Blog Posts

  • Writing Critique Partners

    I can’t say enough about how important it is for a writer, or at least this writer, to take part in a critique group. The feedback I get from critique partners is invaluable. I sometimes think of my books as collective efforts. My settings take on smells and sounds. My characters begin to display mannerisms, Read more

  • Zumbathon

    The Santa Cruz Peace Chorale will hold a fundraising Zumbathon hosted by the Live Oak Grange on January 28th at 2:00 pm. A $15 donation at the door will go to support the chorale. I’ve never tried Zumba, but I hear it is a fun dance exercise and there are rumors it may involve tassels. Read more

  • Aviva College

    Sorry for the long break in posts. The holidays have been quite busy. I just got word that Aviva Institute, the online midwifery school for which I teach, has reorganized as Aviva College with a new executive team and beautiful new website. Aviva College will continue Aviva Institute’s legacy of providing post secondary education and Read more

  • Breadcrumbs

    Anne Ursu was my instructor for the wonderful week-long Whole Novel Workshop for Fantasy at Highlights Foundation last year. She is a gifted instructor and writer and has recently published what I believe is her best book, Breadcrumbs. NPR chose Breadcrumbs as its December Kid’s Book Club pick. Read their review at http://www.npr.org/2011/11/29/142862998/december-kids-book-club-pick-breadcrumbs. Then get Read more

  • Toto’s Tale

    There’s been a lot of talk on internet blogs about a spate of Oz based movies reported to be in production. Here’s a link to one of them: http://blog.moviefone.com/2010/05/19/whats-up-with-all-the-wizard-of-oz-spinoff-movies/ It just so happens that I was inspired a few years ago by my little rescue terrier, who came with the name Toto, to begin retelling Read more

  • Cohousing

    I recently attended a talk at the Museum of Art and History presented by Walnut Commons. Walnut Commons is a group of Santa Cruz people who have just purchased property downtown and are proceeding with plans to build a downtown cohousing community. The speaker was Charles Durrett, architect and author who has designed cohousing in Read more