This is a great article on writing by fellow writer Diane MacKinnon. It’s well worth the read and has certainly inspired me today. Are You Taking Massive Action or Passive Action? My friend and mentor, Brooke Castillo, has often spoken about taking “massive action.” Her definition of massive action is taking action until you get the results you … [Read more…]
By Annalisa Parent www.annalisaparent.com Every summer I have the honor and pleasure of teaching a six-session English writing intensive workshop at one of the local universities. This year I focused all of the activities around Dickens’ little-known short story “The Signal Man.” If you’ve not yet read it, it’s worth checking out, and best of all, … [Read more…]
What To Do When the Power Goes Out OR How I organized my writing life By Annalisa Parent www.annalisaparent.com I was in the middle of revising the first three chapters of my first novel for the agent pitch session this weekend –scratch that: tomorrow!– when my computer died. Just shut off! Mid-sentence. Panic! Fortunately I am … [Read more…]
By Annalisa Parent www.annalisaparent.com Congratulations to one of the best writing mentors I’ve had the honor of working with, Julia Alvarez on receiving the National Medal of Arts this week.
By Annalisa Parent www.annalisaparent.com “On writing” books are a dime a dozen, but the good ones are far and few between. To continue my use of worn-out phrases, Skip Press‘ How to Write What You Want and Sell What You Write is the exception to the rule and anything but cliche. Originally published in 1995 and … [Read more…]
I am proud today to have been accepted as a member of the League of Vermont Writers. I look forward to attending their upcoming conference and meeting others as passionate about the craft as I.
I had the distinct honor of working with Geof Hewitt at the recent CCYWC Poetry Slam. He moderated and I keep score. Well, OK, he called me his “Score keeping Angel,” but that’s a bit over the top, don’t you think?
By Annalisa Parent www.annalisaparent.com Writers’ conferences are wonderful opportunities to remember that, as writers, though we write alone, we are not alone. Last evening I was treated, without hyperbole, to the most beautiful author talk I have ever had the honor to experience. Terry Tempest Williams is one of the most genuine and present people I … [Read more…]
With the recent winter being one of the coldest on record, Vermonters need, more than ever, to get out and enjoy a good time. Well, spring has sprung in more ways than one, and the Green Mountain Comedy Festival is here to help you dust the cobwebs off your funny bone. “Comedy in general … [Read more…]
By Annalisa Parent www.annalisaparent.com The rules of writing are nothing like the rules of real life. In real life we censor ourselves, leave out the gory or embarrassing or overly personal details of the stories we tell about our daily lives. In writing, we have to be so brutally honest about the human emotional reality … [Read more…]
This is the reading we will be discussing in the May 20 Creative Nonfiction workshop. Anne Lamott is a fabulous writer with helpful reflections on the writing process. If you’ve not yet read her book Bird by Bird, I highly recommend picking up a copy. How to plot a novel
Today I held the first meeting of a writers’ workshop for teens. We had a lively discussion about a poem written by one of the girls. How rewarding to be a part of these budding writers’ journey. I look forward to more conversations at our weekly meeting.
I wrote and produced sketches as the Copy Producer for Late Night Saturday. This is from a series I co-wrote called “The ODd Couple.” The Odd Couple was always doing something stupid. After they got their cat Mr. Pitters, which was an adventure unto itself, here’s what happens when they move across town with him. … [Read more…]
The article I wrote for Thread Magazine on the Burlington Writers’ Workshop 2014 Anthology Book Launch has been published. Here’s a preview: words & photography // Annalisa Parent With the launch party for the second annual “Best of Burlington Workshop” anthology, the Burlington Writers Workshop served up a serious appreciation of literature — while not … [Read more…]
I am really excited that after yesterday’s success of my first guest blog post with Singles Warehouse (London) that they have asked me to have a regular feature on their site. Didn’t get a chance to read the article? Click this photo:
My article “Is it OK to break up with someone by text?” was published by Singles Warehouse (London) today. They have asked me to be a regular guest blogger on dating issues. Is it OK to break up with someone by text? This summer after three dates that went well, dinner on the waterfront, and … [Read more…]
See my thoughts on organic hits on facebook pages from a recent interview with lonelybrand.com. (Read the full article here.) What tips do you have for promoting your work?
By Annalisa Parent www.annalisaparent.com In one of my writing lives, I write sassy columns about dating life. Today I’m here to sass about grammar. Every writer has her pet projects, her grammar or syntax particularities, and her pet peeves. For example, one of mine is agreement. How many of you would have written “Every writer has … [Read more…]
Sadly, the four-week memoir writing workshop I offered at a continuing education program came to a close last evening. The participants and I were having such a great time together, they asked to extend the class another four weeks! It was an honor to be a part of a great group of people and to hear their writing … [Read more…]
I am so excited to have teamed up with Zach Despart at Thread Magazine. I will be covering the Burlington Writers’ Workshop “The Best of the Burlington Writers Workshop 2014” Book Launch Party this Friday for publication next week.