Author Archives: Lida Bushloper

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About Lida Bushloper

writer and poet

Work?

Mark Twain has a wonderful quote in Tom Sawyer after the scene where Tom has seduced his friends into helping him whitewash the fence. “Work consists of whatever a body is OBLIGED to do, and that Play consists of whatever … Continue reading

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Third, Fourth, . . .

I saw a new market call and thought I had the perfect essay in inventory. This short piece had been published in a small local market several years ago, which did not disqualify it for this new market. At that … Continue reading

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Time Off? What’s That?

I’d like to report that I had a relaxing, peaceful escape from writing over the Thanksgiving holiday. I’d like to, but I can’t. I did have a wonderful day, visiting friends who just moved into a beach house a couple … Continue reading

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The Moving Deadline

For me, deadlines are essential. They keep me moving along on projects, keep me on track, establish a fixed end point. But, sometimes they jump around. Occasionally, a market will extend a deadline, for mysterious reasons. This can be a … Continue reading

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Are You a Hoarder?

Okay, not a regular hoarder with empty tin cans and decades old newspapers. Think of it this way: do you have pretty underwear tucked away in a drawer, waiting for that perfect romantic date to wear it? Do you have … Continue reading

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Scared?

Today is Halloween. You already know that. These days, fewer people are afraid of supernatural beings. But we writers still have fears–the oft-acknowledged rejection, exposure, failure. We already know we have to act in spite of those fears in order … Continue reading

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Bravery

I gained a new follower a few days ago. Normally, this would be a cause for jubilation. But this time, I felt anxiety. The new follower is someone I know slightly. So what? I have lots of followers I know … Continue reading

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It’s Not My Fault

I spent the last few days in Toronto at Bouchercon, the be-all and end-all of mystery writers and readers conventions in Toronto. I had vowed I would not bring back a suitcase full of books. Any of you who read … Continue reading

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You’re a Writer, So . . .

. . . you get the same reactions we have been getting since the creation of dirt. We get questions: where do you get your ideas? We get “help.” “Boy, we should team up and I’ll tell you my life … Continue reading

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Make it Stop! (Not Really)

Once again I’m overwhelmed by piles and shelves of unread books. I shouldn’t say, “once again,” because it’s actually a permanent condition. I could never live long enough to read them all, especially since I can’t resist adding to the … Continue reading

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