I think the best decision I made in 2010 was when I decided to attend Seattle Pacific University’s low-residency MFA program. I was accepted to three different schools (applied to four), but ultimately the decision came down to the personal touch and the sense that I actually  belonged at SPU rather than the other great…

The pay-off. Everybody who plays the lottery or trains for the Olympics or plants a pumpkin seed in the backyard, expects something little (or big) in return. They want to see some results. If not today, then some day in the not too distant future. Today was that day for me. The results. The pay-off.…

Out the front door of our apartment, I flip off the light, close up, and use my key to swing the deadbolt. Before leaving the building I run inventory: Computer bag? Check. Lunchbox? Check. To-go coffee mug? Check. From there it’s down the long corridor, out the back door, dress shoes on concrete, wet grass,…

Today, the sun lathers our parking lot in spots of warmth as fall leaves blow and drop from open space. The evergreen trees on the horizon stand in chilly contrast to the other-colored trees, painted swathes of red, yellow, and orange. I just love autumn. The air is crisp; with a snap it invigorate my…

Watching President Obama’s inauguration yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised when they followed up his speech with a poem by Elizabeth Alexander.  It was interesting that Elizabeth Alexander was only the fourth poet to be asked to read at an inauguration (Robert Frost being the first in 1961).  I was not familiar with her or her…

10K words to go.  Here's a graph of the writing progression this month.  Go to the NaNoStats tab from this link.  (I think you should be able to see it without logging in.)  It's pretty insane, but it's nice that I'm not behind by 2 or 3 thousand words.  I'm right where I need to…

Well, I'm on the last 9 days of writing for NaNoWriMo.  I only need another 14,000 words to complete the challenge.  I think my story will be longer than 50,000 words, but it will be nice to complete that goal at least and "win" the competition.  (Everyone who can verify that they've written 50K words…

Passed the halfway mark (and then some) today on my quest to finish a novel in November.  I clocked in at just under 30K words.  It's daunting to think of what the revision process will be like for me, but that's next month's issue.  For now I just need to keep plugging away towards the…

I broke the 17,000 word barrier today for NaNoWriMo, but I think I also gave myself carpal tunnel syndrome in the process.  My wrist is killing me!  Better ice it for another productive day tomorrow.

It took me a few days, but I'm finally back on pace for my 50,000 word "novel".  I'm at 15,035 words at the end of day 9 (which is about 30 words over the day's requirement).  That's a HUGE relief.  If I stay on top of it I hopefully won't have to do anymore 4,000…