for original writing of self and others
Six-word memoir was hot this year. And, it’s fun as well. Some time back I phoned in my 6-word memoir: Country girl roamed. Home grazing sweetest. and my 6-word description of “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary” A downhome family lovestory beyond death. for the May Story Circle Network Podcast. Frankly, I’d forgotten all about it. Then,…
Erwin A. Thompson, author of Thompson Western Series and Folk Treasure I will share my secret of being able to write when there is no time for writing. When I am in a boring job that only requires my presence, when I wake up at night and tend to remember all of the dirty deals…
Riehlife National Poetry Month Editor Stephanie Farrow writes: Dear Friends, It has been such a treat to share poetry during this past month. Thank you all for participating! Because today is the last day, I’d thought initially that the final poem should be deep and meaningful, inscrutable perhaps and profound—something along the lines of what…
One of my greatest pleasures in being an author and having my book “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary” out in the world is hearing from readers. This note and two beautiful photos of one of my homeplaces, Lake County, Northern California, arrived from John Frary recently. I was so touched that I wanted to share it.—JGR…
Wizard Altar, by Janet Riehl “Thinking as if…magic is real.” If someone gave you a million dollars, what would you do with it? If you could be a character from any book, who would you be? What is the silliest thing to ever happen to you?
For me, family dates are engraved on my heart. March 13th will ever be Julia’s day. Will ever be my sister’s birthday. She lives within us, and curiously, seems to age right along with us. On this birthday, and every birthday, she lives beyond her death day. In 2005 on the first birthday after Julia’s…
Janet Grace Riehl and Erwin A. Thompson, father-daughter writing team TREASURE CHEST by Janet Grace Riehl from “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary” He labors in the grove of service. Remembers flat tires, repaired. Loans proffered for crises. Then his somber face glows with the light of a thousand-watt angel. Memories of good turns returned is a…
Yvonne Perry of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services asked me to send her a poem for her February newsletter. Click here to read the entire newsletter. I sent an excerpt from WINDOW FRAME originally published in “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary” and dedicated to my mother Ruth Evelyn Johnston Thompson (January 4, 1916-May 1,…
When Jake Lorfing and I were talking yesterday about some long ago work I felt would be worthy writing material, he said, “But I don’t remember anything; it’s too long ago.” I suggested he do a Sensory Scan. You can do this, too. 1) Take each sense in turn: sight, sound, taste, touch, smell. 2)…
“Audience Buzz,” a newsletter of World Audience, Inc. (303 Park Avenue South #1440, New York, NY 10010-3657, United States,Tel: (646) 620-7406)–“A 21st century publishing corporation, owned by its writers”–featured my poem “Crocus” in their January 2008 issue. You can read “Crocus” on the sidebar of Riehlife under the “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary” category. Then, go…