As I read over the last draft to see what I have to work with, I’m amazed at how timid I am, afraid to describe fully, show these people in action. The draft is tight, tight with my fears. And now, in the polish, I have to unfurl it, make it blossom, make these [...]
Archive for March, 2008
Come into my parlor
Posted in writing process, tagged "French court", "Karleen Koen", "Louis XIV", fear, novels, writing on March 29, 2008 | 4 Comments »
Poetry in the morning
Posted in writing process, tagged "Karleen Koen", "Robinson Jeffers", "Tor House", California, Carmel, Celtic, houses, poets on March 22, 2008 | 3 Comments »
Not long ago, I was in Carmel, and I took a tour of the Robinson Jeffers’ Tor House. Robinson Jeffers was a poet widely known in the 20s, 30’s, 40’s. He appeared on the cover of Time Magazine in 1934. His poetry can be dark and convoluted, but also starkly beautiful. That’s how his house [...]
For you, Carmen
Posted in "Now Face to Face", reprints and new editions, sisters, tagged "Karleen Koen", "Now Face to Face", "Three Rivers Press", death, family, scenes, sisters, writing on March 15, 2008 | 3 Comments »
My second novel was just reprinted, and it gives me another chance to say, I love you, little sister, this is for you. My sister died in 1995. She was 42 and left six children behind her, the youngest five, the oldest 20. I’ve never seen anyone die finer than she did. No blame, no [...]


