Learning To Read I loved books even before I could read. Before I could read, I would demand that my mother read the same book over and over until I’d memorized it. She got so frustrated that she bought me a tape recorder and began recording the books I loved so that I could just…
Tag: Writers
It’s Caturday and We Have Questions
Hey, all! Big Cat and Little Cat are curious about mentorship today. They wanted to start by thanking the teachers who long ago taught them to sit on Erika’s keyboard…or face when she’s trying to write. It seems to come so naturally to them. Turns out there’s a technique to it. Who knew? Anyway, drop…
An Archaic Concept Of Me
Editor’s note: Welcome to our first serial! John will be making these “deliveries” to us once a month on a Thursday. The Opening: I was young; I was anxious; I was bound to an archaic concept of me. She smoothed my mind and body with her sunny day thoughts and yoga softened hands. I agreed…
It’s Caturday and We Have Questions
Big Cat and Little Cat drank a bit too much milk last night, so most of their queries today have been: “Where’s the aspirin?” But in the spirit of the New Year, they’d like to know if you have any New Year’s Resolutions concerning your writing? What are you planning to write in the New…
Banned Books Redux?
New Book Bannings A couple of months ago, during Banned Books Week, I wrote that banning books is really about protecting fragile adults, not children. Since then, it seems like there’s been an explosion of efforts to restrict access to books, especially books about queer topics. My own school district in Florida has dealt with…
Eric, the Teacher & Researcher: A Horror Story
My name is Eric, a teacher and a husband. In the daytime, I teach and research. In the night-time, I rest and cook, and sometimes run and play music. Lately, I do research, teaching preps, proposals and plans. Cooking and running in the evening. Seven days a week. I don’t mean to scare you, but…
Mental Health Before Writing
Self-Care For a Disabled Writer I wouldn’t be the writer I am if it weren’t for the particular set of challenges that I have. The one who writes about my own difficult truths, one who tries to do it with sensitivity and compassion for the people who are reading it. I frequently forget to extend…
Girls*
Girl No. 1 Did you brush your teeth? Did you put cream on? Did you wash your face before you put cream on? I told you to have the pro-bio before having breakfast. Now what about water? Drink water before food. How many times have I told you that having a bottle of water is…
Writer’s Block: Bad Days are Easier
By Erika Grumet I’ve been staring at blank pages for days, deadlines lurking right around the corner on my calendar… wandering between in a funk because I can’t think of what to write about and Kermit-arm-flailing panic that the words are never going to come back. I don’t exactly think of it as “writer’s block”…
Real Isn’t How You Were Made, It’s Something That Happens to You
The other night, while I was trying to get some writing done, and really struggling, and had gone through all of my usual techniques for getting my head into the right place, I took a break, and stuck this little note to my keyboard. I’ve talked a lot about not being a “real writer.” I’ve…