Posts by Kate
a work in progress
I love the latest Literary Reflections essay, up now at Literary Mama. “A Work in Progress” is about learning to balance motherhood and writing, and about the author’s realization that becoming a mother did not squelch her need/desire to write. Jennifer Itell is lovely. She teaches creative writing at the University of Denver and is…
Read Moremarie howe
Back in 2007, when I was pregnant with Zoë and deathly afraid of losing the pregnancy, I spent weeks on the couch with my feet up, willing my uterus to hold tight to that little bean. I lay there, wishing I could read, wishing I could focus, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t follow any kind…
Read Morewriting about adult children: an interview with momma loshen
As you know, I’m interested in the ways mother writers deal with the ethical issues that arise when they’re writing about their children. I’ve posted about it here and here. And you can read the responses of writers I’ve interviewed here and here. It’s easier to find essays out there about raising young children, and…
Read Morecreating your own integrity
Stella is on spring break this week, and something about that and the fact that it is surprisingly—strangely—warm outside makes me feel as if I should also be on vacation. I’m not, of course, but things have slowed down for me a bit. One class has ended and the other is winding down, so I…
Read Moreteaching, writing and lee
The other night I went to see Chang-rae Lee read and talk about his new novel, The Surrendered. I haven’t read much of his fiction, but I absolutely love his essay “Coming Home Again,” which he was gracious enough to let me use in my Introduction to Creative Nonfiction class at the Loft. I like…
Read Morebroadening the motherhood discussion
I have a review of Who’s Your Mama? and Unbuttoned, two interesting and important anthologies, over at Literary Mama this week. Please check it out. Happy Spring!
Read Morefirefly memoir writing retreat
I’m happy to announce that I’m leading another writing retreat this summer. This will be a memoir writing retreat with Firefly Retreats, which will be held at Xanadu Island Bed and Breakfast in Battle Lake, Minnesota. What: Memoir as Discovery Description: Writing is an act of discovery. Dive into your writing and find out what…
Read Morethe power of words
Thank you for your kind comments on yesterday’s post. I’ll keep plugging along, I promise. And because I’m going to keep plugging along, I have a few things to say about how women’s writing is described. So often in our society, writing by a group of people is lumped together and dismissed. This has certainly…
Read Morenine lives
The sun is finally shining here and yesterday was gorgeous, mid-sixties—almost unheard of weather for this time of year in Minnesota. It’s amazing what this does to the way I see the world. Hopefulness bubbles to the surface, escapes through my pours. I start imagining long walks and bike rides and loping, solitary runs during…
Read Morei swear i can fly!
I’m sorry I’ve been quiet this week. Zoë has been home sick the last two days with a fever, which means very little work time for me. And of course she’s sleeping next to me because I’m deadly afraid she’ll have another seizure. You probably wish you could hang out with me in person right…
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