August Eve or Lughnassandh is one of the three main Celtic Festivals: Samhain, in the Fall, Bealtaine in Spring and Lughnassadh, in summer.  Lughnassadh is celebrated when the harvest is over, and the fruits and grains are stored and ready for use during the long months ahead. Lughnassadh is also named for the Irish sun… Read More

sto-ry-tell-er: a: teller of stories, b: a reciter of tales, c: a writer of stories.   I recently researched a topic for a welcome letter for the PNWA writer’s conference that I’d like to share.  It discusses what it means to be a storyteller. The word in its current form, dates as far back as… Read More

Ask yourself; is your writing life a roller coaster, or a merry-go-round? This question occurred to me after watching the 1989 movie Parenthood with Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Jason Robards and one of my favorite actors, Keanu Reeves, before he became the mega star of Matrix.  Steve Martin’s character, Gil, wanted a quiet, uneventful life,… Read More

In researching the origins of Father’s Day, I found remarkable similarities between Mother’s and Father’s day. Both were tied to the Civil War and both were inspired by Anna Jarvis, the creator of Mother’s Day. (For details regarding Anna Jarvis, and the origins of Mother’s Day, you can refer to my blog). In 1909, Sonora… Read More

Although writer’s conferences happen year round, the summer months are packed solid. And as with everything in this world, there are varying opinions on how to select the conference that is right for you. Deciding the best one can be daunting. Below is a list I hope will help. Travel and time off: Can you… Read More

What do writer’s block and the black plague have in common? Both have the ability to strike denial and fear without warning. The good news is that, unlike the black plague, no one has ever died from writer’s block. In fact, many have grown quite rich from promoting the latest and greatest theory on how… Read More

A word is more lasting,  than all the riches of the world.                  From a Connacht Love Song Bridget, often called the “Flame of Ireland,” was born at sunrise and her birth celebrated with fire. Her father was know as the Dagda, who the Celts believed was an earth god responsible for life and death. She is… Read More

Originally, Mother’s Day was created as a way to help mend the pain caused by the Civil War. Although not quite a Celtic Legend, Mother’s Day, was inspired by those countries that celebrated Goddesses and respected the important role of mothers. In ancient times, the Egyptians celebrated the mother deity, Isis, who was regarded as… Read More

Writer’s Retreat  A word is more lasting than all the riches of the world. from a Connacht Love Song  Make a Writer’s Retreat a reality. Many authors dream of getting away. Yet the same questions of who, what, when, where and how, that cause writer’s block, sometimes grind those goals to a halt. Who should I bring?… Read More

Bealtaine – May 1st. If not a bowl of thy sweet cream, Then a cup to bring me cheer, For who knows when we shall meet again To go Maying another year.  Cornish Folk Song Happy May 1st. Bealtaine is perhaps one of the most long-lived and adaptive festivals. Many claim it was celebrated in… Read More