Yale

Teaching fiction at the Yale Writers' Conference. It's always wonderful to be here.

Lux et Veritas

View from my classroom window

Lighting in Linsly-Chittenden Hall

Rob Spillman Interview at Origins Online

I'm one of the editors at Origins Journal, which has just posted this interview with Tin House editor and 2015 PEN/Nora Magid Award for Editing winner Rob Spillman:

winnneolkjwlekjflskdjf laskdjf lkasdjf 2015 PEN/Nora Magid Award for Editinwinner, Rob Spillman:  

On Keeping Diverse Voices in the Light

So excited to have him in the magazine!

Microfiction Assignment: Day Seven

Previous exercises here:

Day One: Intro and Drafts

Day Two: Get Concrete

Day Three: The A-to-B Journey

Day Four: A New Draft

Day Five: Tighten Your Sentences

Day Six: Two New Drafts and a Revision

Look at all you've written this week. Choose your favorite piece. Rewrite it, doing whatever you think will improve it. Spend twenty minutes on it. Or more. As much time as it takes to make it as good as you can.

Now consider submitting it to one of these publications: 

Microfiction Monday Magazine —up to 100 words
100 Word Story —up to 100 words
The Offing — Microfiction category: up to 560 characters (not words!)
Nanofiction — up to 300 words
Flash Magazine — up to 360 words

If you're one of my Yale students, please bring your drafts to New Haven. I'll let you know which day to bring them to class. I can't wait to see them!

Microfiction Assignment: Day Six

 Previous exercises here:

Day One: Intro and Drafts

Day Two: Get Concrete

Day Three: The A-to-B Journey

Day Four: A New Draft

Day Five: Tighten Your Sentences 

Today you'll write two new drafts and do one revision.

Set your timer for five minutes. Write the strangest, most offputting, most uncomfortable first draft possible. Look at the the picture below if you want.

Set your timer for for five minutes. Write the strangest, most fun, most daring fist draft possible. Center it on something you secretly love. Maybe something you've never admitted to loving. If you want a picture, find your own. Here's a good place to look.

Choose your favorite of these two drafts. Set your timer for ten minutes. Revise it, using all you've learned so far.

Next: Final Revisions and Where to Publish

Edvard Munch, Self-Portrait in Hell, 1903