Two weeks ago, I was contacted by Lynda Williams, editor of the Clarion Writer’s Craft. The Writer’s Craft is the official blog of the Clarion Foundation, which is the fundraising arm of the Clarion Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers’ Workshop. Posts cover a wide range of topics, from art and craft to business and more.

Lynda had read the page on my website, “About the Bird,” which discusses the dead bird that was found in our chimney and its ensuing impact on my writing; she invited me to write a piece about sadness and its importance in the craft as well as its connection to ghost stories.

An invitation I was honored to accept. What’s funny is that I had literally, the night before, had just gone through a very interesting experience which illustrated exactly what I wanted to say.

The piece, “The Absence of Things” was published Monday, June 25, as Writer’s Craft #78. Here is the link: http://clarionfoundation.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/writers-craft-78-the-absence-of-things/

I encourage anyone who writes out there to sign up and follow the Clarion Writer’s Craft. I’ve been reading it for awhile now, and it always features an eye-opening and inspirational gem.