Kathmandu Arrival, the Ancient Unknown and Daddy’s Dreams Photo Essay

When I first began writing about taking my dad to Asia, in a story titled “Why Kathmandu,” I came across this Wendell Berry quote that resonated:             […w]hen you leave familiar ground and step off alone into a new place, there … Continue reading

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Writing Books & Work-in-Progress Blog Tour

This post features sneak peaks at bloggers behind-the-scenes book projects starting with Luanne at Writersite.org then Renee (me) at unpackedwriter.com and ends tagging other writer-bloggers: Long-Distance Dad, Ned Hickson and Annelisplace. Renee in her writing studio. Behind the scenes… How’d this happen? … Continue reading

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My Writing Process

Tag, you’re it! Luanne my friend and writing partner has tagged me to write about my writing process. If you get a chance check out her blog at writersite.org. This author and former professor blogs prolifically about different aspects of the … Continue reading

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Ways to Get Unstuck: From Writers Block to Inspired Creative Flow

Do you have a writing practice that works for creating first draft pages? Many components make up a writing practice. But one thing I’ve ascribed to this past several months is the setting of goals and the setting aside of … Continue reading

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Kathmandu, Dad & The Bucketlist Trip

Call me crazy. I’m headed to Kathmandu. With my 73-year-old father. And I need your help. I would like to collect Kathmandu travel stories as part of my preparation for this trip. And, soon. Weekly Reader Inspired Dreams No, I’m … Continue reading

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Scene Revision Sample: Meeting Dog Musher Willie George

Frankly, writers are nuts. Who else would spend an hour revising a page? But, that’s what my measurement was last week in revising this story I’ve tinkered with over the years. I’ve certainly drastically decreased the amount of revision page … Continue reading

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Undressing Scene, Down to the Bones

I’m turning my decades-old process of writing, upside down. Having had the privilege of working with writing groups for a number of years, I tended to rely on writing something based on our meeting schedule. I’m not so certain this … Continue reading

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Follow-up On Blueprint Your Best Seller

Where did we leave off? Don’t let the Brandy snifter in the last post about Blueprinting Your Bestseller fool you. I’ve been busy… well, busy not writing. But preparing to write… . During the holidays I tend to let myself … Continue reading

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Thanksgiving, Writing, the Kitchen Sink and Other Rituals

Grandmother’s Kitchen Sometimes I’m paralyzed by the idea that I can recall so few specifics about my grandmother. She was a cook undaunted by crowds lining up outside our church—serving three hundred or more in a night with her massive … Continue reading

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Old Bottles, Time Capsules, and Going Home

 Walking into the backyard this weekend, I was intrigued to see my thirteen-year-old kneeling under the grapefruit tree, digging. “What are you doing?” I asked. “I’m planting a time capsule,” she said. I smiled at the word “planting.”  It seemed … Continue reading

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