What Writers Do at Studio Residencies

An earnest new writer asked me that question last weekend; "what do you do on a residency?"

"Eat cookies," I said. Then I told her what I really intend to do, which is try my hardest to come face to face with my writing. Just me and you, writing. It's a showdown, writing. It's a serious attempt to dismember you, wrestle you to the ground, and see what I know you really have in you, you, you, novel in progress, you!

It's a scary thing, that face to face confrontation with your naked work. And a residency at this particular artists retreat is a gift of time and a vote of confidence in my ability to coax (wrestle?) from this work its best form.

And yeah, I might eat some cookies. Maybe one. But not too many. Wrestling with your work tends to be a seated activity.

Bookzilla is Back!

Whew! I knew Bookzilla would be back, but here he (is he a he? Not sure what gender BZ is, actually) is with the lineup for this year's Decatur Book Festival!

You'll be here, right? I will!

Word(s) on the Street

A week ago a bakery box suggested that I learn German. Two nights ago, the sidewalk on Clairmont Avenue near North Decatur reminded me to "cherish diversity."

Word on the street, I'm telling you.

VOX summer media cafe!

Can I just kvell for a minute about VOX and the summer media cafe? Look at all these excellent writers and media faculty who have signed on to lead workshops for Atlanta high school students!

I'm teaching personal essay, in the company of three amazing writers and more than a dozen outstanding teen writers.

I had amazing writing teachers and mentors when I was in high school, and this is one chance to give back.

Chastised by a bakery box

The weird stuff you find in my neighborhood, I'm telling you. Now a bakery box on the sidewalk (artfully placed, I noticed) chastises my language skills?

Awww, thanks GAYA

Now I know how my mom felt reading about herself as a character in Invisible Sisters.

Oh, gracious, there's more...

That $10 Art Mystery, it's like a triffid. A literary one. Inhabiting many brains. Here's the latest . Because I know that you, like me, are hooked.

PS Dear mystery-monger. I don't mean that you're really a brain-eating plant. It's just your run of the mill pop culture reference.

Collin Kelley's sneak preview is here!

I'm so excited about this link to my friend Collin Kelley's second novel, "Remain in Light," that I'm pushing you right to it. Read a chapter free! And since it's a part two, read a sample of the first novel, "Conquering Venus," here, too!

Do you love Paris? Intrigue? Romance? Of course you do!

I'm torn if I should post Collin's tres mysterious new author photo, or the cover of Remain in Light here. Aw, the cover. It's got a view from Notre Dame.