Lessons in Patience

Patience is a virtue:the restraint in the chaos,the ticking of clocks heard from a great distanceuntil the sound is only a memory, like the whisper of the windenwrapping the yellow-tinged leavesand tossing them into the sunbaked sky.Patience is the calm beforethe storm; the soothing serenade of moonlight scattered on the bedroom walls;the simple act ofContinue reading “Lessons in Patience”

My Favorite Tip for Writing with Limited Time

Earlier this year, my schedule made it so difficult to fit in writing time. Teaching 7 classes, some over their enrollment limit, and being the main transportation source for my kids to their sports and other activities made life overwhelming at times. It’s a good kind of overwhelming, because I enjoy my job, and IContinue reading “My Favorite Tip for Writing with Limited Time”

Summer Haze

Sneaking snacks on the back porch,sneaking jokes under blankets,we slip away into sweet dreams as the Northern Lights trace patternsacross our sleeping bags. This is just a little poem about summertime thoughts. We have an upcoming camping trip that I’m pretty excited about– the urge to watch the sunset over Lake Superior and roast marshmallowsContinue reading “Summer Haze”

Reunion- A Flash Fiction Piece

Jonie eased back the tent flap to see where she would wake up this morning. It wasn’t easy living in a magical teleporting tent, but at least she could honestly say that each day was a fresh start. Still, she longed for home. Leather sandals that looked about Jonie’s size lay in the sand beforeContinue reading “Reunion- A Flash Fiction Piece”

Paving the Way to Publishing

Since attending a writing conference in early April, I’ve been on a new track with my writing goals. I feel more focused. I have 4 finished books at the moment, and now I have a clear plan of where each is going, or at least, what I want to do with each: the cozy mystery,Continue reading “Paving the Way to Publishing”

Workshop Adventures

A few weeks ago, I got to attend the Minnesota Writing Workshop, a writing conference in the Twin Cities. I left feeling energized even if it started out with a bit of a hiccup. I signed up to pitch several agents at this conference, something I’d only done once before, at a conference 10 yearsContinue reading “Workshop Adventures”

Healing Wounds

sneaker squeaks linoleum floors distant beeps machine hums fear curtailed under bright lights wrapped in curtained walls bandages slowly counting steps counting days nature’s rest scar tissue’s perseverance heaven’s endurance existence fickle yet bolder striding near holding dear what wounds look like as they heal faith, friendship, love, hope This week’s Wea’ve Written Weekly promptContinue reading “Healing Wounds”

Street Cacophony

technicolor lights brilliantly sear the night sky street cacophony threaded cable vines that sway above our concrete jungle This week’s Wea’ve Written Weekly prompt at the Skeptic’s Kaddish asks us to reflect on urban landscapes. Thanks to Jaideep for providing this week’s prompt, which is as follows: I don’t often find myself in large cities.Continue reading “Street Cacophony”

Tidal Waves

Linger under the diamond willow’s shade carry your cup of coffee in gloved hands play witness to the memories we have made and know we harbor comfort in these sands. Leaves will drift, orange-freckled, in the breeze and waver over graying grass like so to paint the picture of these changing seas the tides, theContinue reading “Tidal Waves”

Why I Love Writing

I believe that you can change the world through writing and other creative works. Maybe it’s not always a simple or obvious process, but each word might be one small step towards a greater journey. One way I see this is through my students. Even those who at first tell me that they don’t enjoyContinue reading “Why I Love Writing”