Category Archives: Writing

Writing While Elsewhere

From Snorton’s Anthology of Dislocated Literary Composition (Abridged)Chronology of Writing While Elsewhere: An Addendum I’ve been re-reading The Portrait of a Lady, or attempting to, but I keep getting looped back into James’s utterly unhinged and relatable author’s preface. It’s a mini master class in both writing in general and on the importance of physicalContinue reading “Writing While Elsewhere”

Nota Bene

Pencils Down This Page Left Intentionally Blank (Unless You’re Reading it) If you are not the oneto whom I am writingStep off. This page has been leftIntentionally blank Like those little blue exam books.All potential.All allure. If you’re the one I’m examining, you’ll know it’s you. I’ll give you a penAnd the time for theexamContinue reading “Nota Bene”

Mega “Stuf” Grief as the Tide Continues the Drift

Now Playing: “Sugar Shack” by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs (1963)(It was my parents’ song because my mother’s parents once owned a tiny restaurant called the Sugar Shack. Isn’t that adorable?) Listen along! Today, I ate Mega Stuf Oreos and drank Coke Zero while trying to write my mother’s obituary. (She’s not gone yet, butContinue reading “Mega “Stuf” Grief as the Tide Continues the Drift”

The Trillium Dollar Question and the Approaching

Mackinac Island, a necessary breath in our life right now. When Barry’s workplace offered to take a busload, Word Raccoon tapped me on the shoulder and asked to go. Anything for WR.   We packed too many snacks, not enough caffeine, and a firm resolve to stay politely aloof from the group tour energy—until WordContinue reading “The Trillium Dollar Question and the Approaching”

Word Raccoon’s Poetry Has Been Published!

NOW PLAYING: Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) – Florence + The Machine Posted by Word Raccoon, Keeper of Glitter and Occasional Wisdom Friends, nibblers, poetic co-conspirators!I’m doing joyful somersaults in the compost heap today. My little raccoon heart is pitter-pattering like a vintage typewriter on a deadline. Because guess what? 🌟🌟🌟 Three of my poemsContinue reading “Word Raccoon’s Poetry Has Been Published!”

Never Give Up, Never Surrender by Way of Thoreau

Now Playing: “Take Me to Church” by HozierBecause Thoreau didn’t mean to baptize me with that one line—but here we are. It started, as so many of my creative urges do, with a touch of mischief. (My mischief is, generally, affectionate. If I write about you, I care about you, okay?) I was gearing upContinue reading “Never Give Up, Never Surrender by Way of Thoreau”

📡 Welcome to Poetropolis

🌀 Now Playing “Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)” by Florence + The Machine “There can be no understanding between the hand and the brain unless the heart acts as mediator.” —Metropolis (1927) Back in Service. You’ve entered a place where poetry isn’t distributed by algorithm or approval, but by intuition, accident, and emotional voltage. AsContinue reading “📡 Welcome to Poetropolis”

All In (Except When I’m Not)

Now Playing: Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance(or fine, “How Deep is Your Love” if you’re feeling unironically tender—Word Raccoon sees you.) Subtitle: In which Word Raccoon wears earrings, opens the door, and questions your life philosophy with snacks. Hi, Word Raccoon here.Let me start with a poem, one of my mostContinue reading “All In (Except When I’m Not)”

My Novel Is Like a Weary Mattress (And So Am I) Or, the Literary Powers of Love

Now Playing: The sound of the fan overhead. Because I’m too tired for anything else. Look, I know what you’re thinking. But this isn’t that kind of blog. I’m just saying: my novel is big, hard to maneuver, and no matter how I position it, it never quite fits where I think it’s going toContinue reading “My Novel Is Like a Weary Mattress (And So Am I) Or, the Literary Powers of Love”