The Botanical Building of Balboa Park: Reflections
On Thursdays, the building would remain closed to the throngs of visitors who, on other days of the week, would
On the Writing Life
I recently had a wonderful conversation with Patrick Greenwood, discussing my book and our outlook on the craft of writing.
April Snow in Utah
First, there were the many banners, undulating from windows high above as black sedans, the proud vehicles of state, drove
The Sound of Grace: Erik Satie and Gymnopédie No. 1
Perhaps you feel as I do about Gymnopédie No. 1, regarding it as a melody of the mind possessed of
To Capture Perception: On the Experience of Immersive Studies
Teach your writing students to feel the visceral aspects of life, to trace their subjects with powerful word images, and
Tracing the Image of Eve: A Homeless Woman in San Diego
The Voice of Leaves
On a very strange occasion, a woman screamed with considerable power, her voice tearing through the
Updates
Greetings and many thanks to you for sharing your coffee time with me, enjoying the latest essays and collages. I
An Occasional Absence: On the Poignance of Photographs
As a stationary expression of time, a photograph suggests the arrival of memories, not necessarily of the prosaic kind but
A Cardinal in the Superstitions: Reflections on Nature and History
I had never before seen the crested head of the Cardinal in its glory—at least, not in person. Though
Picture the Story: Writing Workshop Materials
For those who enjoy creative writing exercises, I have included a link to one of my workshop packages. I designed
