Other genres, other rooms

A friend of mine just started writing his first cookbook.  I have published a couple of recipes online.  It's gotten me thinking about other types of writing we all could do.  If you veer away from your normal form of writing (prose, poetry, graphic), what else might you feel inclined to turn to? It's always good to keep your options open.

Writer's Block

Have you ever had writer's block?  How did you overcome it?

Writer's High

I'm coming down off the high that is an acceptance.  That's the thing about writing, it gives you these highs.  The other great high that writing gives you is that feeling you get when you've written something you know is good.  And even if it isn't really good, it's something you're very happy with.  I actually experienced both highs yesterday, maybe a banner day in my writing life.  So, question of the day is: what is your favorite writer's high? 

Writing Advice

Running my fingers through the pile of jewels that are my notes from AWP (Assoc. Writers/Writing Programs).  What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?

Writer's Conferences

Heading off to Los Angeles today for AWP.  What is your favorite Writer's Conference or event?

My favorites include the Iowa Summer Writing Festival, Cape May, Philadelphia and last, but certainly not least, The Rosemont Writing Retreat.

Missed week

A missed week on my blog due to a funeral in the family.  The event is generating a good deal of prose in my head, but my fingers hesitate to do the actual writing.  I feel stuck, and have decided to give myself time to heal.

Have you noticed or experienced an effect on your writing after a personal tragedy?

Fan Letter

This week I had the very pleasant experience of receiving an e-mail from an author to whom I wrote expressing my admiration of his book.  He very kindly sent me a list of books I might find helpful, since our subject matter comes from the same time period in ancient history.  Of course, he is in England, and I can find none of the books he suggested here in my local library.  Thank god for the information super highway.  I'm sure I can get them somewhere.

So, have you ever written a fan letter to another author, and did they respond?