Author & Ecologist
Our classic interdisciplinary course Ecology Through the Writers Lens ran under a different format this year, with local day trips instead of week-long overnight visit to the Flint Hills. Of course, everyone masked up. Photo by Amy Milakovic. As this extraordinary year winds down, I find myself reflecting not so much on what 2020 took... Continue Reading →
Normally this time of year I would be at my annual Women's Writing Retreat, more affectionately known as Dollbabies Week. Like so many other spring activities and conferences, that plan was washed away by the tide of Covid-19. My literary colleagues and I have organized a remote edition instead. It won't be the same, but... Continue Reading →
Every year around this time, I look at my August calendar and say, "Who are you, and what have you done with my summer?" Classes start at Avila this week. Wait, what? Classes start this week?? Why does time always takes us by surprise? I once read a theologian who argued this was evidence of... Continue Reading →
Saturday I attended a meeting of the Heartland Authors Guild, which goes by the wonderful acronym HAG. We did a flash fiction workshop including an exercise based on sensory prompts. Prompts were given to us by chance - drawn from a deck of cards. Mine read as follows: the sound of a garden hose What... Continue Reading →
I'm very excited to report that Daughter of Aithne, Book Three of The Silver Web, has received the 2017 OZMA Award for fantasy fiction! A division of Chanticleer's International Book Awards, the OZMA Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works of fantasy. Winners were announced last weekend at Chanticleer's annual authors conference in Bellingham, Washington. It was a... Continue Reading →
Well, this is it! 2017 is here with its unique, yet-to-be-revealed set of challenges and blessings. I'm getting things into gear, updating my syllabi while trying to rest just a little more before reality hits full throttle next week. On the writing end, I'm prepping for a new round of queries for The Hunting Grounds, my brilliant... Continue Reading →
Last week I enjoyed my annual writing retreat at VAB, easily the most important week of my year. It's a time of renewal and restoration in the company of a remarkable group of women. A place of centering and rediscovery. A chance to stop and breathe in the midst of our busy lives. Ironically, I came... Continue Reading →
