Attic Office in the (surprise!) Attic Office May 9th?

Hello Invisible Officemates!

It's been a whole year, and it's time for a party. Okay, a brunch. With doughnuts.

Time for Katie to fly in from St. Louis, and Kyra and Stacey to catch a camel from NYC, and all the prodigals to return.

Invite any new graduates (and how did Sean Keck escape our net, incidentally?) to The Attic Office May 9th 11-1.

If you're not there, we'll blow kisses towards your last known location, but please come if you can!

And tell new folks to start thinking about that desk. Remember those days? Yes, it's our little welcome ritual.

I've missed you all!

Kim

Word Cloud

Hi Writers,

I found a fun website (wordle.net) that turns a chunk of text into a "word cloud." The more frequently a word appears in the text, the larger it appears in the cloud. Not only is it fun, but you can see if there is a word you're subconsciously using over and over. And did I mention it's pretty? Some wallpaper designer should snap up the rights to this immediately.

This is a cloud for a story I've been working on. The character's names are all bigger, which makes sense, but I've no idea why I used the word "back" so many times.

Thoughts on American Writing . . .

Found this fairly interesting - it would certainly be worth reading through the comments. Flash fiction is even mentioned - wonder if anyone can find nanofiction?

Winners

I'd like to submit a new post category for your consideration, called "Crap That Wins." To avoid bitterness as we send work out there into the world, we need to have our eyes open. After all, writers can be as much united by what they hate as what they love.
Exhibit A:
http://www.artsintransit.org/PIM09.html

Nano on a Mission

Need something to do with your awesome Nanos? Try sending them here:
http://www.pw.org/content/nano_fiction_4

Nano Book Report

a.k.a. Lit-Crit.

The Savage Detectives, Part 1

Restless innocent adopts himself to confederation of poetbums in Mexico City. He becomes schoolquit, lovemade, pimphostage before escaping with Ulises, Arturo, and the little prostitute.


...Thought I'd let you guys know: a lit journal based out of an STL uni is still seeking poetry submissions for their next issue. You don't even have to waste postage since they want all electronic submissions. They've got a Missouri slant, but I'm sure you all could find one of your pieces that's vaguely midwestern (think meth and thunderstorms, winds that carry cows and hops from someplace over the rainbow). Maybe some of us aren't into seeking publication, but I'm all about seeing your works in print. SO here's the link: http://www.lindenwood.edu/untamedInk/

Nano "Inspired By True Events" Fiction ???

"The Prairie Fire"

I followed the smoke to the rim of town, where it bruised the sky, where snowflake ashes dusted the windshield. Where saltwater splashed the dashboard.

"Pregnant Pause"
'I'm sorry, I don't know what's wrong,' she chokes. 'I don't either, but I have to go,' he tells her, pressing 'OFF' on the keypad.