Jess Wells's Blog

• A Dozen Muse Rules

  May 23, 2009

  • At the marvelous Saints and Sinners Conference in New Orleans, a young man asked me whether it was reasonable for his partner to rent an apartment separate from the house to remove him from distractions.  And of course one always thinks up a better answer/better scenario after the questioner ducks back into the crowd and I’m left without their email address.  So here’s my (improved) answer: ...
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• Six Word Memoir Contest at Smith Magazine

  April 30, 2009

  • Terrific, witty new contest at Smith Magazine: can you write your memoir as a mother in just 6 words.  I imagine that it's inspired by the Hemingway challenge that he could write a complete story in six words ("Baby shoes for sale. Never used." Or was that "baby crib"? Either way, a heartbreak, briefly said.)   Of course if you have teenagers they'll complain that you could ...
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• Report from the Key West Literary Conference on Historical Fiction

  January 17, 2009

  • I’d like to offer additional questions for discussion at the Key West Literary Conference: Historical Fiction and the Search for Truth.  Much of the discussion has centered on two questions: a) why write historical novels and b) what are the requirements of accuracy? How about: Eras in the past are marked by more than just a difference in fashion or modes of transportation; there have been ...
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