MUSINGS ON LIFE AND WRITING WITH SARAH BUCKLEITNER
Back when I worked in the animal shelter, I encountered a new concept: sometimes, when someone who frequently fostered animals in their home reached out to see if they could foster another, we'd talk about their "Capacity for Care." Meaning--did that person have the time, space and energy to properly care for an additional responsibility? … Continue reading On Capacity for Care
Warning: this post contains spoilers to Little Birds and Other Small Magic. Read at your own discrection. One of the most common questions I get about Little Birds and Other Small Magic is how much of the story and characters are based on events and people in real life. The answer: a lot. I stole … Continue reading On Stealing from the Real World in Writing Fiction
Over the last two months, I've been cranking on the sequel to Little Birds. Of course, as a parent to three small children and full time communications director, cranking looks a little bit different these days. Lately, it means choosing between knitting and writing each evening after we've gotten the kids into bed, or waking … Continue reading On Cranking Out Words
Hi folks, For some time now, I have been (slowly) working on a second book that's part of the Small Magic universe. Slowly is the key word. I was reflecting tonight (as I rocked a sleepy baby), that it's been almost three years since I started writing this sequel (or prequel?) to Little Birds and … Continue reading On Writing Updates: Book Two, Book One, and the Blog
I've been struggling to think of what to say about this whole publishing business. I'm a complete newb to the industry, so it's not like I can offer tips or wisdom. I also don't necessarily want to be placed in a position of teacher. I'd much rather learn alongside my readers (and from them, too!)--we're … Continue reading The Story of my Story
I vividly remember the first time I struggled with writer's block in a serious way. It was the summer between my sophomore and junior year, and I'd just spent a glorious month doing nothing but going for long, luxurious runs in the woods with our dog, meeting up at Barnes and Noble with my boyfriend, … Continue reading On Writer’s Block
Today's the day. My last day of work at my current job. I've had a lot of last days, each of them different and odd in their own respect. There was my last day as a Tree Inspector. That one was fairly easy to leave--I'd been hired seasonally for a three month position, and then … Continue reading On last days
Writing is hard. All forms of it--scientific writing, creative writing, blogging. It requires that we synthesize our often muddied thoughts into clear, concise language. It means stamping our realities into letter shapes so that others can access our experiences. Which, when I think about it that way, is really stinkin' cool. But also not the point … Continue reading 5 tips for getting words on the page
I have never read the Great Gatsby, although I've read about it in countless textbooks and popular books and heard it whispered through the halls of my high school. And I'd always imagined it as some untouchable work of art, with a topic so deep and meaningful that each word would be serious and profound. … Continue reading Jealous of the Great Gatsby
Feathery Thoughts 