I made it through the weekend, even submitted my final short story for the first ever (!) 48-Hour Short Story Race three hours ahead (!) of the deadline. With anticipation, I refreshed my inbox repeatedly, waiting for the directions and my assigned prompts. I'd read the welcome email a number of times, but the prompts... Continue Reading →
I entered a writing competition, a 48-hour short story race. Maybe I'm making it into more than it actually is, but because I'll be judged and I'll receive feedback, I'm putting some serious level pressure on myself. "No pressure, no diamonds" So. From 7:00 p.m. tonight until 7:00 p.m. Sunday, I'll be plot diagramming, drafting,... Continue Reading →
Cactus League pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in Scottsdale, AZ in a mere 12 days on February 12. The spring air is slowly, slowly trying to gain momentum. And I can almost hear the crack of the bat. I can almost smell the hot dogs and peanuts. The Cactus League, a debut from... Continue Reading →
I finally pulled the trigger and bought my first tarot deck. Yep. It's really happening. I already have my crystals - blue calcite, black tourmaline, and selenite; plus, I've got sage for when things need cleansing. It was just a matter of time before I found the perfect deck. At the suggestion of my pal... Continue Reading →
I'm a sucker for a romance novel. Give me a forlorn woman in search of a man to take on a date, show off at a wedding, or flaunt in front of an ex, and I'm in. Yes, I realize this all seems very anti-whateverism that people often expect from me, but these kinds of... Continue Reading →
"You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
I just ordered a book from the Big A - not because I like giving Jeff Bezos my money, but because the book is by a student and I want to support her. The slim volume arrived at my door, clad in the blue and white packaging, and I ripped it open; I marveled at her creation.... Continue Reading →
Sarah Moss's sparse novel Ghost Wall is the story of Silvie - short for Sulevia, an ancient British goddess - her soft-spoken mother, and her Iron Age-loving father. The three inhabit the northern ends of Britain, Northumberland, and Silvie's father, a truck driver, volunteers them to partake in an Experiential Archaeological study conducted by a local professor during his two-week vacation.
In the last eight weeks - approximately 56 days - I've graded 140 essays. That represents a good chunk of my time; honestly, it takes me nearly four hours each time I score a batch of 28 AP Literature essays.
Is anyone else creeped out by this Dove chocolate message? #agentletouchspeaksvolumes
shelly. walston. writes. 