Ghettoization of Genre Fiction

What's the difference between horror and gothic fiction? Not much. Gothic literature is horror approved by the establishment. As a horror reader, I think this false demarcation between horror and literature is unfair. Nothing I'm saying here is groundbreaking. But I've been reading more horror again, and I'm struck by how masterful some of the … Continue reading Ghettoization of Genre Fiction

Education

Beginning in January, I will be getting feedback on the book I wrote this year, as well as some other projects I've been working on. I'm looking forward to the mentorship. What I want is to get my poems to a point where I feel they're ready to be in a book. Whether or not … Continue reading Education

The Creative Calling and the Trad Wife

Being a traditional wife, or trad wife, can be open a world of creative opportunity. My number one goal is to be a good wife and a good mother, but I also have a creative calling. I'm a poet who dabbles in nonfiction, short horror, and short science fiction. However, though literature was my mind's … Continue reading The Creative Calling and the Trad Wife

Ambition

I used to be a very ambitious person, but now I don't really have any ambition. This has allowed me to embrace my life as is and enjoy the moment. I'm not always looking over the horizon to the next thing. Peace has become my default mode. I used to want to be published and … Continue reading Ambition

Birthday Girl

Today is my 36th birthday. My husband has spoiled me all day. Well, he always spoils me, but today he got me paints and tempera paint sticks and gelatos. Also, he got me a lovely art book. He made me stuffed shells (his stuffed shells are my favorite food) and got me a cake. I … Continue reading Birthday Girl

Writing

This has been a wonderful evening of writing. I've produced several poems. Of course, they all need various levels of revision. But some have potential! I've been reading and writing since I got home from lunch. We went to Mission BBQ today for Veterans Day. I'm so grateful to all who serve. The table for … Continue reading Writing

First Day of my MFA

Today is day one of my MFA, and I must say that despite some depression today, I have enjoyed it. I am rereading a favorite poetry anthology. Starting with books I own still leaves me with a ton of inspiring material. This book is special to me because I bought it in college when the … Continue reading First Day of my MFA

Designing My Own MFA

I am not going to grad school for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is money. (My disdain for leftist politics and an unwillingness to support a system of Marxist academics also play a role in me not attending. As does the fact I will make no money from such a course … Continue reading Designing My Own MFA

Lovely Day

Today we went into the city to go to an art museum dedicated to what is traditionally seen as craft or woman's work. It was fascinating! There were some really deep, beautiful things there, and I got some nice photos. We went out to lunch after the museum, then went back to town and grabbed … Continue reading Lovely Day

How to Be a Writer, an Artist, a Composer, a Dancer etc

Some of what I see in the writer sphere online and the art sphere too is really weird to me. There are articles and books that are titled "I wrote every day for a year. Here's what I learned." Or "I painted every day for a month. Is it beneficial?" Creative things should be done … Continue reading How to Be a Writer, an Artist, a Composer, a Dancer etc