Tag Archives: Writing Classes

Independent Book Store Elliott Bay Book Company Navigates the New World of Publishing

Ebooks. Kindles. Nooks. Ipads. Wave after wave of change rocks the publishing industry as tech titans Apple, Google, and Amazon carve lucrative new businesses from the digital world. Amid the turmoil, many traditional book stores are closing or declining (witness … Continue reading

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Writing Class in the North Cascades: The Art of the Quest Narrative

I just returned from teaching a writing class on The Art of the Quest Narrative at the North Cascades Institute on Diablo Lake in the heart of the North Cascades. As usual, the class went very well as students had … Continue reading

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Planning or Spilling?

Are you a planner or a spiller? Do you like to think ahead about your writing or do you simply like to get black on white and let the Muse take you where she will? Though there is much to … Continue reading

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Writing for Story: The Secret Sauce of Compelling Narratives

When I conduct an interview, I never know exactly what I’ll find. Yes, I may have researched the person’s life in detail, perhaps even read their books, but I won’t know exactly what I’m looking for until I conduct the … Continue reading

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What Makes Washington Wine Unique?

Washington State’s star is rising. Awards flood in from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, the Wine Spectator and many other publications. But what’s distinctive about the region’s wine? Is there a style or flavor profile that sets it apart? Is there … Continue reading

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The Art of Wine Writing and Blending Wine

I enjoy writing about wine in part because I get to participate in the wine making process. I always find elements of beauty, discovery and ancient ritual in wine making. My story about Napa Valley wine touring appears in the March … Continue reading

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Fifth Issue of Writer’s Workshop Review is live!

The fifth issue of The Writer’s Workshop Review is now live! Please take a look: www.thewritersworkshopreview.net. The issue features an excerpt from Bird Cloud, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning author Annie Proulx’s new memoir and other literary riches: “Stuck … Continue reading

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Amazon: Friend or Foe of Book Publishers?

Everyone knows that Amazon.com sells lots of books. In fact, a recent Los Angeles Times article reports the Seattle-based company now accounts for 22 percent of the total U.S. book sales for key stores, thumping rivals Barnes & Noble and … Continue reading

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Publishing Opportunities

Publishers occasionally contact me looking for writers to contribute to their publications. Here are two that you might consider as homes for your stories: The editors at City Arts Magazine are now accepting submissions for Ampersand, City Arts print and … Continue reading

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Quest Narratives

The quest narrative is one of the oldest and surest ways of telling a story. The Odyssey is essentially a quest narrative, with Odyssey’s journey back to his wife and son serving as the basis for the quest. Since then, … Continue reading

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