Joe Cecil

"Write a longer story"

Yesterday, I came up with a list of writing exercises for myself, but there's one that I could have included and didn't: Write a longer story. It's a fair enough idea. A longer story ought to have continuity, so it could be a way

What might be missing from my stories?

I write fiction, and I often feel that something is off about the resulting stories. (Not to mention the process.) But I've never been able to put a finger on what is missing. There are lots of things it could be: 1. Theme. Specifically, intentional theme. 2. Characters.

Respecting the art

I write fiction, and I worry that I don't respect my 'art' enough. I don't have a special space or time or app set aside for writing. I don't have isolation. I don't have a block on my calendar. I&

Three ways of appearing

We are apparitions in each others' lives. I arise in other people's experience for a time. Later, their experience of me dissolves. It may arise and dissolve again, or it may not. The same is true for my experience of others. I see at least three ways

A list of items to consider when planning a trip

A list of things to consider: 1. Destination—that is, city or town I will end up at, and (separately) airport I will fly into. If you're not sure, Sky Scanner offers searching prices by month and by vague destination. For example, "United States (any)," or

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