Music and Memory

I’m back from Context 27 and it was a great time. Steven Saus and Lucy Snyder did an excellent job of Programming and Workshops. My audiences were engaged, inquisitive, and eager to learn. That’s ideal for workshops. I’m so pleased that many of my students thanked me after my workshops and panels were done. Betsy Mitchell was wonderful to talk to and Jonathan Maberry was a joy to meet. He really is that awesome. I finally got to go to an Apex party and taste Jason’s “red stuff” and “purple stuff.” The Apex parties legend for a reason. Geoffrey Girard was part of it with his Cain’s Blood (too tasty for safety for me). Context 27 really was a good conference. If you are looking for an intimate, informative writing convention, Context is a good choice. And now for the great, big shock… I spent a lot of time talking...

Today J.W. Donley talks about how limits can give you the freedom you need to write. I know, personally, that I work better within guide rails. When I have too many options, I get stuck trying to create my own limitations. Writer’s block sucks. As a writer, there is nothing more stressful than staring at the blank page and then the sense of self defeat when the page is still blank after hours and hours of mental strain. Some writers claim that writer’s block does not exist. And I get that sentiment. You can always write something. Just start putting down pointless words until something useful pops out. While this is great to get going at times, I don’t find that sort of writing to be the most helpful. It usually leaves me with more of a mess than workable prose. But, if that’s your vibe, you do you. And...