If I had one takeaway from our trip to, and our time in Spain, it’s to contradict the old adage–when it comes to European travel, it is not the journey, it is the destination.
The Destination, Part 1: Spain
5 CampNaNo Moments, or How to Crank a Book in 30 Days
1. Set aside unbroken blocks of time to chain yourself to your computer. Physical Therapist: Okay, how’s the sciatica? Me: Horrible. I’m having a real setback. Physical Therapist: I thought we were […]
Why Artificial Intelligence Can’t Kill Your Next New Favorite Poet
As you may have noticed, a tsunami of existential dread is sweeping creative writers and writing professors. The basic chorus of post-apocalyptic dread goes something like this: However, happily, the 2010 poet […]
Witnessing and Waiting in “The Sound of Holding Your Breath”: A Book Review
Natalie Sypolt’s standout collection of short fiction, The Sound of Holding Your Breath, was published in 2018 by West Virginia University Press, and I regret not reviewing the book sooner. The heart […]
Worth Reading
If I was a dragon, I’d hoard books.
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Taste in television is extremely personal. But even so, I’m always asking my friends what they’re watching, hoping to discover our next favorite series. I rarely watch tv unless I’m with my […]
Writing and the “Glue” of Point of View
I’m often a people lover and have a Venn diagram of friends. In a few of my friend circles, we joke about which one of us is the “glue.” The “glue” is […]
How to Be Creative When the News Kills Your Muse
The news can be addictive. You know why? Because it’s all bad. Bad news is seductive. You like it—even if it makes you miserable. Despite cellphones, space travel, and Axe deodorant spray, […]
A Poetry Playlist
I went to high school and college in the 80s, which means some of my formative years were spent in the period of American culture that particularly revolved around wearing the right […]
August Siren Salon: Does the Latest Breaking News Kill or Cure Your Creativity?
Does staying informed tune you into the zeitgeist or plummet you into paralysis? Are you able to stop the 24-hour news monster from gobbling up all your writing time? Do you secretly fear that if you unplug, your art […]
The Gloria Sirens 