Sophfronia’s Blog
Kind Words
A blog about what I find amazing, smart, beautiful, or just plain fun.
Connecting by Heart at Writers Conferences
I'm back from spending several snowy days in Boston for the AWP Annual Conference & Bookfair. Next week I'm traveling to Ohio to teach at another writers conference, at Columbus State Community College on March 23. These trips aren't easy when you consider the time away from my family and the expense [...]
When Words Fail a Writer
The last time I wrote in this space I reported completing the rough draft of my next novel. That was December 5, 2012, and I was looking forward to reviewing the year past and honoring the work I'd completed over the year as well as that of my clients who [...]
The Next Big Thing: What I’m Writing Now
[UPDATE: The draft of this novel is done! I mailed it to my VCFA advisor today, December 5. I'm actually looking forward to the revision process. For now, though, I'll celebrate with my usual chocolate reward. Cheers, Sophfronia] Right at this moment I’m about ten days away from completing the [...]
My Essay in Numero Cinq
I have an essay, "White Shirts," published this week in the online literary journal Numéro Cinq. It's about a walk with Lena Horne; it's about ironing; it's about my dad. It's about a lot of things! I am delighted, excited and just plain giddy. Please read and comment on the site at [...]
Book Review: Water and Abandon
Water and Abandon by Robert Vivian My rating: 4 of 5 stars Disclosure: The author of this book is a mentor and friend. (In fact, there's a picture of us in the header of this blog.) But as someone who has closely read all of his novels I believe I [...]
Your Writing: What’s It To You?
The Fall 2012 issue of Glimmer Train (Issue 84) opens with the following quote: "You do get to a certain point in life where you have to realistically, I think, understand that the days are getting short and you can't put things off, thinking you'll get to them someday. If [...]
Traveling at the Speed of Write
I feel I need to writer faster. And it's not because I have deadlines looming (which I do) and it's not because I'm writing at a snail's pace--I'm really not. It's because I'm in this place where writing is leading to more writing. Ever since I started the MFA in [...]
Book Review: The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers My rating: 5 of 5 stars The writing in this book is wonderfully subtle. It's as though Carson McCullers spends the whole novel chopping quietly away at a grand old oak tree. You don't realize so much is happening in the [...]
