For an assignment in my Structure and Style class through UC Davis Extension, we were asked to write a scene, using two shapes of fiction as outlined in Making Shapely Fiction by Jerome Stern: Iceberg and Visitation. Stern’s Iceberg shape of fiction shows how to handle thoughts, dialogue, and action in writing. In this shape, the […]
For Writers
Dash off A Memory / School Days Growing Up
Here’s guest blogger Dorothy Ann Skarles with another lesson on Memoir. What do you remember about your school days? Dorothy has memories a plenty. School Days Growing Up What I remember about my school days—is moving. I never went to the same school twice. Daddy always used to say, “Pumpkin, traveling is the best education you […]
Plug In, Janet Conner, and Synchronicity
I entered Janet Conner’s Plug In telecourse with an open mind, because I so want to believe that it’s possible to give my soul full expression by stepping into the Intersection. Janet defines the “Intersection” as“a spiritual space in your consciousness where you are able to connect your craft (skills) with your spiritual practice (knowledge and wisdom)” and where “you will receive […]
The Pitfalls In Starting A New Life
Guest Blogger Dorothy Ann Skarles is back with a warning. “Marry in haste and repent at leisure.” The Pitfalls in Starting A New Life All in all, a widows’ bereavement group is a safe place to connect intuitively to the experiences shared with others who have “been there and done that.” During a monthly support group luncheon, the conversation […]
Two People, One Thought / Methodists Sing
As a warm-up for a lesson on Vantage Points in my Advanced Fiction class at UC Davis Extension, our teacher asked us to do a quick-write about two people sharing one thought. This being a quick-write, I didn’t have much time to mull over character or subject, so I zeroed in on the funeral I had attended the previous […]
Plug In With Janet Conner
What makes writers happy, besides working on their craft, of course, is connecting with other writers to delve into the unknown and explore each other’s minds for fresh ideas. Add to that a team of experts and inspirational speakers and you’ve just kicked up the happiness factor a notch or two. So you can imagine my reaction when I read about […]
