Writers: Take a step back
Image from http://cute-pictures.blogspot.com/2014/05/hd-nature-scenery-wallpapers-for-desktop.html I received an important reminder today: Don’t be so caught up in the achievement phase that you …
Author Archives: rachaelhanel
Some short, wonderful definitions of “essay”
Rebecca Solnit, in her introduction to this year’s edition of Best American Essays, offers some wonderful, succinct definitions of essay. …
If you’re bored in Mankato, you’re doing something wrong
The past couple of weeks have been a cultural whirlwind in this rural Minnesota outpost we call Mankato. Lest you …
“Show, Don’t Tell” — not necessarily
Navigate on over to this brilliant essay by Sonya Huber about the dangers of following the “show, don’t tell” advice …
What’s making me happy: Sept. 1 edition
“No, Your Kid Shouldn’t Get a Gold Star for Reading,” by Pamela Paul, New York Times. I’m going to share …
On being a turtle writer
In terms of writing, I’m definitely a turtle, not a hare. Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Midland_painted_turtle.jpg Some days the writing just …
My favorite things: August 25
“The view through Quinn’s window,” CBS Sunday morning. What a heartwarming story! This little boy can’t go outside, so the world …
If you need general information about the SLA, here you go
The fact that new content about the Symbionese Liberation Army keeps popping up bodes well for my SLA-related project on …
My favorite things, Aug. 4: True Story, women’s body image, and an essay a day
“Stumbling Into Joy,” by Kate Hopper, True Story Issue #29. Kate is a Minnesota treasure, author of Use Your Words: A …
Slow progress is still progress
My mantra when I run is “forward momentum.” As long as I’m moving forward, I’m going to complete a run. …
If You Have Five Seconds to Spare 
