Today’s post is inspired by an award-winning fantasy and science fiction author I interviewed during my cross-country road trip, Michael Swanwick. For a time in the early 2000′s he played a character online by the name of “Unca Mike,” who took a different approach to writing advice: Most writing columns offer sound and useful advice […]
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Tag Archives: Writing
MFA Nugget: Inspiring Your Writing with Contemplative Practice
December 31, 2012 
23 Comments
MONTPELIER, VERMONT — As a creative writer, you know the importance of routine. Writing at a certain time of day, with a particular pen or inspiring sweater, anything that helps you find that quiet place where it’s just you and the words. But how often does life really let you find that place? That’s the […]
Read moreWhat Would You Like to See on The Artist’s Road?
December 20, 2012 28 Comments
This is your chance, dear readers, to weigh in on the types of posts you’ll see over the next year on The Artist’s Road. I’ve arranged below a list of categories into which Artist’s Road posts could most comfortably be fit. It’s a bit of a challenge, because while this blog has a theme–living the […]
Read more3 Steps For Creative Writers to Tell it Slant
December 10, 2012 20 Comments
Who’s up for a little creative insight from Emily Dickinson? Tell all the Truth but tell it slant Success in Circuit lies too bright for our infirm Delight The Truth’s superb surprise As Lightning to the Children eased With explanation kind The Truth must dazzle gradually Or every man be blind When I started my […]
Read moreThe Next Big Thing: Breaking the Rules
November 20, 2012 31 Comments
I have a congenital allergy to blog chains. But I’m loading up on as much pseudoephedrine as the pharmacist can legally sell me (no, I don’t run a meth lab) to participate in “Then Next Big Thing: My New Project” chain. I am to discuss my big writing project, then pass the task on to […]
Read moreMFA Nugget: Are You Sharing an Anecdote or Writing an Artful Story?
July 6, 2012 4 Comments
You crack people up at dinner parties. It seems there’s no end to your ability to draw a smile with a quick take on a past event. With so much material, writing it should be a cinch. Right? That is what Sarah Braud once thought. Sarah graduates today from the Vermont College of Fine Arts […]
Read moreDoes Insecurity Drive Creativity?
May 18, 2012 41 Comments
I had the pleasure yesterday of seeing a photograph, taken by my daughter, on display at a D.C. art show. Pleasure is an understatement; I was bursting with pride. Both of my children give me reasons to smile. My daughter’s art. My son’s grades. The thoughtfulness and generosity of both. And yet. As I was […]
Read moreWhy Do I Write? Because…
May 8, 2012 102 Comments
This thought exercise began over the weekend, as I was writing a guest post for another blog answering the question “When do I write?” (It should run next week; I’ll provide a link at that time.) Just a few weeks ago, I wrote another guest post answering the question “Where do I write?” I am […]
Read moreWho Has Your Creativity Sold Out?
April 27, 2012 71 Comments
Is your creativity selling out someone in your life? Joan Didion famously wrote that “writers are always selling somebody out.” Songwriters, painters, novelists and other creatives channel their life experiences when producing their art. Take my post on Tuesday, in which I passed along advice I heard at a recent writer’s conference about building a […]
Read moreCreativity Tweets of the Week – 4/20/12
April 20, 2012 5 Comments
You shouldn’t be reading blogs right now. It’s spring. Go outside and frolic in the grass. You can read these links later, in bed, while recovering from your allergy attack. CREATIVITY “4 Secrets of Great Critical Thinkers,” Paul J. H. Schoemaker, Inc.: I’m shocked “Eat bacon” isn’t on the list. “Slow down” is. “9 Inspirational […]
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