Category Archives: writing

Continuing Education

Posted on November 21, 2021 by stillalife

Recently, I attended a virtual class on the subject of humor, as found in written pieces, stand-up comedy, and movie scripts.  It didn’t take long to learn that I was the dullest person in the class. From the appearance of … Continue reading →

Posted in writing | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Virus and politics lead to new health challenge

Posted on July 19, 2020 by stillalife

My most recent post, the last of three blogs written in an attempt to add humor to lives quarantined for two months, appeared on May 12. By mid-May, I’d stopped laughing. It’s mid-July now, and little has changed beyond more … Continue reading →

Posted in blogging, current events/themes, humor, personal reflections, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Life in a virtual world

Posted on May 12, 2020 by stillalife

Two months into semi-quarantine, and it’s impossible to ignore the changes around us. Including my hair color. Recently, I stopped fondling the broccoli at my grocery store and took a moment to look at the people around me. Everyone was … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, current events/themes, personal reflections, writing | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Phone tag

Posted on January 2, 2020 by stillalife

After a two-month break, I’m returning to blogging.  The work I’m doing on my novel has become…well… difficult. How would my protagonist react in this scene?  What about the one after it?  It’s constraining, especially when my writing coach asks, … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, personal reflections, writing | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

A poem for everyone

Posted on June 7, 2018 by stillalife

Seems like I’ve been away from this blog forever.  I’ve been busy reading other people’s writing, as in grant applications, as part of my volunteer role on a local committee. My head is into programs for those who are homeless, … Continue reading →

Posted in writing | 6 Comments

Letting go of social media

Posted on March 27, 2018 by stillalife

Some people hang on to their jobs forever.  Some aren’t sure. They retire, return to work, retire, return. And others leave cold turkey. On my last day of work I believed I’d fit in the second category. A day later, … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, blogging, changes after retirement, humor, letting go of work, writing | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

“NaNoWriMo” is over and so is any hope for discipline

Posted on December 3, 2017 by stillalife

November was National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo and mispronounced by friends as something like “Nah, No Rhinos.” My first foray into NaNoWriMo took place in November 2011. That year I participated fully, which means I started a … Continue reading →

Posted in current events/themes, humor, personal reflections, writing | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Work habits of creative people, unusual and otherwise

Posted on August 2, 2017 by stillalife

When people find out I’m working on my second novel they often ask about my writing schedule. “Do you have a particular time you write every day?” “Do you start writing as soon as you get up?” “Do you prefer … Continue reading →

Posted in books and movies, humor, writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Suddenly I’m a fan of Chick Lit

Posted on August 3, 2016 by stillalife

I’ve pitched my novel to literary agents and editors for the past five years at the Pacific Northwest Writers’ Association conference.  Over time, these professionals have been gracious, and most asked me to send them something, sometimes only a synopsis … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration, writing | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Rejection as a group experience

Posted on April 27, 2016 by stillalife

Last weekend, after receiving two rejections from literary agents within twenty-four hours, I felt discouraged. I decided that if I was discouraged after only a few rejections, I’d better learn how to prepare for more. So what do the mental … Continue reading →

Posted in personal reflections, writing | 3 Comments