Economy, Family, Life, Literature, parenthood, Poetry, Writing

What is “Never Saw Jesus in the Mirror”?

I took seven-and-a-half-years to write my novel, Sons of the Edisto. Like a friendship begun in childhood, I have scribbled different narratives and poems about my journey from journalism into motherhood and teaching. It might sound mundane at first, but ... Some had to do with my relationship with my husband. Some poems were about my… Continue reading What is “Never Saw Jesus in the Mirror”?

Advocacy, Education, Poetry, Writing

The Rain (A Metaphor for Special Education)

I am a firm believer in speaking out. I have had to pick and choose what I say because of my profession as a teacher, but certain causes deserve attention. For me, those causes include poverty, breastfeeding, and special education. So, today I share I poem I wrote as a metaphor for the needs necessary… Continue reading The Rain (A Metaphor for Special Education)

Education, Family, Poetry, Writing

Days of a Working Writer

I want to write. I got to write. Cliches. Who minds? Little time to write more than a  few words. Complete sentences, maybe. Is it sign I'm lazy, or just the sign of the times working from six a.m. or sometimes five.   Head stuck in a book. Close the book. Son wakes up. Sweet… Continue reading Days of a Working Writer

Blogging, Economy, Family, Journalism, Life, Poetry, Writing

The One that Keeps Showing Up

Courtesy of http://www.thecommunityarchitect.com/2009/07/29/online-communities-are-key-to-landing-a-decent-job-in-a-down-economy/ Write. Write about … Write about one subject. It seems impossible in a time when everything intermingles. In a class which scares me more than Calculus called literary criticism I've remembered something. Some of the ancient Greek and Roman writers club believed "poets" should focus on one subject. A painting of a… Continue reading The One that Keeps Showing Up

Art, Books, History, Poetry, Writing

Seventh Publication in The Copperfield Review

Courtesy of The Copperfield Review, http://thecopperfieldreview.com. The Copperfield Review publishes historical short fiction and poetry. The Copperfield Review published my poem, From Red Loam, in its Summer 2013 edition. The poem is the intro for the story collection Red Loam, which is connected to Sons of the Edisto. It is the third publication from the… Continue reading Seventh Publication in The Copperfield Review

Blogging, Books, Literature, Poetry, Writing

Pave Your Road Using Less Words

I read advice about editing. The Daily Post on WordPress presented a writing challenge to bloggers: Papa Says Get Economical. Ingredients you need: Paragraph from a previous blog Keyboard Backspace key Remember cut and let go. The Daily Post encourages bloggers to edit a post and use less words. No matter how long you've been… Continue reading Pave Your Road Using Less Words

Art, Blogging, Education, Literature, Poetry, Writing

Poetry Collection Work Out

Poetry challenges my mind, heart and fingers. It gives all the writing muscles a work out. Growing up, I wrote poetry all the time, and I was accepted to the S.C. Governor's School of the Arts primarily for my poetic writing. At age fifteen I was not able to formulate stories like I do now. My… Continue reading Poetry Collection Work Out

Art, Blogging, Literature, Poetry, Writing

Thought for the Night: Simplicity

Write simple words. Mold them, shape them. Keep them simple. Who will read them? The greats. Sure. There are the greats, but they sit on thrones above. The ones who want a break from work. The ones who want a break from bills. The ones who want a break from screaming children. The ones who… Continue reading Thought for the Night: Simplicity

Blogging, Family, Life, Photography, Photos, Poetry, Writing

Get Lost Sometimes

"Love, I get so lost sometimes. Days pass and this emptiness fills my heart. When I want to run away, I drive off in my car. But whichever way I go I come back to the place you are. … In your eyes, I see the doorway to a thousand churches. In your eyes, the… Continue reading Get Lost Sometimes

Books, Life, Literature, Poetry, Writing

Friday Night Simple Samples: Elliot McSwean, Finding Cinderella

If Mom put as much thought into my birthday parties as she did for my three sisters, kids at school might pick me third or perhaps second when we played basketball. My two older sisters and I believed Mom treasured Jillian the most since Dad’s first words after her birth were, “Alright, that’s it.” The… Continue reading Friday Night Simple Samples: Elliot McSwean, Finding Cinderella