The participants of NaNoWriMo (and congratulations to you all, whether you hit 50,000 words or not) now have the editing to do. Like childbirth, getting the new creation out is only the first part of the job. Next comes the sorting and training, the snipping and shearing, dressing up and dressing down. For those of […]
Treasure by Lani Longshore Read More »
It’s official – everyone is writing now. Six classes of elementary students in San Jose are officially part of NaNoWriMo, and there are 2000 classrooms across the country participating. Forget about being smarter than a fifth-grader – are you more disciplined than a sixth-grader? Given that I didn’t actually sign up for NaNoWriMo, I have
NaNoWriMo and me (not) by Lani Longshore Read More »
In some circles, I am known for the sweetness of my nature. My family has a different story to tell, especially after I’ve tried to make my way through a technical manual. My language becomes anything but sweet, my expression resembles a Halloween mask, and my husband reminds me to breathe by saying, “In through
The irony gods must be laughing by Lani Longshore Read More »
An ancient Egyptian maxim reads: “It is good to speak to the future; it shall listen.” The Egyptians honored scribes – writers – and even gave them to the care of Thoth, who was also the god of knowledge and truth. We should take instruction – and comfort – from ancient writers, and speak our
Speak to the future by Lani Longshore Read More »
Even with good maps and detailed directions, I get lost. My husband gave me a GPS for Christmas, which has cut down the number of times I miss turns because I can’t read the street signs. As much as I value my map-reading skills, having Miss MapVoice tell me “turn left now” has proven more
The GPS I Want by Lani Longshore Read More »
One of the advantages of having an unusual name is that you pay attention when you hear it. Or read it, as happened when I ran across the term longshore drift. The phrase has something to do with the accumulation of sand along a beach. The proper definition matters less to me than the juxtaposition
Longshore Drift by Lani Longshore Read More »
Jamuna Advani received honorable mention for
TVW members published on-line Read More »
Some writers keep a file of plot ideas, or characters they want to explore. Some have whole scenes written, waiting for the right project to wrap around them. I have a list of titles waiting for a story. Some come from placards. Museums are great places to get title ideas – I found Nodding Onion
Title-driven writing by Lani Longshore Read More »
Where did all the commas go, long time passing? Where did all the commas go-o, long time ago? Where did all the commas go? Gone to hyphens every one. When will they ever learn; when will they e-e-ver learn? Elaine Schmitz wrote that for our critique group after I sent them this quote from the
Where have all the commas gone by Lani Longshore Read More »
A new year is a good time to give thanks, and I give thanks to literature. After all, I owe my existence to a novel. My mother’s people are Russian pacifists. Late in the 19th century their commitment to peace clashed with the Tsar’s commitment to a large army, with predictable results. Leo Tolstoy was
The Count, the Quakers, the Queen, and me by Lani Longshore Read More »
