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…]
For over 10 years I wrote for South Burlington’s The Other Paper. I was on the municipal beat and attending City Council, Development Review Board, and Planning Commission meetings, among others. Sometimes a last minute meeting would come up and the publisher would scramble for coverage. I just found this old email from one of those … [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…]
Check out the trailer Kate Taylor is a protagonist assistant working at No.2 Inc. When her employer’s equipment goes missing, it’s Kate’s mission to retrieve it. It reappears at a comic convention where the situation becomes far more complex. Kate reaches out to conference attendees to help her gather information about the … [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…]
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…]
Good writing is that guy you invariably end up sitting next to on the plane who wants to tell you every detailed encounter with the junior high bully, or every hobby his grandkids ever pursued… except when it’s good writing, it’s actually interesting. The story is compelling even though you’re not male or have never … [Read more…]
By Annalisa Parent www.annalisaparent.com For just shy of a decade, I reported for the city of South Burlington’s The Other Paper as their principal reporter. Here is one of my first articles, written about the founders of educational job site School Spring. Happy #TBT!
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.
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…]