,” yes. But drab? Nope.

If you find yourself in the bla-bla-bla’s of a blank page, you may be in need of a boost in morale, a prompt for inspiration, a bit of camaraderie–a workshop, a course, or an official writers’ huddle.

The Workshop
Join me face-to-face for FLASH MEMOIR.

pexels-photo-204511Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, 9:30am-noon at the Red Oak Writing tables (11709 W. Cleveland Ave., West Allis, WI). We will define the purpose of memoir and the memoir essay (there is a difference!), look at traditional and nontraditional forms, and talk about strategies for turning a personal experience or story into flash (1,000 words or fewer). We’ll also put pen to paper–because we learn best when we engage with the page! $50. REGISTER via Red Oak HERE.

The Course
Join me ONLINE for in-depth learning on FLASH NONFICTION.

Drawing of online connectionThis 4-week course runs from February 5-March 4, 2017. We will tap into books, videos, podcasts, and samples of great flash nonfiction. We’ll learn about techniques that make this powerful genre work, then put these techniques into practice through writing exercises and peer critique. At the end of the course, you’ll leave with a better understanding of flash nonfiction as a whole, a list of resources for further study and submission ideas, and several new pieces of work under your belt. $90. Information on discounted fees & registration HERE.

The Huddle
Strength in Numbers with THE WRITERS’ COLLECTIVE.

Another great in-person workshop at Red Oak, taught Kim Suhr on Saturday, February 25, 2017, 9:30am-noon. Here’s the description from the website:

Red Oak Writing logoWould you like to increase readership of your book, website or blog? Are you better at singing others’ praises than your own? Are you willing to spread the word about other writers’ work in exchange for expanded exposure?

Spend the morning building a collaborative publicity plan with others who are committed to helping your audience grow. Participants must be willing to promote each other throughout a six-month period. Those who make one “touch” for every member of the group will appear on a “Featured Writers” page at our website with links to their blog, Amazon page, etc. Group limit strictly held at 12 members.

$50. Register for the Writers’ Collective via Red Oak HERE.

And with that, folks, we’re barely into March. Drab is so 2016.
Sign up and get writing in 2017!

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Redirect >> Flash Nonfiction: The Online Course

Qwert_getting-funky-300x300There are certain stories my gut wants me to put down on paper.

But, I’ve struggled to transform the power of certain memories into words on the page. My early drafts read long and convoluted and nothing like what I envisioned: a brief moment of connection, where I take the hand of the reader say, Let me tell you this one thing, and ask, Can you relate?

I’m on Cadmium Read today talking about the flash nonfiction course I will be teaching online.

Pop on over, read the introduction to the course, and find out what we’ll discuss during those four weeks. Then, register through the Cadmium Read shopping cart. The course begins April 5th, the fee is only $65, and the experience won’t be the same without YOU.

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