My interest in this kind of story could be defined as obsessive. What can be more obsessive than something you’ve lost or something you feel you never completely had? Novels about families and other groups fascinate me because my family never quite cohered and split apart pretty fast. So I read to replace it with a better family, though my secret wish is to see that all families or groups of closely connected people have…
I’m having a happy poet week! That’s the one in which you have two poems floating around out there in front of reading eyes (presumably), and you feel the wind under your wings to carry you to some new ideas. Autumn Sky Poetry Daily has today posted my poem, “Prayers for Everywhere.” This is the last poem in my book Gods of Water and Air. I put it in that position because I feel a…
I don’t usually write movie reviews, mainly because I rarely go to the movies. Since I bought a big screen television and an Apple box and can watch films at home, I now decide whether to see movies in the theater by how much I want their sights and sounds to overwhelm me. As soon as I heard there was going to at last be a movie of Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece musical Into the Woods,…
It seems like a good time to consider tolerance and all its meanings, especially for those of us who write and can give voice to the need for it. The dictionary defines tolerance as: “willingness to accept feelings, habits, or beliefs that are different from your own.” I think the key word here is “willingness” — an open mind. Last year I joined the staff of Tiferet, a journal founded on the principle of tolerance…
I don’t want to finish revising my novel, The Renaissance Club, because then I will have to leave the Italy in my mind. Unless I can conjure up another Italy-centered project or a plane ticket, it’s my best form of travel these days, the armchair, or should I say deskchair variety of touring. And there are only two distant places I’ve ever visited: India and Italy. Of the two, it’s more comfortable by far to…
I’ve been reading around some of my favorite blogs, from Indiana Review’s blog on Five Marks of Oft-Rejected Poems, to Erica Goss at Sticks and Stones writing about the Open Mic Experience (both reader and audience sides). One of the things I LOVE doing as a writer is reading what other writers have to say about their process — whether it’s writing, revising, publishing, reading, promoting, or reading. And this holiday season seems to bring…
I’m delighted to have a new poem, “Better Angel,” up in the current issue of Antiphon, an online literary journal based in England. Described as “providing a showcase for the best in contemporary British and international poetry,” Antiphon presents its issues in four “acts” — a dramatic conceit I find engaging, as a playwright. The idea that each issue builds a story, reaches a climax, and has a conclusion is satisfying to me. Also satisfying…
Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, and Christmas share a common theme: divine Light. When the short days and winter weather keep us more indoors, it’s natural to turn within more too. Poetry is such a joy at this enclosed season! I have a wonderful stack of books on my table from recent readings and friends’ publications. I’ve so far spent two solid days just reading — what a real writer’s treat. For holiday gift giving (through December…
I am very grateful for a writing life. The city of gratitude for poetry and poets on my head is bigger than the Beach Blanket Babylon lady’s San Francisco hat. Like the BBB hat lady, I mentally wear a city of poets, writers, and literary projects for whose support and connection I’m immensely grateful. This year, I’m especially grateful to: * John Amen and The Pedestal Magazine & Ann Wehrman’s review of my book, Gods…
I’m very excited about participating in a launch reading this coming Sunday for the new issue of Atlanta Review, published and edited by Dan Veach, poet, editor, author of Elephant Water, musician/composer, and orchid grower extraordinaire. We will read from the new issue, as well as from past issues. I’m reading my AR poem, “Ode to My Purse.” Who knew that so many AR poets lived in the Bay Area! I guess poet Kathleen McClung…