What can I write in 5 minutes?
I could use some writing advice…since I went back to work a month ago, I have done almost zero writing. …
Tag Archives: essays
Unfinished business
How many unfinished pieces of writing do you have? I have an embarrassing amount of essays that are about 90 …
A surefire way to blend scene and reflection in essays
The hallmark of an effective memoir or essay is the blend of scene and reflection, or the “show AND tell.” …
Reel Bay: An innovative, creative work of nonfiction
I enjoyed this book immensely. It’s about a woman’s search to find out more about Takako Konishi, who died in …
A tip for managing unwieldy essays
I’m a big fan of dumping my ideas onto a piece of paper when I’m writing an essay. It helps …
Review of Melissa Faliveno’s debut essay collection, “Tomboyland”
I’m often mistaken for a vegetarian. I don’t know why. Perhaps it’s my tattoos. Or my hair color—a shock of …
“Write something beautiful” — Dessa
I probably am the only remaining Minnesotan unfamiliar with Dessa’s music. I know who she is — how could I …
Read essays to write essays
“Read five poems for every one you write.” I read this piece of advice in the Jan/Feb 2020 issue of …
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. …
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 …
If You Have Five Seconds to Spare 
