Just started back to work on a nonfiction book that I haven't touched in 4 years.  For the last three weeks, I've done minimal writing (if making lists counts) because I finished a novel draft I've been working on for a while.  Jumping into a new book or a long-neglected one is, for me, like jumping […] Read More

Just arrived here at Doe Branch Ink, to be the writer-in-residence with four other writers for a week of mostly writing and some feedback and critiquing sessions, plus a lot of hanging out. I did one of these weeks last fall and it was like a literary houseparty, people tapping away on their keyboards here and there […] Read More

This could be the Halloween season when you finally see a real ghost. If you're wanting more adventure than simply handing candy out the door, check out this opportunity: bargains on haunted hotels, from Vermont to San Diego.  I have long wanted to see a ghost — wanted that kind of proof of some sort […] Read More

Think you go through a  lot to get your dream projects to work?  Have a look at the story of Robert Evans, one of most successful (and flamboyant and notorious) movie producers ever. Last night I watched the documentary version of his bio, titled The Kid Stays in the Picture.  This guy whose credits, as producer or […] Read More

Lately I've found myself feeling uneasy about the prospect of posting here.  The reason is:  I've gotten pretty irregular about it, have lost the rhythm, and have to get myself cranked up anew each time.   Sorta like going back to writing after some time away:  it's always harder to re-start than it is to just keep going.  […] Read More

In the New York Times tomorrow (Sunday, Oct. 16,) my essay will appear on the grievous wound I suffered at age sixteen when I didn't get into "brainy-teen camp," formally known as North Carolina Governor's School. At age sixty-two, I'm still irked that I didn't get to go. My story is about how that has […] Read More

    A few times a year, my clinical psychologist husband holds a one-day seminar on self-hypnosis.  The next one, held at our house near Chapel Hill, NC, is "Love Skills: Hypnotically Enhanced Intimacy."   A personal story:  When Bob and I first started getting serious about 30 years ago, I said to my very protective brother Franc, […] Read More

An example of serious courage:  at a McDonald's I drove-through fairly late one night last week an apparently-teenage girl with a heavy Spanish accent was taking the orders, taking the money, making the change, pumping the milkshake, handing out the bag, handling one customer's money while taking another's order — all in a language that is foreign to her.  […] Read More

Once upon a time, I parasailed (twice!) over the bay at Puerta Vallarta.  That took no gumption at all; I was stupid at the time.  However  a current activity of mine is drawing on my reserves of daring:  I'm keeping the financial books for my husband's psychotherapy practice, since he left a large practice and went solo […] Read More

  I'm looking for people  who had an early rejection or discouraging word (“such as "you’ll never be any good at…”) that continued to spur them in their adult careers.  I want to briefly interview people who have benefited from the I’ll-show-‘em effect.  I'm pretty well covered in the writer/fine arts/musician category.  I especially need people […] Read More