Face First: A Memoir [In Progress]

Face First, my current project, is the story of my quest to see clearly. It all began with a chance remark at my twentieth high school reunion, which, in turn led me to discover a disturbing family medical secret. Researching the inherited condition, I came upon a phrase that would unexpectedly change my life: face recognition.

The Best Creative Nonfiction [2007]

Creative nonfiction--what is it? It's my favorite form for writing. You research a topic just as a journalist does, but you have all the artistic freedom of a fiction writer--not in regard to the truth, but in the way you construct the story. The goal is to communicate information, just as a reporter does, but using tools fiction writers rely on: literary patterns, themes, and shapes.

The Practice of Creative Writing [2007]

The Practice of Creative Writing is for the introductory mixed-genre creative writing classroom. I've read student creative writing for almost 20 years, and written a great heap of it myself. This is what I've noticed: We learn all these rules. Then someone brings something to class and it ignores all the rules and its amazing. How? Why?

Chapter after Chapter: Discover the dedication & focus you need to write the book of your dreams [2006]

Chapter after Chapter is a different kind of writing book. It’s a method for completing the book you are working on (or have always wanted to write). Yes, you need to know how to structure your book. And you also need to know how to create the time you’ll need (it’s a lot) to write the dang thing. For most people, technical skill comes faster than “discipline.” You need both and that’s how Chapter is unique...

Page After Page: Discover the confidence & passion you need to start writing & keep writing (no matter what) [2004]

Page after Page is a writing book for people who don’t do the exercises in writing books. It’s written for those of us who feel the need to skip around when we read, making our own order for the chapters. Most “motivational” books make me feel I’ve purchased a palm-sized cheerleader, and she’s yelling at me in a tiny loud voice...