You might think I’m exaggerating when I say I spent two hours reviewing the AWP events schedule to decide what I want to try to get to–on Thursday. But I’m not.

Put your manuscript in a drawer. Write your next novel. With experience comes …well, experience. Oh, and wisdom.

Professor Doug Rice, author of Dream Memoirs of a Fabulist and A Good Cuntboy is Hard to Find, (and more) was the second reader for my graduate thesis and a remarkable teacher of the craft of writing.

Did I write the first 50,000 words of my novel? Is that why I’ve been MIA from my blog for so long? Sadly, no. And, happily.

Issue 5 of Under the Gum Tree is beautiful and available for purchase.