/FICTOGRAPHY/ def. — The intersection of photography (submitted by readers) and fiction (written by me!). A few years ago, I executed a writing challenge whereby readers submitted travel photos they took, and I would write the story that I imagined went along with that photograph. Today, as I write this, my students are engaged in…
Childhood Magic: The Hill with the Rock
I grew up in a ranch style home in Bowie, Maryland. The yard was large, and contained a big hill in the back. In the winter, our family and neighbors would go sledding in our yard, until before long, the entire neighborhood was partaking in the fun. The toboggan was filled with adults and children…
Conversations with My Daughter: Breakfast with Michael Bublé
In honor of Michael Bublé‘s concert tonight in Washington, D.C., and to toast that my daughter and I will be attending this concert together now that she is a teenager who loves going to concerts, I thought I’d repost one of my favorite blogs from 2012. My daughter was 10 at the time and has…
Update on My (currently unnamed) WIP
On Friday night, I reached over 71,000 words on my #WIP (work in progress). I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love the direction change I made with this story back in December. Now, the novel has glue and a backbone and characters I wish were my friends. I still have a…
A Valentine’s Poem
What the heck. How about a little Valentine’s poem written by yours truly? Happy Valentine’s Day, you all. I hope it’s a great one. * * The Part That Came After | by Stephanie Verni Lovely, lovely… Thoughts of you gallup through my mind On a rollercoaster of ifs and whats And then there was…
Three Important Tips Writers Should Always Remember
Two of these tips I want you to remember are from writers—Mark Twain and E.B. White; the other one above is from Steve Jobs. There’s always “stuff” going on in our heads as we write: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Sometimes when our writing is thriving and it’s good, we feel fantastic. Other…
Anxious for Spring
Usually by the time March rolls around, I’m more than ready for spring. Unfortunately, for those of us in Maryland, spring really doesn’t begin until late April or early May. It’s been that bad for the last few years that I’ve still be in my tall boots on May 5. Today, I took a little…
And Here’s to You, Mr. Robinson
Yesterday, we learned that Orioles great and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson had passed away. He was 83. I was lucky enough to get to know Frank during my time at the Orioles. His humor, willingness to be helpful, and energy was a positive force within the Orioles organization. When you learn someone has passed…
Keep Your Head Down
I’ve learned a few things from being an independent author and as someone who loves to write and tell stories, and it’s this: Just Do Your Thing. When I saw this quote from Michael Connelly, I paused, and then posted it on my Instagram page, where I post often about writing (and some fashion, too!)….
Fashion Friday, Week 1
Let me preface this with this statement: I just like fashion; fashion should be fun. Ever since I was little, I’ve always loved clothes. The semester has begun, and I think I’m going to attempt the challenge of a “no repeat” semester. Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t wear the same thing, it just means…
Book Review: A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline
* After reading Christina Baker Kline’s wonderful book Orphan Train last year, I knew I had to read her newest book, A Piece of the World, based on a woman named Christina who was supposedly a muse of Andrew Wyeth’s and the subject in his painting Christina’s World (pictured above). Knowing little about art except…
Fiction & Fashion.
I’ll keep this brief. FASHION A few years ago a former student of mine challenged me to do a “no repeat” fashion challenge whereby you couldn’t repeat the exact same outfit during the semester on campus. That means, Monday through Friday, each day it has to be different…it cannot be the EXACT same. I kind…
