All the details of the life and the quirks and the friendships
can be laid out for us, but the mystery of the writing will remain.–V.S. Naipaul
America is an enormous frosted cupcake in the middle of millions of starving people.”
– Gloria Steinem
“Letters from a Small State” is non-fiction, experiential writing which looks at the idea of “American identity” by examining the details of daily life.
FAQ
What will I find here? Some of it is rant and humor. Some is poetry and “small stones.” Some is photography and essay. Here and there you will find reviews.
But what is promoted here is what I call “beautiful writing, ” or, writing and thinking which:
- pushes the boundaries of genre
- examines choices and beliefs
- is emotionally packed
- is written in with detail.
Who writes here? Some posts are written by me (see below) and others by guest contributors.
What is a “Big Question”? ”Big Question” is a series that poses the same question over the course of a month, and looks for as many different ways to answer it as we can find… from guests and from myself.
Where are the cool photos from? The posts include both my original photography, which I often take on my iPhone 4 using the great app, Hipstamatic. Sometimes I alter my images, usually on Picasa or on Picnik.
I offer my ‘Please Use’ Policy: All of my photos are “please use.” Feel free to use them in your personal or commercial endeavors (as long as you’re not selling them specifically). Just credit “Elizabeth Howard at Letters from a Small State” and link back to my site.
Please note: images that are not mine I grab from Flickr Creative Commons.
Who is Elizabeth G. Howard?
I am a poet, a journalist, a mother, and a detail picker. I have been thinking and writing about American identity since 2004 when I moved to London. Probably before that.
I’ve been blogging since 2004, starting with my journal “Letters from London, and Elsewhere.”
I am the creator of Demand Poetry; I explore the idea of home through poetry and photography for the Stratford Patch; and I write regularly on the international writing community, Writing our Way Home.
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I am: Elizabeth Howard, writer, broken guitar string, Emmylou consumer, displaced Iowan, lost Londoner, Disney Ducktorate holder, Facebook insulter.
I like: Sound of Music singalong, Oscar theme parties, straight-hair wigs, direct statements, Amsterdam licorice, finding your Muppet, spoon and fork.
I steal: style, never substance; slices, never the pie.
I never: stay put, let go, stop loving.
I have: vivid dreams, reluctant minivan, Betty cat, Canadian counterpart, 4 decades. Plus.
I dream: Dominican moonrise, pink Vespas, white goats nibbling green cheese hillsides, toolbelt afternoons.
I hate: Red-ink reinforcers, whispers behind hands, too much frosting–not enough cake.
Would that I were: Eddie Izzard.
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Questions? Want to Submit?
Submissions and queries are warmly accepted. Please see the Contact and Submission page to submit or enquire.
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