September 6th, the 6th San Francisco Writing for Change Conference will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Center, Geary @ Franklin from 8:15 to 5:30. The conference theme is “Changing the world one book at a time: writing fiction and nonfiction to make a difference.” The keynote speaker is Adam Hochschild, “Writing About a Changing […]
More on Misplaced Modifiers
My last post from Violet’s Vibes had examples of misplaced modifiers. Here a few more from Bonnie Trenga’s book, The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier, a Writers Digest Book. She explains that since a modifier usually describes the nearest noun, when it ends up next to the wrong word, it becomes misplaced. Here are […]
Say that again
Misplaced modifiers sneak into our writing, but if we catch them, they’re good for laughs. Violet tells us about a mustache weighing 150 pounds, a chair tying its shoes, and a dog packing up for college.
Interview with Author George Cramer
In my anthology, George Cramer has an essay titled, “Why I Hate D.E.E.R.” in which he takes the reader on a ride to see why deer are a hazard when he’s on a motorcycle road trip. George also has a novel in progress excerpt in the anthology called “A Tale of Robbers and Cops” in […]
Happy Labor Day 2014
I hope everyone has a Happy Labor Day. What does one do on Labor day besides relax in a hammock or have a big family picnic? What is labor, really? I’m a writer but sitting down to write isn’t labor to me, it’s rejuvenating, inspiring, and fun. I love to read fiction, but all the […]
Lillian Hellman Quote for Writers
Lillian Hellman says “Story is what the characters want to do. Plot is what the writer wants the characters to do.” The character in my new novel, Norman in the Painting, who appeared wearing a Homberg hat, is keeping his intentions a mystery. I wanted him to be hired by the antagonist, but he refuses […]
Winners in Choices Poetry Contest
Winners of the Choices Poetry Contest on this blog will be announced in September. Due to vacations this summer, it was difficult for the judges to meet for a consensus. Many quality entries spread the nominated winners by each judge to well over the three place awards. We plan to have honorable mentions included this […]