I just finished a six-week online writing class taught by Ariel Gore, and I am experiencing post-class letdown. It felt great to be a part of a community of writers again and to be focused on writing, talking about writing and thinking about writing. In the class, I wrote two new short stories, one of which I am eager to complete revising so that I can begin submitting it for publication. I wrote a short piece that Ariel submitted to The Sun's Readers Write column. I also wrote a short, memoirish piece about counting worms on my way to school that I probably won't do anything with, but it was good practice for writing in a child's voice. I made some new friends in the class too, and we've agreed to keep in touch and send one another writing.

After my return from Skidmore in June, I managed to stay pretty focused on my writing, and I completed two short stories between June and October. I will be returning to Skidmore in June for the IWWG "Remember the Magic" conference. I recommend this conference to all women writers. I just cannot say enough about how empowering, creative and inspiring that week was.

I haven't yet figured out how to do italics for titles on this blog yet. As a grammarian, that drives me completely crazy, but the shortcuts don't seem to work on my Mac. I'll keep at it and will figure it out eventually.

Aloha and a hui hou.
Gillian