Monthly Updates
Every month I provide an update on my writing projects. I also offer brief reviews of books I’ve recently read. See below for the posts in this category.
Monthly Update: October 2024
Life As a toddler, my son Finley preferred Allison to be the main bedtime person. I helped with brushing teeth and reading books, but once it was lights out, Finley wanted to cuddle with Mama, not me. He was three-and-a-half when Callen was born, and suddenly, Mama was not available for post-book cuddling. He was stuck with me. The first few nights were …
Monthly Update: September 2024
Life August was a full month for me: running the MFA residency (July 30–August 11), celebrating several birthdays, including my own, my 14th wedding anniversary, a camping trip to Lopez Island (see photo above!) and the restart of the school year for my wife (elementary PE teacher) and middle-born son (first week of kindergarten now complete).
Writing Update: August 2024
This week begins the MFA residency, an eleven-day academic retreat for graduate students in creative writing. There are seminars, readings, workshops, guest writers. The MFA program at SPU is a “low-residency” model, which means that most of the coursework is done via correspondence. The two residencies a year (in March and August) offer precious time w…
Writing Update: June 2024
Here’s an update of what I’ve been up to writing-wise and reading-wise in the last month.
May 2024 Book Reviews
I read 20 books in May, the most I’ve ever read in a single month. Lest you think I merely skim and forget (which does sometimes happen), I also annotate my books furiously. I underline, bracket, star, question, and make notes in the margins. If I’m reading a library book, I put sticky flags in, then scan the relevant pages / chapters. I listen to audio…
Writing Update: May 2024
This past month I’ve been getting back into the swing of things since returning from the MFA residency at the end of March. Here are some things I’ve discovered in my writing process. Revision. I revise more effectively when I print out my text. I circle things, make notes, ask questions, offer suggestions, draw arrows, etc. Making edits on a computer sc…
Writing Update April 2024
Hello subscribers! Here is my monthly update about my writing projects, what I’m reading, and what’s been inspiring me lately.
Writing Update March 2024
Hello subscribers! Here is my monthly update about my writing projects, what I’m reading, and what’s been inspiring me lately.
Writing Update February 2024
Hello subscribers! I wanted to give you an update about my writing projects, what I’m reading, and what’s been inspiring me lately.
My Favorite Books from 2023
I read a lot of books last year, but I did not do as much writing as I wanted. So, this year, my goal is to read less and write more. If you read one of the books I recommend below, let me know! And if you want to recommend any books to me, I’m always open to them.
Writing Above the Writing
This is another introductory post. Below are summaries of my writing projects. Some of these I have had in my head for years; others are more recent. Sometimes it feels like I enjoy writing about these projects more than actually working on them. (Of course writing