There are a lot of ideas out there that creativity only belongs to “creative types” such as Dickens, DaVinci or Debussy. Thank goodness this is just a myth. Creativity is something any person can access at any time– for painting, sculpting, writing? Sure. But for problem solving of any kind– cooking, engineering, or a roadside … [Read more…]
by Annalisa Parent www.annalisaparent.com I have a writer’s notebook. No, I do. It’s just that I haven’t yet gotten in the good habit of having it with me—all. the. time. So, of course, inspiration strikes when I’m at the grocery store, or at work, or in the car; and random notes get jotted down on … [Read more…]
A magna cum laude graduate of Middlebury College’s English Department & Creative Writing program, Parent studied writing under Julia Alvarez and Jay Parini. She’s been writing stories since she could hold a crayon. (Seriously. Check it out.) Her first poem was published when she was 10 years old, and she was selected to read it aloud … [Read more…]
Friday Night Writers’ Group Sometimes your critic gets in the way of creativity. Sometimes this happens so regularly that you procrastinate or lament having writer’s block. The key is to release your most creative self. But how? I love to write and published my first book in December. My specialty is in helping you tap … [Read more…]
The Almost Right Word: A Talk by Stephen Kiernan By Annalisa Parent The basic building block of writing is, of course, the word. As famous British poet and critic Samuel Coleridge once wrote “Prose is words in their best order—poetry is the best words in the best order.” As writers, therefore, regardless of genre, we … [Read more…]
This article “The Rules of Writing are Nothing like the Rules of Real Life” that I wrote for Medium has gotten a lot of attention recently, and I was honored when a reader highlighted this section as meaningful. Click the photo below to read the article, and please feel free to overshare. Got something to … [Read more…]
I’ve just gotten the news that my book review of Skip Press’ How to Write What You Want and Sell What You Write has been published by the Australian Writers’ Magazine Writer’s Edit. I am so pleased and honored, and hope to do more writing for them in the future. I was especially honored by this … [Read more…]
I am so delighted to have fantasy writer Barbara Alsop writing for the Medium Channel I edit. Please check out her article Are Writers’ Workshops Really Helpful? I am currently seeking guest bloggers to write about the writing process and the writing life. If you are interested in submitting, please send your pitch and writer’s … [Read more…]
I very much enjoyed meeting some amazing people at the recent Burlington Writers’ Workshop “Special Topics in Nonfiction: Blending Journalism and Memoir” workshop I ran. And what a nice note from writer Wendy Anderson I received. Thanks, Wendy. I look forward talking writing at another upcoming workshop. In the meantime, please subscribe to my … [Read more…]
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 have ever … [Read more…]
In the interest of keeping all things in one location: here are the two links to the reading on Special Topics in Nonfiction: Blending Journalism and Memoir We will be discussing Jennie Yabroff”s Can Memoir Be Journalism? Of Course it Can – And Here’s Why and Susan Shapiro’s Make Me Worry You’re Not O.K. (Click on … [Read more…]
It only seems appropriate on this voting day: the participants have decided! The four-week memoir writing workshop I lead will continue for another four weeks. (I guess that technically makes it an eight-week memoir writing workshop, but, hey, we’re not here to do math.) We’d love to have you join in on the fun! Email … [Read more…]
I was so excited to receive the news this week that two of my poems will be published in Hotel Vermont’s Quarterly. Both Resolution and Off the Coast of Avanzamento were accepted and will appear on nightstands throughout the hotel. (Sleep inducers or inspiration while gazing out over Lake Champlain… you decide. 🙂 ) I was honored by … [Read more…]
Odd things happen when you google yourself. Like something on this list just doesn’t fit: Can you find it? Well, either it doesn’t belong or I’ve secretly been transformed into a hippo. You decide. If you missed the video clip from my television writing and producing days, click the link above, and sit back … [Read more…]
Now, Williams wasn’t up there reading a list. She sprinkled her wisdom amongst well-crafted anecdotes that made me laugh and made tears roll down my cheeks. She is, after all, a gifted story teller. But as I sat among hundreds of fellow writers, we who agonize in immeasurable time for the one perfect word to … [Read more…]
By Annalisa Parent www.annalisaparent.com The four-week writing workshop started last night. We look to have a great group; it’s the biggest I’ve run yet. I am really excited to meet all of these writers and to hear their stories as the workshop unfolds. We may run a second session depending on demand, so stay tuned … [Read more…]
By Annalisa Parent www.annalisaparent.com There is still room in this writing workshop I am offering. It begins in October. Email access@cvuhs.org to enroll or for more information. Last semester we had a great time, so come on down and join the fun!
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.