In the first stages of the pandemic, we saw everyone “taking the opportunity” to learn new stills and take on new projects “to fill the time.” Everyone loved to say how “Shakespeare wrote King Lear while in quarantine.” I had been doing research for a new story, but no new ideas for how to actuallyContinue reading “2021 To-Done: writing through a pandemic”
Author Archives: bethannacook
20-tens Retrospective
Ten years ago I was living in Orange County, CA. I loved being close to my mom and sister and getting to spend a lot of time with them. I loved my job working the front desk of a dance studio and getting to know the young dancers and their families. But Orange County wasn’tContinue reading “20-tens Retrospective”
Why I stay to watch the credits
First, I’m lucky enough that Fernie Brae exists right here in my own Portland, OR. Second, thanks to a new friend connection, I was lucky enough to score a last-minute spot to an event that made my heart soar. Two nights ago, Fernie Brae hosted a Q&A panel with artists who worked on the incredibleContinue reading “Why I stay to watch the credits”
How Do You Know?
[When I started drafting this post, I switched from my regular writing station on Pandora to my Christmas station, and the first song it played was the one with my heroine’s name. The Latin version of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” sings Gaudé, which is Gaudiloquence’s nickname. I take this as an excellent sign.] Continue reading “How Do You Know?”
What it feels like to be writing again
Escaping the August heat by inching my way into the cold waters of the Quarry to float on an inner tube. Connecting with new and old friends in the water. Knowing I might get sunburned but not wanting to leave to reapply. Talking in British accents for no reason. The strawberry sencha is finally backContinue reading “What it feels like to be writing again”
Why did I start a Muppet blog?
I haven’t been “writing” in the traditional sense much lately. After getting Gaudiloquence as good as I can get it (for now), I knew it was time to once again tackle the long, difficult process of revising one of my rough drafts. I chose Princesses in the Trees, a speculative fiction about 12-year-old Jacinda who getsContinue reading “Why did I start a Muppet blog?”
Going Forward
At the PNWA conference this summer, I attended a presentation called “What to Expect When You’re Publishing.” I asked the presenter a question that’s been gnawing at me for years… How do you know? We’re told that you should only start querying agents when your novel is as good as it can possibly get. But we’reContinue reading “Going Forward”
Making Something: “Solidarity in Fiction”
Yesterday, I was halfway through facilitating the second and final day of our annual staff retreat when the new Inkwells arrived. I forgot how exhausted and stressed out I was; instead, I shrieked and pranced. Finally. Inkwell is the annual publication written and edited by the staff of the Writing Center where I work. This is myContinue reading “Making Something: “Solidarity in Fiction””
PNWA 2016
I knew I’d go back to the PNWA conference again this year. I didn’t have an agent, so I needed to pitch my book again. I wanted to make new friends and reconnect with the ones I’d made last time. I missed the electricity of three wonderful days in the company of hundreds of fellow word nerds.AndContinue reading “PNWA 2016”
For Give
A lot can happen in seven months. When I last wrote in September, I went away for five blissful days at my summer camp for grownups. When I came back, everything changed very suddenly and painfully. During the months of recovery, I tried a few times to get back into the habit of writing everyContinue reading “For Give”
Beth Anna Cook 