The two memoir-writing classes I lead in person are both starting up again this week after a month-long break. I don’t give writing prompts during breaks, but I encourage writers to write about whatever they’d like and read it at the first class of the new six-week session. Mel Washburn came back with this fast-paced, […]

A lot of you have been asking me how everything went during my Tuesday visit to the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie. The Visitor Experience Coordinator there (along with a museum consultant) invited me to come Tuesday to take a tour and do an accessibility review and walk-through of the museum on behalf of people […]

What a pleasure it is to feature José DiMauro as our guest blogger today. Born in Argentina, José graduated from medical school at Univ De Buenos Aires and left home in 1963 to start his medical career at Chicago’s Mercy Hospital. From there he became a board certified pathologist at University of Illinois in Chicago. […]

The “I have a Dream” prompt I assigned writers in my classes last month inspired them to write about dreams they have for the world, for their country, and for their loved ones. Some even wrote about recurring nightmares! The one that surprised me the most? This flattering essay by today’s guest blogger Lola Hotchkis. […]

I came across drafts from my book “Writing Out Loud“ a week or two ago while searching for something else on my computer. I was delighted when notes about one of Wanda’s stories about a special Christmas popped up. In 1927, Wanda received a very special present from Santa. I knew right then I’d be sharing […]