I’m in the middle of teaching a ten week course called “Writing the Healing Story” at UCLA Extension plus conducting the monthly writing workshop at the Wellness Community in Redondo Beach. I swear a certain kind of person takes a creative writing course or signs up for a workshop. I don’t mean to generalize, but…
teaching writing
teaching writing
Quotes
by Barbara Abercrombie • • 1 Comment
“I felt that everything I wanted to write was somehow coagulating in my veins and making me fidgety and slow. Then after a while I didn’t have anything to write anyhow, but I still had the fidgets. I felt useless, no matter how many diapers I washed or strollers I pushed….” – Anne Tyler, “Still…
teaching writing
To Do:
by Barbara Abercrombie • • 0 Comments
Write about your father. Start with the words: My father is a man who….. (It might turn into a letter, poem, or anecdote to give to your father next Sunday on Father’s Day. Or, if your father is gone, it could turn into a memory to give to your kids or your grandkids.)
teaching writing
quote of the week
by Barbara Abercrombie • • 0 Comments
“Writing is magic, as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink. Drink and be filled up.” Stephen King
teaching writing
the writing clinic
by Barbara Abercrombie • • 5 Comments
From Monica: 1. How do you maintain the voice as you write a longer piece? I’ve been trying to work on a novel, but I can’t seem to hold on to the tone through the whole thing. 2. Also, everyone says to edit your work down–what if your pieces tend to be too short, and…
teaching writing
Getting Started As A Writer
by Barbara Abercrombie • • 16 Comments
ArtsDay LA was held Saturday on campus – kind of a buffet of panels celebrating the arts taught at UCLA Extension. I had a dream panel – novelist Kerry Madden (Gentle’s Holler), playwright, director and actor Leon Martell (The History Of Fairfax According to a Sandwich) and novelist Noel Alumit (Letters to Montgomery Clift). All of them terrific writers, very articulate and passionate about teaching, and very funny. The subject of our panel was “Getting Started As A Writer”. The thing about getting together with other Writers’ Program instructors is that you learn as much as anybody in the audience. At least I did; I took notes as they talked. Before doing the panel we shared experiences of – shall we say, less than celebrity status appearances at bookstores. Tragedy plus time equals humor (according to Carol Burnett) so we laughed a lot about those readings when just one person shows up (with his dog), or it turns into a one-on-one with the bookstore manager, or a loudspeaker in a big chain bookstore announces “Author on aisle three!” like you’re a box of soap. (to continue reading, click on the title above)
teaching writing
The Writing Clinic
by Barbara Abercrombie • • 4 Comments
We’re starting a new feature next week called The Writing Clinic. You’re invited to send in any problems you’re having with your writing, general or specific, and we’ll do our best to answer them, or at least open them up for discussion. You can send your questions/problems by clicking on the comment button below (you don’t have to use your real name) or by sending us an e-mail at StuartandCharlotte@yahoo.com. (To continue reading, click on the title above.)
teaching writing
guilty pleasures
by Barbara Abercrombie • • 3 Comments
The Edward R. Hamilton Super Bargain Book catalog (“All Items in This Catalog Are $3.95 or Less!”) just arrived in the mail. My heart pounds, I start going through it checking books to order. I have a lot to do today, new courses to work on, editing a new book, etc. Plus I have no more space in any of the bookcases which now cover most of the walls in my house. But like a true addict I rationalize my behavior. Next week is my birthday … to read the rest of the post, click on the title
teaching writing
nominate us!
by Barbara Abercrombie • • 3 Comments
If you’ve been enjoying your subscription to Writing Time, nominate us as a Writers Digest Top 101 Website. It’s easy. Just send an email to:
writersdig@fwpubs.com
Put “Writers Digest Top 101 Websites for Writers” in the subject line and ask them to consider WritingTime.net as one of top 101 Websites for Writers for 2006. Thank you!!
teaching writing
quote of the week
by Barbara Abercrombie • • 0 Comments
“Working writers aren’t those who have eliminated their anxiety. They are the ones who keep scribbling while their heart races and their stomach churns, and who mail manuscripts with trembling fingers.” Ralph Keyes (The Courage to Write)
“Rejection is a process, not an event.” Carolyn See (Making a Literary Life)
