I recently had a wonderful conversation with Patrick Greenwood, discussing my book and our outlook on the craft of writing. We shared useful insights and a bit of humor about the aging process. I hope you enjoy it! YouTube won't allow me to include a link here, so please enter these key words into the YouTube search engine: Writer on Espresso Podcast Thank you for your readership! If you have a comment, or just want to keep in touch, please reach me at: palmer.literary@gmail.com Cheers ..read more

First, there were the many banners, undulating from windows high above as black sedans, the proud vehicles of state, drove slowly for all to behold and regard with wonder. Then, girls with flowers in their hair skipped unhurried, as sidewalk cafés brimmed in the afternoon with patrons–and always the uniforms hinting at darker things. There, in prosaic scenes, was the elegance of a nightmare. After the dogs and I arrived in Flagstaff, Arizona for a stopover, I set up the RV in a refreshing bit of chill, cooked a burger for dinner, and watched a documentary about the Second World War, perhaps f ..read more

Perhaps you feel as I do about Gymnopédie No. 1, regarding it as a melody of the mind possessed of a certain sadness, yet radiant and peaceful, as well. In any event, please digress momentarily to enjoy it. Gymnopédie No. 1 Yes, if you are American, and remember it as the background music for a cough lozenge commercial, you are correct, and tragically so. The melody was commandeered by advertisers on many occasions, becoming a theme of commerce for years. Happily, however, the piece experienced this without losing its aural impact. As for its timeless quality, Gymnopédie No. 1 ..read more

Teach your writing students to feel the visceral aspects of life, to trace their subjects with powerful word images, and you have helped them to succeed. Herein we find the essence of communication, the ability to capture perception and create immersive reading experiences across the disciplines. (My Thought for the Day) Our Story Begins Many years ago, I had a history teacher who pushed the bounds of 1980s education, challenging us--a group of cynical teenagers--to experience the horrors of the Vietnam War in immersive fashion, one paperback book and guest lecturer at a time. If I recall cor ..read more

The Voice of Leaves On a very strange occasion, a woman screamed with considerable power, her voice tearing through the air of late morning. The setting was an urban park, not unknown to unbalanced individuals. Screams, loud cries of sorrow, would erupt on occasion and reverberate through canyon walls and otherwise quiet neighborhoods. Yet, this situation was distinct for its many nuances, and, even now, remains uppermost in my memory. There she was, like the image of primordial Eve, a Cherokee woman of lithe stature screaming at (and through) all four of us, as we approached her through a lan ..read more

Greetings and many thanks to you for sharing your coffee time with me, enjoying the latest essays and collages. I greatly appreciate you! As you know, the dogs and I are wintering in Southern Arizona, eagerly awaiting our springtime trip to Utah, Idaho, and Oregon. Contact Information: I apologize to those who could not contact me through the site. You can reach me at the following address: palmer.writing.services@gmail.com If you enjoy the content, or just wish to say hello, please reach out. Cheers and have a wonderful day ..read more

As a stationary expression of time, a photograph suggests the arrival of memories, not necessarily of the prosaic kind but those that speak to deeper emotions. Fragrance does much the same. However, unlike olfactory remembrances, pictures enliven the mind's eye with concrete images, which, under the right circumstances, invoke the glory of imaginary landscapes. But more than this--much more--a photo reminds us to appreciate each moment, as time flees into an ever-deepening distance. Sunlight and cloud shadows moving across the mountains; Subtle growth of limbs and a child's changing face; The ..read more

I had never before seen the crested head of the Cardinal in its glory—at least, not in person. Though familiar with the red birds, as most are by way of photos, I had yet to see them darting through morning air or perching in trees, distinguished by their regal bearing. These birds—specifically, the males of the species—contrast the earthtones of desert life, the rock formations and cacti that cover the land, and, in glorious fashion, accent the Arizona sky with their brightness—which is where our story begins.    Although the geologic features and plants here are rich in texture, t ..read more

For those who enjoy creative writing exercises, I have included a link to one of my workshop packages. I designed the program two years ago, teaching my students to incorporate art into their writing process. If you feel inspired to explore the program, enjoy! If you prefer to pass and read new essays instead, I will upload next week. As always, I thank you for reading my work. You are much appreciated! Please click the blue button to access the material. Cheers! A. M. Palmer Picture the Story ..read more

On November 18, 1978, nearly all 900 members of the Peoples Temple in Guyana, a "church" founded by Jim Jones (an un-ordained pastor), died in an apparent mass suicide. I remember well the news coverage from that time. So, on the occasion that I discovered the Jones Family Memorabilia Collection, in the archives of San Diego State University, I was delighted and eager to explore its contents. The collection is deeply fascinating, consisting of numerous photos from the Peoples Temple in San Francisco, as well as images from their famed and tragic Guyana phase. Here, I entertain reflections on ..read more