Inquiring Minds Want To Know......

No class this semester and I will only be offering my writing class for one more semester. I will discuss those reasons at that time.

Happy?

Spring Semester Writing Course

has hit the catalog for Milford (CT) Adult Education. If you are in the area give it a try.

Milford Adult Ed Redux

We are in the catalog again, but rest assured if this class doesn't fill we will pull it. In my area of Connecticut there is a premium on self-publishing an those self-publish ironically look down on those of us who don't.

Yeah, that is the case. Most Connecticut writing classes are taught by those who self-publish.

Such can certainly explain the quality of literature here.

How Do You Know That?

My chuckle came in my writing class when a student kept asking how I would know certain facts I incorporated in a piece of nonfiction; a simple historical article.

I think it's called research.

And I think it is important to always do research whether writing fiction or non-fiction.

I also think it is important to always do research in the genre in which you work. It helps to know who came before you and how they did what they did.

Your writing certainly won't suffer.

Okay Nothing more On Law and Politics

But that decision really irks me. Enough with our bent moral compass let's get back to WRITING.

Anyway, I had a discussion the other day with two budding authors who thought me to crazy for the genre I toil in.

One: They initially had the idea I was hiding a hockey mask in right back pocket while the machete was in my left. Let me ask you, I said, if you write a romance piece does that mean you are over-sexed? "Well no... but.."

Two: Do you honestly think I cannot be trusted with women and children in the same room? "No, but the things you think of ...."

Imagination has always been the fuel with which we create our art. Let's not lose this sense and judge a book simply by its cover.

Editor's Notes: Be One With Your Art, Really?

I spent a considerable time on the train yesterday. The roads here were horrendous, the snow was piling up and I had to get to work.

On the way home I overheard a wondrous conversation between two ivy league professors discussing how they teach their 'art'. They believe before anyone can act, sing, write, paint or play; one must do this one thing. This one thing is a process in itself and will take the average artist a considerable amount of time to unlock creativity.

The key aspect is known as immersion where for the better part of a day one is to sit in an empty room and contemplate what their art means to them. Yes, this is how you spend your time. To truly love your art, to truly understand your art, to truly be an artist and to able to be a writer, a singer, a painter, etc. so the theory goes, you must assess your connection with your art; you must connect with your art and experience a desire to it before you practice it.

The genius continues; one then needs to spend the next several days, a week maybe two not practicing their art, not reading, not listening to music etc. in order to assess your love for your art.

As I get older I get less diplomatic. As I get wiser in certain areas I realize what is undoing this nation is political correctness.

This is crap. This is merely a way for certain people to discourage others from doing what they love. This is divisive; this is wrong. This is simply a way for an instructor to appear smarter and more creative than he is blessed.

No wonder the state of literature, of music, of art, of movies, and theater is in the toilet it is.

This is crap.

Go out and try your passion. If you are successful great, if you fail, re-tool; just don't wipe and flush. Editors, producers and directors can be wrong. This is why they do what they do and we do what we do.

Oh well......

So my children's writing classes went down in flames. Only one child in the middle school section and none in high school. God Bless the future of literature here in Milford.

On the flip side I have eight adult students.

Writing Classes To Start Soon

One week away. If you haven't signed up better get going....

Degrees, I Don't Need No Stinkin' Degrees

So my wife is surfing the net...surfing USA.... and she stumbles upon a bachelors degree in creative writing specializing in Horror and Science Fiction from an online university. Open sails and full speed ahead you need a degree if you wish to be a writer so to speak.

As I say over and over. You can't teach writing, like any other talent, physical or mental, you can only guide it along and show it a way to meet its potential.

You don't need a degree to publish a story but it doesn't hurt to be part of a class where your talent is nurtured and pushed.

More Writing Classes

Besides the class to be advertised in the Spring, I am happy and honored to announce that Adult Ed has tabbed me to teach children's writing classes starting in February. The sessions are split between high school and younger children all with their parents in attendance and with their parents helping.

Jaded

Jaded. Most of us who diligently toil in a profession long enough become jaded. Maybe its part of the burnout; maybe its part of the disappointment with expectations --- jaded is a standard port in the travels of life.

As I go through my past legal files, repackage my storage unit to hold more, I ran across a file I had long forgotten about involving a client I always kept in back of my mind. She was a science fiction writer and anthologist of some renown; with a Wikipedia page.

I don't have a Wikipedia page, do you?

What is important about this memory is how I learned not to treat others who wish to follow in your footsteps. I don't want to speak ill of the dead, but this client; with many books and anthologies to her credit and awards on her mantle had this advice for me just before I embarked on my own journey to publish.

I had joined a local writers group under the masthead of the local fine arts council. When I told her about this her response and advice was simple: "You think you can write?" She made a noise like air being burped from Tupperware, "I doubt it -- you probably suck. Everybody thinks they can write. Don't waste your time."

I think its important that as writers we encourage rather than discourage. I think as writers we work as a community of ideas that shape each others thoughts.

Rest in peace; as I see she passed away.

As I near my 100th story published I encourage everyone who is just starting out as well as those already on the journey to keep writing; keep nudging me with your creativity; and don't let the you know what's stop you.

