Carrie Golus

Category: Fiction

  • Woke in Florida, Part Two

    Ever since I learned what a wake-up scene is, I’ve been obsessed with trying to think of books that start that way. So far I’ve been able to think of three. 1 – Most famously, Die Verwandlung by Franz Kafka. Its first line:Als Gregor Samsa eines Morgens aus unruhigen Träumen erwachte, fand er sich in…

  • Woke in Florida

    Last weekend I attended a terrific writing conference sponsored by the Orange County Public Library System in Orlando, Florida. It was one of the most interesting and helpful writing conferences I’ve ever attended—and it was online, open to anyone, and free. I have never even been to Orlando. But thank you! Among the many things…

  • Magical thinking

    At the beginning of the year, every year, I think of this amazing quote by religious historian Wendy Doniger, who taught at UChicago’s Divinity School for decades: “The idea that you’re suddenly going to change is a magical idea.” Her quote is from a 2013 article in the Atlantic with a headline I wish I…

  • WORDS FOR SALE

    #50PreciousWords 2023 Official Contest Post “Words for sale!” calls the Wordman. “Ten-dollar words! Discombobulated! Fisticuffs! Quixotic!” I wish I could have a new word. But I only have 50 cents. “Anything cheap, sir?” “Final sale. Past their best-by date—groovy, mellow, hep, diddly-squat … ” Groovy! I grab it. He throws in neato for free. **…