Katiaesque

  • The Three Pillars of Fiction: Desire, Truth and Change

    Last week, I talked about all the wonderful learning gems I picked up at the Vermont College of Fine Arts during my first semester. But it’s hard to include everything in one post. Here is more, and this time I’d like to get more specific. I usually don’t blog all that much about the mechanics…

    Katia Raina

  • Writing Under Pressure

    Celebration! Fireworks! Last night I sent in the second packet of writing work to my Vermont College of Fine Arts advisor, the tough, ther wise, the formidable Tim Wynnne-Jones. Two down. Only eighteen more to go. Ha! And yet, everyone who has been through the program  says these two years and twenty packets pass so fast. Very soon…

    Katia Raina

  • Homework Update

    Spring? Yeah, right! What was I thinking? Two days ago the world around me was wind, the sky lashing rain, and now the yard is covered with soft, beautiful, unwelcome snow. Oh, the foolishness of premature celebrations! As one Russian proverb says, “Don’t say ‘hop!’ before you jump over.” I don’t have time for a long or particularly thoughtful post,…

    Katia Raina

  • A Good Reader Is Like A Dementor: Writing Wisdom From Rebecca Stead

    I’ve been meaning to do this little post for a month now, following my glorious January residency. What can I say? It’s a good thing I’m no longer in journalism! Anyway — here it goes. Rebecca Stead, middle-grade author of Newbery-winning “When You Reach Me” and most recently, “Liar & Spy” came to Vermont last month…

    Katia Raina

  • Homework

    Dear Magic Mirror subscribers, old and new! I just wanted to show you: this is what my next month is going to look like. This is only some of it, mind you. Another pile of books is coming my way from the library shortly. (Two different libraries). But yeah, this is it. One pile you…

    Katia Raina

  • I Am Back!

    Yes, I am! I can’t believe it! Did I just return yesterday? When I think about it logically, and trace the dates back, it sounds right. Mostly though, all the days are still kind of jumbled up together. Am I dreaming or something? No, I can’t be. Because I’m more awake than I have been…

    Katia Raina

  • Vermont College of Fine Arts: The Adventure Begins Today!

    Wow! Today is the day, my lovely friends. A big suitcase is packed with books, pens and winter gear, and the family are left with detailed instructions on how to survive without me for the next ten days, as this mama writer embarks on an amazing adventure. Not counting fairytale-like stories and plays I penned as a child, or…

    Katia Raina