My stepmother was very generous in her old age, giving money to charities that came in the mail. After she passed away, I was given the task to terminate all her contributions. Those who received my calls expressed regret, but also appreciation for all that she had given.
I give sparingly, and definitely not to charities. I have a different view about organizations. My money is spent on knowledge. I pay dearly, with my savings, to Alan Rinzler, who edited The Painted Skin. From his editing I learn how to bring a theme forward and keep it focused. Unlike poetry, which is concise, a book-length work is far more intricate and demanding in form.
Alan Kaufman, my teacher in prose writing, said every writer should have a book-length work. A book of something is easier to sell than poetry. He may be right, but I’m still looking for that illusive agent, someone who doesn’t want my money.