Fall Class Is Over

I am sorry to see this fall writing class end. This particular class, more than any I have ever taught or participated in, has immense talent. There is not a single weak link here. I'm not just saying that --- these individuals have what it takes to publish insightful and entertaining pieces. There is depth here and soul. There is intelligence and art. This has been the most exciting semester I have ever experienced.

I see a lot of writing from a lot of folks, everyday, who pipe their own horns on social media and blogs, about their abilities; but this class has many of those folks beat.

Thank you guys for allowing me to be a part.

Am I funny like how? Do I amuse you ...... my apologies to cousin Joe .....

I am not afraid to admit I still get rejections. Rejections are a badge of honor particularly when a rejection has almost always led to better placement and even more money.

This month's rejection winner was received today in probably the worst form letter ever written 'from the best in dark fiction'. Readers will note that almost EVERY ezine for horror with author's who love to use initials for names claim their inclusion is the 'best' in dark fiction.

This rejection, in part, reads as follows:

"While we enjoyed reading it, we are going to pass on it for publication. The story felt a bit too jumbled for our liking."

 

If it is 'too jumbled' why did you enjoy reading it? Do I amuse you then? Like how?

 

The story was edited by a professional editor. The plot is simple and the action takes place during a police interrogation, however it does detail the death of a real estate broker and three cops; all necessary to the story. If content is an issue then please tell me. I understand many editors in horror do not enjoy the injection of humor; after all

 

I'll send them a copy of the mag or book when the story hits.

 

Yes, I am amused. 

 

We Teach Again

Milford Adult Ed tells us we have a fall class. For those enrolled I look forward to meeting and working with you. For those who still wish to sign up call Milford Adult Ed. You have internet, come on look it up.

Gotham Writer's Workshop

I am happy to say we made the first cut to be an instructor. We under consideration, just found out today and I am so happy.

Let's Dance The Last Dance....or Class That Is....

We wrapped up nine weeks of our creative writing class. It was a pleasure to teach and I believe we are going to see some special works of fiction and nonfiction coming out this triumvirate. As for another class, I am not sure we will be picked up in the Fall. This will depend on class size. Milford is a strange town in that memoir writing is the thing and creative writing has been waning for at least a decade.  

Meet The Greeting

Despite the demise of the ezine set to publish it. the ill fated tale did have its debut in public as it became a piece read during my writing class. My students who are not horror aficionados, and I believe deep down despise the genre from things we have discussed, were polite. Thanks guys.

Will No One EVER Greet THE GREETING?

Or meet THE MEETING as it is also titled. Well, it appears INSOMNIA PRESS' Issue 3 will never be. It is more than a month late and their are no responses to emails. It is a shame that an ezine folds. It is a shame that a story of mine accepted for publication back on August 5th sits in limbo as the publication date gets pushed back further and further and further only to slip away. As I tell my class such is the chance we all take and while disappointing, frustrating, even aggravating; it comes with the territory. Have faith in your ability and know that if the piece was good enough to be accepted one place, another is just as good. Another place another time.....

Whine, whine, whine, whine.....wine

A great man once wrote, "Avoid distraction and the fashion of the moment. Keep your head down and tend to your own toil." Well, maybe not a great man -- I wrote it. This morning I spoke with a friend who is a painter by birth, not trade. And by painter I mean paintings not houses. By birth I mean that is what he is meant to do in a perfect world not his trade as a middle management paper shuffler in a large corporation. We talked about creativity and what we do to keep it alive. We spoke about the moments we steal here and there to keep our sanity balanced to work on our projects that seem to be buried more and more from the toils of our obligation. By the end of our visit I realized he had done the bulk of the talking. He had gone on and on and on and I only interjected twice. My God is that me? And in all I realized, it really isn't that bad. We're merely being selfish. If we truly are creative enough we can balance the world. Bullocks to it all which is more appealing whine or wine? Now I am not advocating drinking and writing; although it certainly worked for a great lot of guys and dolls. No, use the mantra I use with my students --- don't fret it, let it go. We're working on longer pieces these days and we are working less hours a week a writing. This ain't no sprint, but I expect to be in the winner's circle just as much.

Exhibitionist? You Bet....

It was brought up to me last night in rather dismaying and disappointing fashion that I seem to be overly excited about publishing works. The context of this statement was made by a student in my writing class I was putting emphasis on this aspect as part of the course and for discussing, in the first place, with new writers. First, this is the stated goal of the course as found in the Course Catalog. Second, isn't this the underlying goal of why we write? Don't we want to share? We bear our souls outward on paper or on a screen for what purpose...? ---To lock our sentiments in a drawer only to be thrown away when we pass from this earth? Then why take a creative writing class? We are writers, we are performers at readings and on podcasts and on trailers; we blog and facebook and have websites for the whole world wide web to see and beg people to read and buy our intellectual property. Am I, a short, overweight, aging, Italian American male an exhibitionist by saying here I am and here is my stuff please read? Does that make me an exhibitionist for my dreams, nightmares and odd mental musings? ----You bet you __________ I am. And if you write, whether you have published or not --- you are too. And this is nothing to be ashamed of.