Creating Historical Fiction
Note to reader: I am struck by the irony of my post Creating Historical Fiction that I planned for today. Start with the facts, I write, but if you want a richer, more powerful story, try converting your story into a fictionalized version. We’re living in a time when a president is attempting to stay…
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Three Books that Shaped “the Future” in Heart Wood
I’m often asked, “what influenced your creation of a dystopic future in Heart Wood ?” Although I’ve read speculative novels by amazing authors (think Margaret Atwood), my answer is always the same: The three dystopic novels forever branded into my memory are: “Earth Abides,” “The Great Bay,” and “Feed“ Each novel influenced how I wove…
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The Challenge of Zooming in the Mountains
It’s shivering cold inside the room where I’m about to take part in my first webinar panel about writing Heart Wood. If this had been old Japan during a freezing mountain winter, I might have kept warm by sitting at a table with a brazier of hot coals by my legs and a thick futon…
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Strategies for surviving crazy, uncertain times
Expand…Contract…Expand…Contract…that’s my experience of the yo-yo ride of these past few years. One moment I feel expanded and happy, then I check the news and become contracted and anxious. I think the terms expand and contract aptly describe how my body and mind have responded to what’s happening in so many arenas at once: divisive…
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Wildfires are our future?
The sun hides its fiery crimson ball behind the gray pall overhead and I can hardly make out the ghostly outline of pines beyond my window. Friends report the sky over San Francisco is a dystopic burnt orange. We’ve all been breathing smoky air for days along the entire west coast and as I write,…
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Heart Wood Interviewed!
A friend stopped me in the fruit isle of the grocery store recently and asked what I’m doing now that my book is published. Hanging out at the river? Reading? Cooking gourmet dinners? I chuckled and rolled my eyes. For authors, writing a book is only the tip of the iceberg. The real work comes…
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Where will the sea first enter San Francisco?
This is first in a series: Behind the Scenes of Heart Wood San Francisco 2075 – “San Franciscans were surprised by water falling from the sky. Most water crept in at them from the sea.” (Heart Wood, page 5) I originally wrote the opening scene for Amisha (year 2075) set amidst the rising sea levels propelled…
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Open House at shirleydickard.com
You’re invited to an Open House at the newly remodeled website dedicated to my eco-novel: Heart Wood – Four Women, for the Earth, for the Future. Years ago, when Heart Wood was in its infancy, I created my first website and blog. Having since outgrown the space, I’ve been working with a web designer to…
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Hold on for my announcement!
If you recently received posts from my website/blog dated 6.13.20, please just ignore and delete. They should have been tests to me, not made public. You will soon get an official announcement from me of my new website and blog. I can’t wait to share it with you, so do watch for it!
Welcome
Welcome to my blog, where I gather thoughts on Heart Wood, the environment, eco-fiction, feminism, writing, and more.
Heart Wood has Arrived!
Now that social isolation has become the norm, how about curling up with a good book? The coronavirus will continue to alter our lives in unimaginable ways, but at least we can still enjoy reading! Heart Wood will transport you into the lives of three women of the past, present, and future as they cope…
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Welcome to Heart Wood!
What happened to The Desk – the epic novel I’ve been working on for nearly ten years? It has a new title – Heart Wood – and it’s very close to being published! Let me fill you in. Heart Wood was actually the original title before my working title of The Desk. After several early readers spontaneously suggested that Heart Wood would be a perfect…
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Sierra Muses Press Launch
Join me Sunday, May 19th, in Grass Valley, for the launching of the new Sierra Muses Press. I will be reading a preview from my upcoming book, “The Desk” which I hope to have published by the end of this year! (Note: “The Desk” was the former working title for “Heart Wood” before 2020)
Dams: A 19th Century Solution to a 21st Century Problem That Won’t Go Away
Dams have been in the news and on my radar again. Just as I’m revising the chapter in my book about fighting a dam back in 1990 (yes, the novel’s still in progress, but I’m pedaling faster now that I’m working with a writing coach!), here in Northern California the Oroville Dam spillway break caused…
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Despair
Wednesday, November 9, 2016 I stare into the open refrigerator, my bare toes curling on the cold linoleum. I need comfort food. Where’s the custard, or mashed potatoes, or macaroni and cheese? I woke up feeling punched in the stomach. This is not my morning; he is not my president; this is not happening. Joe…
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