Happy December, friends! (Photo courtesy of the New York Times) “The idea of perfection in a poem is pretty stupid. Because if nothing else is perfect, why should a poem be perfect?” https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/04/books/bernadette-mayer-dead.html Over the Thanksgiving holidays, the world lost one of the most remarkable, brilliant, and generous poets around. That person is Bernadette Mayer, … Continue reading December weekly prompt (in honor of Bernadette Mayer)
Category: craft of writing
Pretend Plumber post-party writing fun
And. . . it's a launch! Tonight friends and family from both coasts (and some folx from the middle) joined thee zoom-o-sphere for a book party featuring readings by incredibly talented creatives, two give aways, and.... a writing prompt. If you attended the party, you will have received your assignment . Please post your writing … Continue reading Pretend Plumber post-party writing fun
Novel-writing and why it matters
Dear friends -- Happy Cinco de Mayo! I'm taking a look back over my various attempts at writing novels on Medium, and here is the first part of that essay: Why I write novels This week I’m junking the “about” in my title and getting right to the question of why I keep on trying … Continue reading Novel-writing and why it matters
An excerpt from my story at THE BRIDGE, Volume 2
Friends -- Sometimes, a story that you struggle with becomes the story that soars between countries, becoming part of an international conversation, bridging readers and writers from far away communities. That's what happened with my story "Nothing Like Chongqing." Inspired by my actual trip to China, this magical realist tale was one that I labored … Continue reading An excerpt from my story at THE BRIDGE, Volume 2
Protected: MT SAC — Culturama Weekend Magical Realism/Writing short Obsession prompt
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Protected: MT SAC — Culturama Weekend/Writing short: “Their unfortunate transformation” prompt
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
What we found at the beach — a magical realism writing exercise
Hi writing friends and welcome to the end of the month! For the last week of April, I'm offering a popular writing exercise from my little how to write magical realism manual, Delicious Strangeness. I've used this prompt in most of my writing classes, because it just about always yields something interesting and usable. It's … Continue reading What we found at the beach — a magical realism writing exercise
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!
And now 5 questions for authors I dig #1 — Stacey Levine, and Brown Seaweed Soup
Friends -- I have this idea. Periodically I want to interrupt whatever I'm doing on Magically Real so that I can ask writers I respect and admire 5 questions, which they will then answer. I'm doing this so that we'll have the opportunity to hear their own unique geniussy take on writing world. Along the … Continue reading And now 5 questions for authors I dig #1 — Stacey Levine, and Brown Seaweed Soup
Does the ending have to work? Thinking about Joanne Harris’ Lollipop Shoes
Friends -- I'm trying to read more self-proclaimed magical realist novels this year, so that I can be a more educated writer AND reader. I'm also interested in the debates as to what is and what is not magical realism. As you know, I made it through 100 Years of Solitude, and just finished Joanne … Continue reading Does the ending have to work? Thinking about Joanne Harris’ Lollipop Shoes
Stephanie Barbé Hammer Writing (Un) Real 