4:46 am. Wow; you were either up very l ate or very early. Thanks for reading my piece. I don't have any light to shed on the association between the fish and the mother-daughter Christmas scene. I just grabbed random pieces from a variety of memories and then embellished like crazy. One thing I can always count on when writing about Freud is that the reader will bring to the piece a fuller readiness than usual to appreciate the possible depth of all matters. Which is why I like writing about Freud.

Actually, whenever the spirit moves me. I try for at least twice a week, often more frequently to maintain my following. If there's nothing happening on the site, hits start dropping. When I increase my post frequency, the numbers increase again. Very statistically-logical -- so unlike me!

Oh.. me too! And I've been at it since January!

I am not in graduate school right now, although I have an MA in Drama Therapy. I picked up creative writing after a long hiatus about 6 years ago, and am very fortunate to have found my voice in Young Adult literature. My first novel will be out in the fall of 2010! My second has been submitted to the publisher (keep your fingers crossed for me!) and I am procrastinating on my third!

Thanks so much for welcoming me! Are you a PhD student? Wow! I can't wait to be back in my writing habit . . . it's been a few weeks! (Using family and transitions as an excuse) Of course right now all three of my kids are sick, so that doesn't help!

Thanks, Erika! I read The Alchemist in English, and I'm sure you're right that many things get lost. I'm sorry you had trouble posting, though. I'll check on that. Maybe I'll try posting the comment that you wrote here, just to see if I can do it.

I appreciate your comments, Erika. I'd like to check out your blog, too.

Mostly humor, commentary on everyday minutiae. CurrentIy write a column and blog. I do slogan, title, speech, and other miscellany, too, though.

That particular contest is closed. However, I'll let you know if I hear of any other writing contests. Twitter's a good way to find out about them.

thank you Erika!

Hi Erika - I just posted my yaiku entry in a writing contest on my web site.

http://candygaucho.com/2009/09/09/jumping-kaleidoscopic-lemon-moons-a-yaiku-shortlisted-for-chris-guillebeaus-unconventional-writing-contest/

The nice thing about yaiku's is they are short and painless....

I hope it catches on.... ; )

Actually, I made up the concept years ago during an extremely boring meeting. It has since kept me awake during many other occasions and, even better, I have something to show for it. I gave it the official name "yaiku" a few months back when I entered Chris's contest.

Erika, you rock! Thanks for joining the Yaiku group. Can't wait to see what you come up with! I believe my yaiku was one of the shortlist in Chris Guillebeau's writing contest, if I'm the same "Amy". : )

Once I've added some Peru pics onto my Flickr I'll send you the link and yes I'm a big believer in signs. x

Traveling is when I truly feel free. I find sometimes you have to take a risk and just plan it. With Peru I just randomly booked my flights and then concentrated on finances to support it..not very sensible I know. I know I should write more, practice more but I only ever write well when I'm emotionally charged. Maybe I should experiencing life more too :)

You might, then, be interested in the NaNoWriMo group. They're all planning to write 50,000 words on their novels this November. http://www.shewrites.com/group/nanowrimo is the group, and you sign up for an account at http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Well, I learned about the Virtual Critique group. But as far as SheWrites overall--I've made a few friends, actually, ones I can have meaningful discussions with. The Flash and Micro|Fiction & Nonfiction group is the most active of the groups I belong to. But Essay Writing is also very good, as is New York (if you live in or spend significant time in New York).