At the Start of a New School Year

The Autumn Semester begins this week at Ohio State University where I’ll be returning from sabbatical and a summer unlike any other in my life. As many of you know, my wife Cathy was diagnosed with breast cancer and is still going through chemotherapy. She’s gone through the roughest part of her treatment and is…

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Gatsby and the End of Summer

Tomorrow, I leave bright and early for Vermont which explains why I’m posting this today. For the past thirteen years, I’ve taught at the Vermont College of Fine Arts Postgraduate Writers’ Conference. I often teach a workshop in the novel, and when I do, I ask my participants to read The Great Gatsby. That novel…

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Try Again: Hope and the Writer

Such a beautiful day in early November—sunny and warm with temperatures in the 70s. I’ve noticed a number of people putting up their outdoor Christmas decorations—all right, I’ll admit I hung lights from my eaves yesterday, taking advantage of the good weather, so I wouldn’t have to be freezing in the cold later. Outside of…

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