Category: Craft of Writing

  • Short Story in The Rappahannock Review

    “The Old Women and Miss Fitt” appears in The Rappahannock Review.” My short story “The Old Women and Miss Fitt” appears in Issue 11:1 of The Rappahannock Review. The story begins: This story I’m writing began almost three years ago, late summer, Rose’s back porch, we four writers overlooking her apple orchard, the sky that…

  • Lynn Sloan interviews Three Writers

    For ABOUT WRITE, the Off Campus Writers’ online column, Lynn Sloan interviewed three writers who led the summer workshops on the craft of writing. For six years, Off Campus Writers’ Workshop has offered member-only summer workshops where writers read, discuss, and delve into a short story or essay. The purpose: to enjoy the piece’s impact…

  • Lynn Sloan talks with author Jan English Leary

    Lynn Sloan talked with author Jan English Leary about her new novel Town and Gown on its publication day, May 30. (Fomite Press.) Before a full house at Women & Children First Bookstore in Chicago, Lynn and Jan read sections of the novel, the entwined story of two young women in a small college town as…

  • Lynn Sloan Midstream Interview on Hypertext

    Lynn Sloan interviewed about Midstream and creativity for Hypertext Magazine. I had the great pleasure of sitting down with Patricia Ann McNair to discuss Midstream, my new novel, and creativity for Hypertext Magazine. Patty begins with how we met: “It was through her photography that I first became acquainted with Lynn Sloan, but it is…

  • Lynn Sloan interviews Patricia Skalka, mystery writer: On Writing A Book Series

    Lynn Sloan interviews Patricia Skalka, mystery novelist, for About Write, the craft column published by Off Campus Writers Workshop. The topic: “On Writing a Book Series: How’d She Do it?” In 2022, long-time OCWW member Patricia Skalka published Death Casts a Shadow (University of Wisconsin Press), the last of her Dave Cubiak Door County Mysteries, a seven-book series that…

  • Hypertext Magazine Presents

  • “Reasons to Hurry Up with that First Draft,” by Lynn Sloan

    Reasons to Hurry Up with that First Draft Writing a novel takes time. Between writing the opening line on the first draft to typing END on its last page, months and usually years have elapsed. For most of us writers, planners or pants-ers and those in between, the first draft involves false starts, trial and…

  • Interview with Fred Shafer, esteemed writing teacher and editor

    For Off Campus Writers Workshop’s a new online column devoted to writing: ABOUT WRITE, I was delighted to interview Fred Shafer, the esteemed writing teacher and editor, who has opened each new OCWW season for thirty-six years. Can writing be taught? This is a trick question. The subject is actively debated, but obviously, you believe…

  • My Essay in Write or Die Tribe

    Is this just me? Six months after reading a book, I seldom remember the characters’ names and only the most rudimentary elements of plot. Even with books I’ve loved! Character and plot are the foundations of fiction. That’s what writers are taught in classes, workshops, how-to books, articles, and websites. You need engaging characters and a…

  • FORTUNE COOKIES produced by LARK SPARROW PRESS

    Lark Sparrow Press, the fine book press operated by Craig Jobson, bookmaker, designer, and graphic artist, launched this hand-made, limited edition of Fortune Cookies, which includes seven of my very short stories, each involving a fortune cookie fortune. I’m thrilled have my stories appear in such a beautiful art book with bamboo covers, open-spine binding,…