East Germany, that is. I've been trying to write alot lately about the people that I encountered in the place I have been facetiously calling "Bad Germany," by which I mean of course the erstwhile soviet satellite, The German Democratic Republic or Die Deutsche Demokratische Republik. I have a strange short story making the rounds … Continue reading an interruption: The magic of the east, in COUNTER PART, “Twin Cities” ep (Spoilers)
Category: Art and Literature
2nd visit to bad Germany, part 1
Friends -- I’ve been writing about the German Democratic Republic (aka East Germany, aka "bad" Germany) in the light of discussions about communism, Russians, the cold war, and most recently fascism and the connections to all of these things in this country. Here’s the first installment of my 2nd trip. By 1985, I had received … Continue reading 2nd visit to bad Germany, part 1
A tale of two countries (part 1)
Friends – I generally use this blog to talk about the unreal, but today I want to talk about something real. I want to talk about a country that used to exist. It’s gone now. It’s been gone for almost 30 years. And most of us don’t remember its existence. That’s how successfully it has … Continue reading A tale of two countries (part 1)
Scared of Magical Realism? Try this writing exercise (writing prompt from Mount SAC Writers Weekend 2018)
scared of fancy schmancy magical realism? try this writing exercise!
Isn’t it Romantic? prose, poetry and magical realism
Dear friends -- I've been out of the blogosphere for some time, because of activism and teaching. I'm excited to share that my little book on how to write Magical Realism is coming out in a few weeks. I'll keep you posted. But along the way, I wanted to share my thoughts about prose … Continue reading Isn’t it Romantic? prose, poetry and magical realism
Rameau’s Nephew for president?
Listening to the news lately, I've been struck by -- who hasn't? -- the zaniness of our politics. And particularly the "who knows what he's gonna say next folks?" quality to our current president. Lindsey Graham said something that really stuck with me. Something to the effect of, "Well, I talked to this one president … Continue reading Rameau’s Nephew for president?
January 2018. thinking about the cruel 18th century
I've been away from this blog for a number of months, teaching, travelling, and like many of you, agitating. I didn't get as far as I wanted to in talking with you about the Enlightenment, and I'd like to continue in that vein. But... how to write about it this year? Then an idea came … Continue reading January 2018. thinking about the cruel 18th century
TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER update: Sonnet in Honor of Kamala Harris joins the roster!
Friends -- we have a new sonnet in honor of Kamala Harris created by K. Andrew Turner. We'll add sonnets to the roster as we receive them. the entire group can be viewed here:
July 27th, 2017 — Revisiting Magical Realism for the bloghop — why the unreal matters more than ever
Friends -- I am participating in the annual Magical Realism Bloghop, organized by writer and foremost electronic impresario of the MR scene, Zoe Brooks. For this bloghop, I usually post craft tips, but today I'd just like to say a few words about why MR and other forms of non-realist word art matter to me … Continue reading July 27th, 2017 — Revisiting Magical Realism for the bloghop — why the unreal matters more than ever
July 4th Special — TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER — a senate sonnet project
Friends -- one might argue that we are living in surrealistic times here in the United States. One has only to open one's laptop or peruse the local paper to see magically real headlines and stories which make one wonder what dimension one is actually living in. In honor of this spectacularly unreal-feeling historical moment, … Continue reading July 4th Special — TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER — a senate sonnet project
Stephanie Barbé Hammer Writing (Un) Real 