An essay I started a few years ago is in the current Bluestem online quarterly. “Kingfisher” stemmed from a sighting of one on a morning walk in Costa Rica, where I now live.
It is interesting to me how essays evolve. That one started out as pure observation and a memory from my childhood. The piece sat in my Scrivener project titled Essays in Progress and there are quite a few in that file. I’d pull it out now and again and look at it. I felt it lacked focus and really, taken on it own, it had no point. I have a lot of those kinds of pieces, too. Over time, though, it began to dawn on me that the sighting and the memory did have a point, and the essay grew from there.
I cannot imagine trying to crank creative essays out on a schedule or deadline. Mine seem to have a life of their own and their evolution is slow. Three, four or five drafts is not uncommon for me. And, even when I think they have a point or they are finished, editors do not always agree with me. So, I was very happy this one found a home.
I am in quite good company at Bluestem. The spring issue is full of wonderful poetry, fiction, and, of course, nonfiction. Click here to see all the contributors.
