Most of us can recall the first books or movies that made us cry. In my case, it was the iconic ending of the film, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” It certainly wouldn’t have mattered to me that this outcome was never in Truman Capote’s novella, which had a more ambivalent...

One of the most important qualities for being a writer is often overlooked: Faith. Not religious faith, but faith in your work and what you bring to it. Before the April publication of my book, “Saving Ellen: A Memoir of Hope and Recovery,” faith in my book was not a...

In a world drowning in words — many of them inflammatory, hateful or misleading — I can’t help thinking less is more. But writing shorter requires you to find the most accurate, precise and powerful words, and then hit “control X” on the rest. As any reporter given a...

Ray Bradbury was not just a highly motivated and prolific science fiction writer. He was also a ferocious reviser. He said, “When you write – explode – fly apart – disintegrate! Then give yourself enough time to think, cut, rework, and rewrite.” If and when he did...

Walt Whitman’s Poem, “Crossing Brooklyn Bridge,” reminds me in Stanza 6 to be conscious of my river in a new way: “Just as you are refreshed by the gladness of the river, and the bright flow, I was refreshed.” First, a short reverie about my river, The Mystic River...

Two years after Jake started his sheep farm near Big Alkali Lake, he put on his best clothes and went to propose. He even knelt down. Lanna laughed and then frowned. “Build me a proper house, and I will consider it.” He nodded. She was right. His house of sod wouldn’t...

When I wrapped up a career in public relations and editing, I looked forward to spending as much time as I wanted to writing fiction, but I also needed to try at least one thing different, something away from computer screens. Deep down I knew what that could be: I...

Books tend to arrive on my horizon when I need them, and that was the case last month when I read about a 50th anniversary, graphic novel edition of the classic young adult novel “Tuck Everlasting” by Natalie Babbitt. I had never read “Tuck,” which isn’t surprising...

What you’re about to read was written 15 years ago, for an NPR fiction writing contest. I can’t remember the word limit…but the entry was to include the words fly, button, trick, and plant. It was a fun exercise! I don’t think I sent it to anyone, except NPR. So, here...

Writing a book is a leap of faith – faith in yourself, in the years-long process of producing the work, and in the belief that the written word makes a difference. It took me five years to write and publish my book, “Saving Ellen: A Memoir of Hope and Recovery” from...